克拉克．盖博饰演的凯西司令官，为阻挠破坏德国研制一种新式飞机，不顾国会一些议员反对，准备对德国秘密研制基地进行攻击。他知道为了打赢此次大战，必须派手下的军队对德军进行一次自杀式的攻击，他应该如何决定？本片改编自战后的卖座舞台剧，对战争中的政治动作内幕提出相当深刻的自省。萨姆．伍德的导演手法紧凑有力，掌握住对白的戏剧张力却不会使场面流于呆板的舞台化，加上一群演技精湛的男星卖力演出，娱乐效果相当高。
General Dennis of the US Force in England in World War II finds that he must order his planes deeper and deeper into Germany to prevent the production of military jet planes that will turn the tide of battle to the Germans. He must fight congressmen, and his own chain of command to win the political battle before he can send his planes out. His problem is complicated by a very narrow window of good weather necessary to allow his effort to be successful. Adapted from a stage play, it attempts to look at the challenges of command in the political arena.