克拉克．蓋博飾演的凱西司令官，為阻撓破壞德國研制一種新式飛機，不顧國會一些議員反對，準備對德國秘密研制基地進行攻擊。他知道為了打贏此次大戰(zhàn)，必須派手下的軍隊對德軍進行一次自殺式的攻擊，他應該如何決定？本片改編自戰(zhàn)后的賣座舞臺劇，對戰(zhàn)爭中的政治動作內幕提出相當深刻的自省。薩姆．伍德的導演手法緊湊有力，掌握住對白的戲劇張力卻不會使場面流于呆板的舞臺化，加上一群演技精湛的男星賣力演出，娛樂效果相當高。 　　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.