ferbs54 Even those of us with the most general knowledge of American history probably know the broad facts concerning WW2 Air Force Col. Paul Tibbets; how, on August 6, 1945, he flew his B-29 bomber the Enola Gay from Tinian, in the northwest Pacific, to Japan, covering the 2,000 miles in around six hours, and then dropped the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare over Hiroshima, hastening the end of that global conflict. It is a part of world history that we should all be aware of, at least in part. For those of us wanting more information on Tibbets the man and on the background of this most top secret of military operations, there is the MGM movie "Above and Beyond," which tells, in docudrama fashion, just how Tibbets wound up in command of this project, and the personal consequences the mission had on both himself and his family. Released in November 1952, just seven years after the events depicted, the film works wonderfully well as both history lesson and as drama, abetted greatly by a very fine script and acting turns by its two lead performers, Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker.The film is narrated by Mrs. Tibbets (Parker) in flashback, as she awaits her husband at the airport after his historic flight. When we first encounter Tibbets (Taylor) in the film, he is engaged in combat over North Africa, but is quickly given the task of testing the new B-29 bomber in Wichita, Kansas. After many months of flying and evaluating the unwieldy new air wonder, Tibbets is sent to Colorado Springs and is selected for a new assignment: the fitting out of the new B-29 for the atom bomb drop over Japan, code-named Operation Silverplate. He is put in charge of a top-secret unit ensconced in the desolate wilderness of Wendover, Utah, and indeed, this project is so very top secret that even the wives and families of the men involved cannot be told what is going on. The lonely barracks life and the fact that Mrs. Tibbets must be kept in the dark as to her husband's work, and why he is continually distracted, aloof and absent, produces a great strain on the couple's marriage, going very far to break the loving pair up completely. The film shows us the lousy, spartan, day-to-day life in the Wendover barracks, the meticulous testing of the B-29, the painstaking target practices, many instances of the remarkable security that had to be put in place, AND, most significantly, the doubts and fears that Tibbets entertained before his date with destiny. Ultimately, however, that B-29, dubbed the Enola Gay (the name of Tibbets' mother, we learn), is ready for its mission, and in a surprisingly tense denouement (and I only say "surprising" because although we all know what will eventually happen, the great skill of the filmmakers here makes it still somehow nerve racking, nonetheless), Tibbets and his crew embark on their historic mission, dropping their 15-kiloton "Little Boy" payload to the astonishment of the world."Above and Beyond" was written and directed by the team of Melvin Frank and Norman Panama, who would eventually be responsible for the writing and/or direction of such classic films as "Road to Utopia," "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House," "White Christmas," "Knock On Wood," "The Court Jester" and "The Road to Hong Kong." Taylor and Parker (need I even mention?) work marvelously together (Parker would later say that Taylor was her favorite leading man, and the two would go on to appear together in 1954's "Valley of the Kings" and 1955's "Many Rivers to Cross"), and they are abetted by such sterling character actors as James Whitmore, two years before appearing as Sgt. Peterson in "Them!," here playing the chief security officer at Wendover; Larry Keating, one year before starting his five-year run on the "Burns and Allen Show," here as General Brent; Hayden Rorke, 13 years before playing Dr. Bellows on "I Dream of Jeannie," here portraying another kind of doctor, the physicist Ramsey; and Jim Backus, three years pre-"Rebel Without a Cause," as General LeMay. In all, it is very much a prestige film, given the typical MGM touch of class, and one that should be well received by all who'd care to learn more about a seminal event in world history, or by those who enjoy seeing a terrific drama movingly brought to life by two great acting pros. Eleanor, I might add, looks absolutely gorgeous in the film ("Above and Beyond" was released just five months after "Scaramouche," in which she had never been more stunning), and really, where else are you ever going to see her wearing a leather Air Force bomber jacket? For we fans of this wonderful and under-appreciated actress, the film is almost worth the price of admission for that moment alone. In all, very much recommended!

