Robert Taylor is a WW II pilot. To bring things to a quicker halt, the decision is made to drop the biggest, most destructive bombs ever made on two cities in japan. They had yanked the U. S. into the war by attacking Pearl Harbor in december 1941. Some of the scenes are overly dramatic... I'd be surprised if Tibbets (Taylor) really argued with his superiors in that manner. And i'd be surprised if his wife (Eleanor Parker) was really that whiney about all the waiting she did while her husband was flying. We spend a lot of time discussing the many technical and mechanical problems that had to be worked out on the B29 bomber before it would make the journey to japan. Wikipedia says that Tibbetts had been asked to be the technical adviser for the film, but refused. Keep an eye out for Jim Backus... Mr. Howell ! Story by Beirne Lay; he had been a flyer during the war, and had various jobs in DC. Directed by Frank and Panama. It's pretty accurate, regarding the bomber, the mission, and what little information is discussed on the bomb itself. Nominated for two oscars. Best writing, best music.
Review of Above and Beyond
