A Gathering of Eagles

source: A Gathering of Eagles

Moviecut—A Gathering of Eagles

A Gathering of Eagles

Extremely unpleasant film has Rock Hudson (looking exhausted) playing Air Force Colonel assigned to head up Strategic Air Command Base near San Francisco, but once he gets there and starts cracking the whip, eliminating employees, nobody wants anything to do with this Boss from Hell. Hudson's character, ostensibly succumbing to a power-hungry ego, isn't given enough dimension; when we first meet him, genially conducting a tour, he's pleasant and eager to please. His sudden personality change isn't explained nor is it convincing; he becomes such a hard-nose that even his adoring wife wants to leave him! It's an insanely misguided picture, with the strategies of the Air Force used almost as a backdrop. The opening sequence, with Kevin McCarthy performing a war simulation ground-maneuver, seems to have little to do with what follows, and only Rod Taylor and Barry Sullivan come up with performances of interest. ** from ****

1t's 2021, found this to watch, made in 1963, 57 years ago. for me WOW Brilliant acting from everyone, brilliant storyline, beautiful planes. even today after Top Gun and later films, boy does this hold its on. Nearly 2 hours long, its a film that glues you to the screen Great film

Although Rock Hudson did finally excel in comedy genre as well as his one laudable effort in "Giant," during the scene where he is one-on-one performing with Robert Lansing (playing the maintenance sergeant) Hudson comes off a poor second. The quiet power demonstrated by Lansing simply staggers the imagination and causes it to catch its breath. It was not just a case of "underplaying," but rather bringing forth such great depth to the role's character and demeanor. One of the most underrated of our excellent American actors, it is a shame we couldn't have seen Robert Lansing in many more, larger roles on the big screen in Hollywood's truly major films. What did the casting directors miss here? Much, in my opinion.

This film has a hackneyed plot about the strains put on a marriage by nuclear weapons, but some of the scenes are little short of spectacular. The sequence where Hudson and Taylor are timing a mass takeoff of bombers and discussing the job performance of the base commander is truly awe-inspiring. The wind from the engine blast whips at their clothes and the noise is ear-shattering. Most of the film seems like it was written by complete hacks but there is a story buried under all the maudlin touches.

It was because of this movie I joined the USAF and actually worked in SAC on ICBMs for over 20 years. I was fortunate enough to be assigned to a base that had both B-52s, KC-135s, and ICBMs. Every time I see this movie it makes me proud of my association with the slogan "Peace is our Profession" and winning the "Cold War" without having to fire a shot. When my daughter asked me "What did you do in the War daddy" I showed her the movie and that said it all. This movie is timeless and gives those who were never in SAC a very small glimpse of this unique arm of the US Air Force. Every time I hear the PAS (Primary Alerting System)warble, it brought back memories. The ORIs (Operational Readiness Inspections) were just like I remembered them, including all the inspectors that fan out through the base. When this movie comes out on DVD, I'll be the first in line.

The story is of the everyday life of a wing commander and the decisions he must make regardless of his wife, friends, or extenuating circumstances. Col. Jim Caldwell (Rock Hudson) has a new task of shaping up a strategic air force wing during the '60s that is not up to snuff. On top of this, he is newly married and his wife (Mary Peach) does not know what she is in for. Can he maintain friendships or at least discipline when he, as you would expect, must turn ruthless in his endeavor? This movie is more than surface entertainment. As Col. Caldwell learns how to handle his job, we also learn something of the human condition, and soon are part of the story.

I remember seeing this movie with my Dad when I was a boy, and later visiting Beale AFB to see the Thunderbirds perform. Much later, I saw it again and realized how true to life it must have been in the early 60's. You really get the feel of what it must have been like on alert during the height of the Cold War. The acting was above par, and the flying scenes are excellent. Any aviation or USAF buff should not miss this film.