Movie: Strategic Air Command

by Southwest April 2, 2023

Movie: Strategic Air Command Source Bing.com

Strategic Air Command is a 1955 American drama movie directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, June Allyson, and Frank Lovejoy. It tells the story of a former professional baseball player who is called back to duty as a reserve officer in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and is assigned to a unit which flies long-range nuclear bombers.

Plot

The movie begins with Robert “Dutch” Holland, a former professional baseball player, living in rural Nebraska with his wife, Sally, and their young son. Dutch is recalled to active duty for the United States Air Force Reserve, and is assigned to a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit flying long-range nuclear bombers. Initially, Dutch is reluctant to accept the assignment, as he fears it will take him away from his family and disrupt his career as a professional baseball player. However, his sense of duty eventually wins out, and he accepts the assignment.

Characters

The main characters in Strategic Air Command are Robert “Dutch” Holland, played by James Stewart, and his wife Sally, played by June Allyson. Dutch is a former professional baseball player who is recalled to active duty in the United States Air Force Reserve. Sally is a loving wife and mother who supports her husband’s decision to serve his country. Other characters include Colonel Joseph Turner, played by Frank Lovejoy, Dutch’s commanding officer; Sergeant Ralston, played by Jack Webb; and Captain Stanley, played by Barry Sullivan.

Themes

The movie Strategic Air Command explores several themes, including the personal cost of service, the importance of family, and the tension between duty and personal desires. Dutch is torn between his sense of duty to serve his country and his desire to remain with his family. Likewise, Sally must come to terms with the fact that her husband’s service will take him away from her and their son. The movie also explores the tension between the strategic mission of the SAC unit and its individual members, as Dutch must reconcile his desire to serve with his conflicting desires to remain with his family and pursue his professional baseball career.

Historical Accuracy

The movie Strategic Air Command is generally accurate in its depiction of the Strategic Air Command and its mission during the Korean War. The SAC was a strategic bombing organization, tasked with delivering nuclear weapons to their targets should the need ever arise. The movie accurately portrays the tension between the strategic mission of the SAC and its individual members, as well as the personal cost of service for its members and their families.

Reception

Strategic Air Command was generally well-received by critics. The New York Times praised the movie for its “tense, vivid action” and its “accurate portrayal of the Strategic Air Command”. The movie was also praised for its “dramatic intensity” and for its exploration of the personal cost of service. Strategic Air Command was a box office success, earning more than $3 million in its initial release.

Conclusion

Strategic Air Command is an entertaining movie which accurately portrays the Strategic Air Command and its mission during the Korean War. The movie explores several themes, including the personal cost of service, the importance of family, and the tension between duty and personal desires. The movie was generally well-received by critics and was a box office success. It is an enjoyable movie which is worth watching.