The High and the Mighty

Watch The High and the Mighty

"The 2-Year Best-Seller Sensation! The Year's Greatest Cast!"
  • NR
  • 1954
  • 2 hr 27 min
  • 6.7  (6,349)

"The High and the Mighty" is a classic 1954 American aviation-themed film directed by William A. Wellman and produced by John Wayne's own company, Batjac Productions. The movie stars some of the greatest actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood, including John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Laraine Day, Robert Stack, Jan Sterling, and Phil Harris. The film was based on a novel of the same name by Ernest K. Gann.

The plot of the film follows the passengers and crew of a commercial airliner on a trans-Pacific flight from Honolulu to San Francisco. The aircraft, a DC-4, is piloted by the veteran of World War II and seasoned airline veteran, Captain John Sullivan (John Wayne). Among the passengers are a troubled businessman, Humphrey Agnew (John Howard), a grief-stricken widow, Lydia Rice (Laraine Day), and a famous singer, Miss Spalding (Jan Sterling). Also on board are a suave gambler, Dan Roman (Robert Stack), a nurse, Mary Holst (Claire Trevor), and a Japanese war bride, May Holst (Miyoshi Umeki), among others.

Despite the unexpected weather conditions, the flight starts smoothly, but soon things go awry. One of the engines catches fire, and the pilots are forced to make an emergency landing on a remote island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The passengers and crew quickly realize that they may be stranded indefinitely, and tensions begin to arise as they struggle to survive in a hostile environment.

As the days pass, the characters reveal their fears, secrets, and insecurities, and relationships are formed and broken. Captain Sullivan, whose wife died in a plane crash, tries to keep his cool and be strong for his passengers, but he too is haunted by his past. Dan Roman, the co-pilot, has a secret agenda and a dark past, but he proves his worth as a skilled and resourceful aviator in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, the passengers face their own challenges, as they confront their mortality and the uncertainty of their fate.

"The High and the Mighty" is a tense and riveting film, with great performances by the cast. John Wayne is at his charismatic best as the heroic Captain Sullivan, and Claire Trevor shines as the compassionate nurse who becomes his confidante. Robert Stack delivers a nuanced and complex performance as the co-pilot with a troubled past, and Laraine Day is touching as the grief-stricken widow who finds solace in her fellow passengers.

The film is also notable for its remarkable score, composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, which includes the memorable title theme that became a hit song. The theme, played on the whistle by the characters throughout the film, is a haunting and evocative melody that captures the mood of the film perfectly.

In conclusion, "The High and the Mighty" is a classic example of the aviation genre, a gripping drama that explores the human condition in the face of danger and uncertainty. It is a timeless film that showcases the talents of some of the greatest actors and filmmakers of the era and remains an unforgettable cinematic experience.

The High and the Mighty is a 1954 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.

The High and the Mighty
Description
Where to Watch The High and the Mighty
The High and the Mighty is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV Channels, FuboTV, The Roku Channel, EPIX, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent The High and the Mighty for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1954
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    2 hr 27 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.7  (6,349)