By Liliya Velbovets
Those who didn?t experience World War II firsthand may still learn from the battles fought in defense of freedom through a free film to be shown tonight at BYU.
?Twelve O?clock High? is an Oscar-nominated film that was made with a fresh memory of the emotions of World War II. On the Internet Movie Database Web site, Dennis Littrell compares this film with ?Saving Private Ryan? where the main hero also faces hard ethical and emotional problems.
?Comparing the two movies makes one wonder how much movies really have improved,? Littrell said, according to the Web site. ?Pour a lot of blood, show a lot of skin, get people at each other''s throat, and it will play, seems to be the attitude. What is often forgotten are the two most important aspects of film, namely, story and character development. In this respect I don''t think today''s films have improved on the great classics of the past.?
The script of the movie was written by veteran air force pilots Beirne Lay Jr. And Sy Bartlett and maintains realism that New York Times critic Bosley Crowther noted had ?thorough integrity all the way down the line.?
Harold B. Lee Library film series director, James D?Arc said the film?s appeal lies not only in the tremendous action sequences that utilize German and American combat footage but in the incredible drama of Gen. Frank Savage, who tries to minimize stress by emotionally separating himself from his team as he sends them on a bombing mission.
?In my opinion, ''Twelve O?clock High'' is the best World War II Airplane Epic film ever made,? said Todd Waits, who is majoring in film at BYU.
The movie is being shown as a part of The Special Collections Motion Picture Archives Film Series.
?We have a collection of rare classic films that are in film formats, not video or DVD,? said Mike Hopper, communications manager of the HBLL. ?Community members, students and others come too see movies like ?Gone with the Wind,? ?Twelve O?clock High? and others in their original format.?
Movie showcases start with a short introduction about the film, director and actors. The library also displays artifacts like trophies, original scripts and other exhibits that help viewers to learn more about the movie.
?Twelve O?clock High? will be shown today at 7 p.m. in the HBLL Auditorium. Doors open at 6: 30 p.m. Admission is free but early arrival is encouraged for a guaranteed seat.