The High and the Mighty
Seen it?1954 | 147 min | Adventure, Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It won an Oscar, though it had a box office flop and middling reviews (46% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for adventure fans. If you loved True Grit or Mutiny on the Bounty, start here.
- The mood
- Exciting.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 27 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1954: an older pace and style.
Dan Roman is a veteran pilot haunted by a tragic past. Now relegated to second-in-command cockpit assignments he finds himself on a routine Honolulu-to-San Francisco flight that takes a terrifying turn when disaster strikes high above the Pacific Ocean after the point of no return.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
46% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Original Music Score. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. Also nominated for 4 more Oscars and 1 DGA Award.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$9 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 91K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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True Grit
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The Perfect Storm Sunday Safe BetAnother disaster drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Top Gun: Maverick Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
Flight of the Phoenix
Weeknight WatchAnother disaster adventure, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Mutiny on the Bounty Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed adventure that fewer people know today.
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Cast & crew
Directed by William A. Wellman
- John WayneDan Roman
- Claire TrevorMay Holst
- Laraine DayLydia Rice
- Robert StackJohn Sullivan
- Jan SterlingSally McKee
- Phil HarrisEd Joseph
- Robert NewtonGustave Pardee
- David BrianKen Childs
- Paul KellyDonald Flaherty
- Sidney BlackmerHumphrey Agnew