Major Daniel Kirby takes command of a squadron of Marine fliers just before they are about to go into combat. While the men are well meaning, he finds them undisciplined and prone to always finding excuses to do what is easy rather than what is necessary. The root of the problem is the second in command, Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin. Griff is the best flier in the group but Kirby finds him a poor commander who is not prepared to make the difficult decision that all commanders have to make - to put men in harm's way knowing that they may be killed.
Direction
Ray's expressionist eye elevates RKO B-material to art.
Acting
Robert Ryan's tortured loyalty steals every scene from Wayne.
Cinematography
Stock footage battles clash with intimate close-ups.
Director
Nicholas Ray
John Wayne
Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby
Robert Ryan
Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin
Don Taylor
Lt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe
Janis Carter
Joan Kirby
Jay C. Flippen
MSgt. Clancy, Line Chief
William Harrigan
Dr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran
James Bell
Colonel
Barry Kelley
Brigadier General
Maurice Jara
Shorty Vegay
Adam Williams
Lt. Bert Malotke
Carleton Young
Col. Riley
Michael St. Angel
Capt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer
Brett King
1st Lt. Ernie Stark
Gordon Gebert
Tommy Kirby
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ray and Wayne clashed constantly; Duke allegedly threatened to punch his 'arty' director.
The film's 'command problem' plot suspiciously mirrors real Marine Corps controversies—carefully buried under heroics.
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