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Aces High

Aces High

High above the trenches 14 days is a long life...This is the 15th day!

19765.91h 54m

Overview

The first World War is in its third year and aerial combat above the Western Front is consuming the nation's favored children at an appalling rate. By early 1917, the average life-span of a British pilot is less than a fortnight. Such losses place a fearsome strain on Gresham, commanding officer of the squadron. Aces High recreates the early days of the Royal Flying Corps with some magnificently staged aerial battles, and sensitive direction presents a moving portrayal of the futilities of war.

Directed by Jack Gold
Written by Howard Barker
Produced by Benjamin Fisz, Jacques Roitfeld
Box OfficeBudget: $1.3M0

Top Cast

Malcolm McDowell

Malcolm McDowell

Maj. John Gresham

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer

Capt. 'Uncle' Sinclair

Simon Ward

Simon Ward

Lt. Crawford

Peter Firth

Peter Firth

Lt. Stephen Croft

David Wood

David Wood

Lt. 'Tommy' Thompson

John Gielgud

John Gielgud

Headmaster

Trevor Howard

Trevor Howard

Lieutenant Colonel Silkin

Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson

Major Lyle

Ray Milland

Ray Milland

Brigadier General Whale

Gilles Béhat

Gilles Béhat

Captain Beckenauer

Themes & Keywords

post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)world war ipilotroyal flying corps (rfc)dogfightsquadronair battleflying acehorrors of warwestern front1910sfear of deathfighter pilotsleadership and pressure

About Aces High

Aces High is a action, drama, war film released in 1976 exploring themes of post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), world war i, pilot, royal flying corps (rfc), dogfight, squadron. Directed by Jack Gold, it stars Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer, Simon Ward. The first World War is in its third year and aerial combat above the Western Front is consuming the nation's favored children at an appalling rate. By early 1917, the average life-span of a British pilot is less than a fortnight. Such losses place a fearsome strain on Gresham, commanding officer of the squadron. Aces High recreates the early days of the Royal Flying Corps with some magnificently staged aerial battles, and sensitive direction presents a moving portrayal of the futilities of war.

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