War Movie – Aces High 1976

English pilots during World War I

Maj. Gresham (Malcolm McDowell) is a flying ace who oversees a group of English pilots during World War I. His latest recruit is Lt. Croft (Peter Firth), who happens to have been only a few years behind Gresham at Eton. Croft idolizes Gresham at first, but the image of his hero is tarnished when he learns of Gresham’s private habits, especially his predilection for alcohol. It’s only after Croft himself has endured the crucible of war that he comes to fully appreciate his commanding officer.