Strategic Air Command (VHS, 1992)

James Mason distinguished between what he called an actor's film and a producer's film. "Strategic Air Command" fits the second category. I
like to watch it, mainly, for the aerial photography, some of the best
ever made. A veteran flier in real life, James Stewart takes the high
road in this portrait of high flight, giving us a credible performance
as a citizen-soldier recalled to the military. Released in July 1955,
this movie, in essence, was a picture postcard view of life in the Air
Force, and pure Cold-War propaganda. An unabashed apologetic for what
the international nuclear stand-off, so much in the public mind at the
time, required of ordinary people. In that sense, it put the "SAC" in
sacrifice.

Unexpectedly and abruptly thrust back into the pilot's seat, Stewart's character sees himself as an anachronism in the jet age. In fact, the
two bombers showcased in the film, the sleek B-47 edging out the bulky
B-36 in a dramatic debut, were both obsolete by 1955, supplanted by an
aircraft that remains in service to this day. Never even mentioned in
the script, the B-52 Stratofortress was the actual mainstay on the new flightline. A "B" for historical accuracy.

Silvery hair glistening in the spotlight, James Stewart was miscast as
a young baseball player. Ditto, June Allyson, who, despite successful
appearances with Stewart in other movies, was unconvincing as an eager newlywed. Critics commented on the age factor when Stewart starred in
"The Spirit of St. Louis." Personally, he has never grown too old for
me. For all the flaws, "Strategic Air Command" remains a favorite.

This movie is about a person, who just got out of the Air Force, was pitching for a baseball league and because the Air Force started SAC, needed experienced Air Force Personnel to get the SAC going. It looks like there was very stingent training programs and needed top notch people to run it. Also there was a romance scene going on with a wife that was trying to get used to having her husband gone and not at home all the time. But this worked out after Jimmy Stewart had injured his arm and was let go from the Air Force. But SAC got it's beginnings and is still going today, guarding our countries skys against foreign preditors.

Prompt shipment. Item delivered quickly as promised. Tape was in good shape and complete with cover box. Thank you

It was a gift for my mother who wanted it for a long time. I looked everywhere and could not find it. I never shopped on eBay before and took a chance to see if this tape was available and it was. We received the tape today and is in very good condition. My mom is very happy.

I bought this because it stars James Stewart.
It was a very well-made film except for a few things:
(1) James Stewart by this was no longer a dapper young man,
but greying and grizzling. As such it was hard to believe that:
He was not long out of the air force
in a previous war (WW2 or Korea was not made clear).
He was a passionate young newlywed.
He was just starting his career as a third-baseman in major-league baseball.
(2) The movie was overtly patrotic, virtually a feature-length advertisement
to join the then-new Strategic Air Command.
(3) It was in many ways rather dated. Some movies (and books and plays) are
dated, but they rise above that because their themes are universal.
Somehow, this didn't cut it.
HOWEVER, it was, as I say, very well made.
If there were special effects, they were not obvious to me;
it was not hard to believe that all events were being filmed on location,
live and real time.
The plot line (aside from Stewart's age) was a good one.
The fact that the film is "dated" does have it "up" side --
it was great to see all those old aircraft --
especially the glass-nosed bombers,
something I had never seen anywhere before except in B+W photographs.
Bottom line: If you find it at "a reasonably good price", get it!