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The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

Play trailer Poster for The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell 1955 1h 40m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
U.S. Col. Billy Mitchell (Gary Cooper) is a decorated World War I veteran airman frustrated by the military's mistreatment of the flying program. With military brass and many in the government still favoring battleships, Mitchell sees funding cut to aviation, resulting in the unnecessary deaths of pilots. When Mitchell publicly accuses his superiors of ineptitude, he is court-martialed. At the trial, Congressman Frank Reid (Ralph Bellamy) advises Mitchell, who faces Maj. Guillion (Rod Steiger).

Critics Reviews

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Geoff Andrew Time Out 02/05/2018
With Cooper as the crusading officer, one is never in any doubt as to the correctness and sincerity of his views (Mitchell was posthumously rehabilitated in 1947), while Steiger puts in one of his inimitably flashy performances as the prosecuting attorney Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 10/23/2007
The picture is a real kick in the shins for the cult of blind military obedience and the lesson which is laid on the line relates to Pearl Harbor. Go to Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap 10/05/2020
4/5
A quintessential Gary Cooper role in this portrait of the forgotten father of modern aviation, the sort of picture Golden Age Hollywood churned out with surprising speed and skill. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/24/2012
B-
Though not one of Preminger's stronger films, it's still worth seeing this fact-based courtroom drama starring Gary Cooper. Go to Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion 09/05/2009
The only certainty that remains is the need to ask questions Go to Full Review Film4 10/23/2007
Away from the courtroom, the film is less riveting, though Cooper is consistently impressive. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D @RT35616104 06/29/2023 Too slow to really work. See more van h @RT28829147 10/31/2020 This is a classic. Well acted and follows the true story fairly well. This was much less biased than Judgement at Nuremberg. A must see. See more 05/15/2014 A film worth adding to your collection. See more 05/23/2010 There is not much to dislike about this movie, great cast and director, excellent screenplay, superb production. I did find it slow moving at times, and somehow this film doesn't soar to the greatness it should have. See more 05/23/2010 THE COURT-MARTIAL OF BILLY MITCHELL (1955) See more 12/25/2009 Good courtroom drama, but Gary Cooper is a little too laid-back and is completely upstaged by Rod Steiger in their scene together. Early role also for the lovely Elizabeth Montgomery of 'Bewitched' fame! See more Read all reviews
The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

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Cast & Crew

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Otto Preminger

Director

Gary Cooper

Col. Billy Mitchell

Charles Bickford

Gen. Jimmy Guthrie

Ralph Bellamy

Congressman Frank R. Reid

Rod Steiger

Maj. Allan Guillion

Elizabeth Montgomery

Margaret Lansdowne

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The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis U.S. Col. Billy Mitchell (Gary Cooper) is a decorated World War I veteran airman frustrated by the military's mistreatment of the flying program. With military brass and many in the government still favoring battleships, Mitchell sees funding cut to aviation, resulting in the unnecessary deaths of pilots. When Mitchell publicly accuses his superiors of ineptitude, he is court-martialed. At the trial, Congressman Frank Reid (Ralph Bellamy) advises Mitchell, who faces Maj. Guillion (Rod Steiger).
Director
Otto Preminger
Producer
Milton Sperling
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 31, 1955, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 19, 2018
Runtime
1h 40m