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IMDbPro

The High and the Mighty

  • 19541954
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
6K
YOUR RATING
John Wayne, Jan Sterling, David Brian, Laraine Day, Phil Harris, Robert Newton, Robert Stack, and Claire Trevor in The High and the Mighty (1954)
Theatrical Trailer from Warner Bros. Pictures
Play trailer2:53
1 Video
19 Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Drama
When a commercial airliner develops engine problems on a trans-Pacific flight and the pilot loses his nerve, it is up to the washed-up co-pilot Dan Roman to bring the plane in safely.When a commercial airliner develops engine problems on a trans-Pacific flight and the pilot loses his nerve, it is up to the washed-up co-pilot Dan Roman to bring the plane in safely.When a commercial airliner develops engine problems on a trans-Pacific flight and the pilot loses his nerve, it is up to the washed-up co-pilot Dan Roman to bring the plane in safely.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William A. Wellman
  • Writer
    • Ernest K. Gann(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Claire Trevor
    • Laraine Day
Top credits
  • Director
    • William A. Wellman
  • Writer
    • Ernest K. Gann(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Claire Trevor
    • Laraine Day
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 188User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 5 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    The High And Mighty
    Trailer 2:53
    The High And Mighty

    Photos19

    Karen Sharpe and Jack L. Warner celebrate the premiere of The High and the Mighty
    Karen Sharpe is accompanied by Tab Hunter to the premiere of "The High and the Mighty"
    Stars John Wayne, Karen Sharpe, and composer Dimitri Tiomkin celebrate the premiere of "The High and the Mighty"
    John Wayne, William Campbell, and Robert Stack in The High and the Mighty (1954)
    John Wayne and Robert Newton in The High and the Mighty (1954)
    Karen Sharpe and John Smith in The High and the Mighty (1954)
    Laraine Day in The High and the Mighty (1954)
    John Wayne and Claire Trevor in The High and the Mighty (1954)
    Robert Stack in The High and the Mighty (1954)
    John Wayne, Jan Sterling, David Brian, Laraine Day, Phil Harris, Robert Newton, Robert Stack, and Claire Trevor in The High and the Mighty (1954)
    John Wayne, Karen Sharpe, and John Smith in The High and the Mighty (1954)
    John Wayne, Jan Sterling, David Brian, Laraine Day, Phil Harris, Robert Newton, Robert Stack, and Claire Trevor in The High and the Mighty (1954)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Wayne
    John Wayne
    • Dan Romanas Dan Roman
    Claire Trevor
    Claire Trevor
    • May Holstas May Holst
    Laraine Day
    Laraine Day
    • Lydia Riceas Lydia Rice
    Robert Stack
    Robert Stack
    • John Sullivanas John Sullivan
    Jan Sterling
    Jan Sterling
    • Sally McKeeas Sally McKee
    Phil Harris
    Phil Harris
    • Ed Josephas Ed Joseph
    Robert Newton
    Robert Newton
    • Gustave Pardeeas Gustave Pardee
    David Brian
    David Brian
    • Ken Childsas Ken Childs
    Paul Kelly
    Paul Kelly
    • Donald Flahertyas Donald Flaherty
    Sidney Blackmer
    Sidney Blackmer
    • Humphrey Agnewas Humphrey Agnew
    Julie Bishop
    Julie Bishop
    • Lillian Pardeeas Lillian Pardee
    Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez
    Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez
    • Gonzalesas Gonzales
    • (as Gonzalez Gonzalez)
    John Howard
    John Howard
    • Howard Riceas Howard Rice
    Wally Brown
    Wally Brown
    • Lenny Wilby, navigatoras Lenny Wilby, navigator
    William Campbell
    William Campbell
    • Hobie Wheeleras Hobie Wheeler
    Ann Doran
    Ann Doran
    • Clara Josephas Clara Joseph
    John Qualen
    John Qualen
    • Jose Locotaas Jose Locota
    Paul Fix
    Paul Fix
    • Frank Briscoeas Frank Briscoe
    • Director
      • William A. Wellman
    • Writer
      • Ernest K. Gann(screenplay) (novel "The High and the Mighty")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Widely considered to be one of the best performances of John Wayne's career, and largely accidental at that: Wayne stepped into the part of Dan Roman at the eleventh hour, following Spencer Tracy's last-minute exit, merely to save the project (which Wayne himself was financing) from going over budget. The character of Roman - stricken, vulnerable and utterly unheroic - was the antithesis of Wayne's omnipotent screen persona, which forced him to play considerably outside his normal range. The result was a heartrending, unexpectedly touching portrayal.
    • Goofs
      Near the end of the film, Air Traffic Control clears the aircraft to land on "runway 39" This is impossible. Runways are numbered are within 10 degrees of their actual magnetic heading, and since there are only 360 degrees on the compass, the highest runway number possible is "runway 36".
    • Quotes

      Alsop: She may be put together with paste and flour, but that woman has something. What would you say it was?

      Miss Spalding: Practice. Plenty of practice.

    • Alternate versions
      The song "The High and the Mighty" (with lyrics) does not appear in the original 1954 release of this film. However, the studio wanted the hugely popular, chart-topping song to be nominated for the Best Song Academy Award that year. According to AMPAS regulations, the song could not be nominated because it was no officially sung in the film, even if would be heard elsewhere. To satisfy these regulations, a version was released towards the tail-end of 1954 for a few nights only with the song inserted into an Exit Music. The Academy then decided to give the song a nomination on the basis of these screenings. The song lost to "Three Coins in a Fountain".
    • Connections
      Edited into The FBI Story (1959)
    • Soundtracks
      The High and the Mighty
      Music by Dimitri Tiomkin
      Lyrics by Ned Washington
      Whistled by Muzzy Marcellino

    User reviews188

    Review
    Top review
    I've Got it
    I was just sitting in my barrack's room watching this film today and I am so lucky to have it. It is a priceless treasure and it is what a great film is all about. It is a classic and I wish that everyone could see it. I cannot believe how selfish and wrong John Wayne's family are to keep the public from seeing this classic. SHAME ON THEM!!!!They are hiding a priceless treasure from all of us. THIS IS JOHN WAYNE"S FINEST FILM EVER!!!!He won an Academy Award for True Grit and should have won one for his portrayal of Dan Roman in this film. In 1988, they re-released The Manchurian Candidate so that a whole new generation of film goers could enjoy its greatness. They should do the same to this film. They should get the finest film technicians available to do a restoration of it and release it so that people today could see what a great film is. Look at the movies they come out with today, all the filth and violence and filty words they use. It is a disgrace. All the actors in this film do an amazing job.
    helpful•56
    30
    • dtucker86
    • Sep 14, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 3, 1954 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • William A. Wellman's The High and the Mighty
    • Filming locations
      • San Francisco Municipal Airport, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Wayne-Fellows Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,470,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,334
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 27 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • 4-Track Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

    Related news

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    John Wayne, Jan Sterling, David Brian, Laraine Day, Phil Harris, Robert Newton, Robert Stack, and Claire Trevor in The High and the Mighty (1954)
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