Lee Novak The Japs would NOT sign a defeat Treaty UNLESS they were Convinced after a SECOND Atomic Bomb that it's time to pack it in and find a new way of life. In fact their Ego was SO misguided,that for YEARS Jap Soldiers still hid in caves waiting for their next order. ROBERT TAYLOR plays Colonel Paul Tibbets,the pilot who's Bomber plane "The Enola Gay" (named after his Mother)put an end to Japanese delusions in World War II. Colonel Tibbets under personal and G.I. Strain,manages to pull it off. Eleanor Parker as his Wife,almost loses it a few times,as not knowing what his actual mission is,nor did MOST of the military personnel who were actually involved. This is an important film and should be a MUST see for present generations.

edwagreen Highest rating with Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker giving phenomenal performances, perhaps the best ever in both of their careers.After he has been chosen to test pilot the B-29 bomber, Taylor is so affected by his work in the preparation of dropping the atomic bomb on Japan, that he becomes intolerable to live with and is extremely harsh with all those under his command. He had no choice as the objective of his work obviously had to remain top secret.This is definitely a superior story of the human spirit in triumph.Taylor is aided by an excellent supporting cast headed by Larry Gates, Larry Keating and the recently departed James Whitmore.The emotional pain of Taylor is sincerely etched in his face in an unforgettable performance.

denscul This is a good film, first line actors, William Wellman the Director was a combat pilot from WWI, and the film avoided most of the tiresome triteness of most war films especially those about flying and pilots.Most of the commentaries seem to like the film, but not all agree with the political meaning of the film. Some of the comments mention personal connections with the film, so excuse mine. I was a combat pilot in SAC, and was behind one of the switches that could send off bombs more deadly then a 20K bomb. I served in Japan many years after the War. It was my impression that more young Americans faulted our decision to drop the bomb, than the Japanesse who were the actual targets of the bomb. They, like many Germans were ashamed of their acceptance and participation in the War. Today, the most ardent anti-communists are those who actually lived under communism, unlike many college professors and Hollywood actors, producers and writers.In 1945, the Japanese Military who wanted to continue the war, wanted to fight to the last man. Not unlike Hitler, who could have ended the war, they were willing to expose every man, women and child in their country to death and starvation. Despite years of war (Japan had invaded China in 1931), the Military Junta still had the capacity to inflict horrible casualties on our troops at Okinawa and Iwo Jima, and they were prepared to fight to the death the Allied invasion set for September, 1945.The US did not have enough fissionable material to make three bombs. Of the two that were dropped, one was made of Uranium 235, and the other Plutonium. Some critics said we should have set off a "show" bomb off the coast of Japan. We used one of our bombs on Hiroshima, and despite the evidence, it took another at Nagasaki to convince the leaders of Japan to end the war. Japan could, and should have quit before all the devastation.The former Soviet Union entered this same war on the side of Hitler. They took chunks of land from the Poles,Lithuania,Lativia,Estonia and Finland, and chunks of Eastern Europe while Hitler was conquering Eastern and Central Europe. Hitler and Stalin were like two peas in a pod for two years. Stalin's agents in the US infiltrated our government and media and preached peace-because it was in Stalin's interest to keep us out. When Hitler attacked Stalin, some, but not all of Stalin's agents did a complete flip flop, calling for war against the Nazi's. This propaganda and infiltration continued until the collapse of the Soviet's in 1989. Many documents have been released about the communist reaction to Hiroshima. Unlike this film, which could hardly be considered a propaganda movie, the communists tried to use Hiroshima as a propaganda tool in their fight with the West.Whereas the US pulled out of all its conquered territory, the Soviet's did not. They occupied all of the lands they had taken during the war. History may eventually judge our one moral failure in the War, was allowing our French and British Allies to continue their colonial territories they held before the War. Their rule, however, never approached the Communists tyranny.As the events portrayed in this film fade into history, so will the effects of the propaganda that still seems to affect some who have bought into their arguments. The fact may explain why some people still celebrate the Fall of the Bastille and the French Revolution, without accepting the fact that their revolution replaced the tyranny of a King, with the tyranny of Napolean. After Waterloo, France was defeated, humiliated, and bankrupt. These events are hard cold historical facts, just as Hiroshima, and the facts that existed in 1945 lead to its destruction and deaths of many innocent people.