Acting
Sterling Hayden's jawline deserves its own billing.
Practical Effects
Real carrier footage—no CGI, just actual terrifying landings.
Director
Lesley Selander
Sterling Hayden
Commander Dan Collier
Richard Carlson
Lt. (j.g.) Joe Rodgers
William Phipps
Red Kelley
John Bromfield
Ens. Snakehips McKay
Keith Larsen
Ens. Barney Smith / Barney Oldfield
William Schallert
Ens. Longfellow
Phyllis Coates
Dorothy Collier
Dave Willock
Willie
Walter Coy
Air Group Commander
Todd Karns
Judge
William Tannen
Commander (uncredited)
James Best
Radio Operator
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Sterling Hayden was a real WWII OSS operative who smuggled guns to Yugoslav partisans—this was basically his day off.
Released during Korea but set in WWII, this helped Americans process one war through the 'cleaner' lens of another.
US
