George Peppard is a German infantry soldier who takes an opportunity to learn how to fly planes and joins an aerial unit during WWI. The fairly aristocratic pilots see themselves as chivalrous knights of the air and look down on Peppard's working class origins. Peppard cares not for chivalry and ruthlessly pursues the titular medal awarded for 20 confirmed kills.
I don't like this film. I'll grant that it's a handsomely mounted Cinemascope production with some pretty amazing aerial biplane photography, but it all hinges on an intentionally unlikeable lead character. This works if you cast a charismatic actor, but Peppard is a big slab of wood and I found it impossible to care about anything that happened.
I don't like this film. I'll grant that it's a handsomely mounted Cinemascope production with some pretty amazing aerial biplane photography, but it all hinges on an intentionally unlikeable lead character. This works if you cast a charismatic actor, but Peppard is a big slab of wood and I found it impossible to care about anything that happened.