Where was Twelve O'Clock High filmed?

The opening scene introduces us to Harvey Stovall (Dean Jagger). It begins in post-war England, where a civilian, Stovall, stumbles upon a souvenir from the war – a Toby Jug shaped like a pilot's head – at an antique shop. This discovery prompts him to embark on a nostalgic journey back to the now-abandoned RAF airfield at Archbury. Upon purchasing the jug, Stovall travels by train and then by bicycle, traversing the English countryside until he reaches the lonely and quiet airfield. Although the movie takes place at the imagined UK airbase of 'Archbury,' most of its filming occurred in the USA. To add authenticity, a second filming unit acquired initial shots of the UK base at RAF Barford St John, approximately four miles southeast of Banbury in Oxfordshire. This genuine airfield, repurposed as a communications station following its shutdown in 1946, served as the true-to-life setting for the film. Even though time has led to replacing World War II-era buildings with contemporary constructions, RAF Barford St John still maintains its historic character. While RAF Barford St John itself might not be accessible due to heightened security measures post-9/11, the surrounding area of Banbury offers a glimpse into the region's rich history and connection to the film. Getting to Banbury is relatively straightforward. The nearest major airport for international visitors is Birmingham Airport (BHX). From there, one can take a train or rent a car to reach Banbury, which is well-connected by road and rail to major cities in the UK.

The pivotal flashback transports the audience back to 1942, at the height of World War II. This moment in the film unveils the 918th Bomb Group stationed at the fictional Archbury airbase. Unfortunately, it has earned the nickname "hard luck group" due to its unsuccessful missions. Later, we see Colonel Keith Davenport (Gary Merrill), the group's commander, profoundly affected by the outcomes of their efforts. Visibly worn out and disheartened, Davenport's sense of defeat permeates the squadron's senior ranks, notably affecting his Air Executive, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Gately (Hugh Marlowe). The filming of these emotionally charged scenes took place predominantly at Duke Field, situated a few miles north of the principal Eglin Air Force Base, off Route 10, roughly 50 miles east of Pensacola along the Florida coast. Additional structures, including a control tower, were constructed specifically for the movie to authentically recreate the airbase's atmosphere. Duke Field carries historical significance as it was where the 'Doolittle Raiders,' featured in the film Pearl Harbor, prepared for their mission and was depicted in the 1944 film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, starring Spencer Tracy. Getting to 100 Museum Dr is straightforward. Travelers can drive east from Pensacola on Route 10 to reach the vicinity of the base. The museum, located on Eglin Air Force Base, is known for housing tours, offering visitors a glimpse into the history and achievements of air power.

The 918th Bomb Group, having completed intensive refresher training under the strict command of General Savage (Gregory Peck), embarks on a mission that will redefine their standing among their colleagues. This turning point is vividly demonstrated when, under Savage's leadership, the 918th becomes the only group to reach its target and return without sustaining any aircraft losses on a pivotal bombing operation. Scenes depicting the exhilarating takeoffs and landings that capture this scene for the 918th were shot at Cairns Army Airfield, which is part of Fort Rucker in Daleville, Alabama. The airfield was previously known as Ozark Army Airfield. The decision to film in Cairns was well-planned; the city's runways were physically similar to those in the United Kingdom, which helped to ground the film's fictional airbase, Archbury, in reality. You may find Cairns Army Airfield inside Fort Rucker to see where these iconic scenes were shot. Despite its primary military function, interested parties can inquire about admission rules and hours of operation by contacting the base's administration. Daleville, Alabama, is an excellent tourist destination because it is close to Fort Rucker and has easy access to major highways. Once you reach Daleville, you can quickly get directions to Fort Rucker and Cairns Army Airfield.

General Savage (Gregory Peck) substantially improves his leadership and the morale of the 918th Bomb Group. To acknowledge the group's courage and achievements, Savage convinces General Pritchard (Millard Mitchell), their supervisor, to propose that they obtain a Distinguished Unit Citation. The drama reaches an emotional peak when the Inspector General arrives at the facility amid rumors of unrest and potential transfers. The pilots withdrew their requests to move, indicating a renewed trust in Savage's leadership. Stages 3 and 6 at 20th Century Fox Studios were used for specific interior scenes. The Fox Studio Lot, located in Los Angeles' Century City district, is well-known for its lengthy cinematic history and has hosted the production of numerous iconic films. Star Wars, X-Men, Ice Age, Avatar, and Planet of the Apes are just a few critically acclaimed and commercially profitable films that 20th Century Fox has produced since its inception in 1935. The Sound of Music and Titanic, which won Best Picture at the Oscars, are among its many individual classics. Keep in mind that 20th Century Fox does not offer public tours. Nevertheless, if you're dying to see the set of a Hollywood film, a trip to the area around the Fox Studio Lot in Century City, California, might still deliver the thrills. Getting to Los Angeles is simple, with flights departing from and arriving at LAX, the city's main airport. Century City is an excellent place for tourists to visit after they get into town. Assuming no traffic delays, the trip takes about 25 minutes from Los Angeles city center along I-10 W.