Search - The High and the Mighty (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) on DVD

Landmark American Film that must be seen!

THE-GO-BETWEEN | Valencia, CA United States | 04/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tied up for years in the John Wayne estate has been the re-release of this 1954 movie, "The High and the Mighty". (which won the Academy Award for Best Song that year...look for a plaque at Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood when you visit there). As a child growing up in L.A. in the 50's and 60's, I remember the then RKO TV station Channel 9 would show this movie relentlessly for years on end. Then it all stopped. The movie vanished. And now it is being held hostage for some legal reason. It is a movie filled with surplatives though younger viewers might find the lack of hyberbolic special effects, sexual gymnastics, de riguer corporate disembowlment themes, blah blah....too unsurvivable for a start-to-finish viewing. It is a vintage 50's type movie...at its best.This is John Wayne's best movie, in my opinion. He is excellent...taking him out of the cowboy theme he ultimately became cemented into. I will always remember John Wayne in my mind as he was in this movie...especially the very last scene which alone is worth the price of admission. Fittingly, the Orange County Airport is named after John Wayne, who had a career early on of appearing in films with aviation themes. Ernest K. Gann, who penned the story, was an American Airlines pilot who churned out aviation novel, one after another. His equally famous novel that was made into an excellent movie, was "Fate is the Hunter". Both of these movies deal with an aircraft incident/accident. "The High and the Mighty" concentrates on the human dynamics of a flight crew and their maintenance base trying to cope with a mechanical problem en route over the longest single over-the-ocean route in the world: Honolulu to San Francisco. It is as dramatic and technically accurate as you could possibly get. In fact, "The High and the Mighty" had all the elements of the recent Jan. 31, 2000 Alaska Airlines crash northwest of Los Angeles. "Fate is the Hunter" meticulously examines the post accident phase of aircraft crash investigation. It is almost like a Hitchock movie in terms of suspense. I don't think this movie is available either and that is a shame since there is so much junk out there that is. Glenn Ford is the star of this movie.The exciting conclusion of "The High and the Mighty" stays with you forever...much like the ending of the movie "The Spirit of St. Louis" which starred James Stewart (also a great movie and is available)."The High and the Mighty" is a true aviator's movie...it has the feel and touch of a veteran pilot at the yoke, Ernest K. Gann. All of us down on the ground here can only hope and pray that the powers to be let this great, great American film out of the hanger and let her fly again....soon."

The High And The Mighty

Joseph Castiglione | USA | 04/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I originally viewed this film at it's debut in 1954. The memories are as seen from a 10 year old boy's eyes. I was overwhelemed by the color, the sound, and John Wayne. His character of Dan the co-pilot was excellent. Even than I could see he was the star. That was my first John Wayne movie. I was hooked. I lived in a large city, and I had never taken a flight anywhere. I became cosumed by airplanes. The different people, and how they were all connected to John's character. The most dramatic parts were, just as they past the point of no return, and the problems that ensuded. I was on the end of my seat for the rest of the movie. One part was very significant to me.When John smacks Robert Stack around to shake him up, " Fly the airplane" then he was ok. At the end after they have gone through the fire, engines falling off, and all their problems, they finally land. They are meet by the station manager. He looks at the aircraft, looks at John Wayne, and says, "You old pelican" John just walks away. The End. It took me many years to understand what the meaning was. The pelican is the best flying bird in the bird world. The theme music won an academy award.I was so moved I knew I wanted to be a pilot. I presued it throughout my life. The US Air Force, and Pan American Airways. I was very lucky to have acheived my dream. I am retired from flying now. It would give me gerat pleasure to see this movie with my childern.Joe Castiglione, Farmingdale, NY"

My favorite movie of all time!

Karen Brandow Sanchez | Albuquerque, NM | 10/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw The High and the Mighty in 1953 when I was only 12 years old. I decided then that I wanted to be an "airline stewardess". I never did achieve that goal. I have desparately tried to find the movie for years. It left such a wonderful memory and THAT MUSIC! I would also love to have the soundtrack from the movie. In the late 50's, I lived in Carmel and went to high school with two of Ernest K. Gann's kids. Had I only known then, I probably could have gotten a copy of the movie, very easily. I didn't know at the time that movie would always haunt me. I join all of you in waiting until the estate of John Wayne allows it to be released. Why they are focusing on witholding that particular movie of Mr. Wayne's, I find very interesting. PLEASE, PLEASE, ALLOW THE RELEASE! Does anyone out there know how we, as a group, could write and plead with the family!"

Can the wait finally be over ....?

TangoMike | Chicago, IL | 12/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Buy a backup copy or 2 as well.........

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