Aces High

Aces High is a compelling British war film that was released in 1976. Directed by Jack Gold and starring talent including Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer, and Simon Ward, the film is an adaptation of the stage play "Journey's End" by R.C. Sherriff and takes a hard look at the harsh realities of war. However, it shifts the play's setting from the trenches of World War I to the skies above France in 1917, following the crew of a British Royal Flying Corps squadron as they battle German aircraft and personal pressures during the Great War.

Malcolm McDowell plays the role of Major John Gresham, a battle-weary squadron commander tasked not only with leading his flyers against the enemy, but also with keeping up morale in an atmosphere of constant tension and impending peril. Christopher Plummer, in a powerful secondary role, portrays Captain 'Uncle' Sinclair, a schoolmaster-turned-officer who tries to balance the grim nature of war with maintaining a compassionate connection to his comrades.

As the movie unfolds, we see the introduction of a fresh-faced new recruit, Lieutenant Stephen Croft, played by Peter Firth. Croft, who was Gresham's former school student, comes to the front full of youthful enthusiasm and idealistic bravado synonymous with the patriotism of that era. Simon Ward plays Lieutenant Crawford, a resilient and dedicated flyer, showcasing a contrasting approach towards the harsh realities of the war.

"Aces High" paints a stark, tension-filled depiction of life in the Royal Flying Corps, skillfully sidestepping the romantic stereotyping often seen in war films, choosing to focus instead on the human elements. Beyond the aerial dogfights, Gold delves deep into the psyche of these war-stricken servicemen, revealing their struggles with fear, fatigue, crisis of conscience, and lingering homesickness while living under constant threat of death. The inner conflict of the characters is as much part of the narrative as the raging war outside their base. The painful irony of the boys forced to grow up too quickly, from the euphoria of joining the war and a throbbing desire to serve their country, to the cracking under the relentless pressure and the shattering of their naivety forms the emotional crux of the movie.

Although the film does not draw back from showcasing tense, adrenaline-fueled air combat scenes, it is the ground sequences, filled with conversation, camaraderie, and anguish, that leave a more profound impact. The supposed sanctuary of their terrestrial base becomes a cauldron of pandemonium and breaking points. Splendid cinematography with careful attention to detail, coupled with a haunting music score, succeeds in immersing the viewer in the bleak reality of war.

McDowell, Plummer, and Ward bring an intricate mixture of humanity, hardness, and pragmatic fatalism to their roles. Fresh-faced Lt. Croft's journey from a jubilant, optimistic youth to a horrified, broken soul reflects the cost of war on the young men who were thrust into these extraordinary circumstances. The stellar ensemble cast does a remarkable job in conveying the haunting atmosphere that encapsulates the anxieties, fear, and turmoil of the wartime realities.

The film’s title, "Aces High," is a nod to the real historical fact that pilots who shot down several enemy aircrafts were known as "Aces," but beyond this, the film suggests a double entendre that reflects the high price these young men had to pay, both mentally and physically.

Although "Aces High" does not offer a soft-focus, glamorized rendition of the World War I aerial warfare, it does offer a multi-layered narrative that delves into various aspects of humanity under crisis, delivered by a powerful ensemble cast. It is a harrowing yet thoughtful examination of the cost of war, capturing the grim paradox of the bravery and futility that coexisted within the terrifying confines of aerial combat. The film, while dramatizing the horrors of war, puts the spotlight on the human faces behind the history, creating a piece that is real, raw, and resonant.

In summary, "Aces High" isn’t merely a war movie, but a poignant portrayal of the humans enveloped in the catastrophe, making it a classic of its kind. Its superb cast, emotional depth, and raw depiction of war make it a must-watch for those interested in historical dramas and war films.