Watch Toward the Unknown

Toward the Unknown is a 1956 aviation drama directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring William Holden, Lloyd Nolan, and Virginia Leith. The movie revolves around the story of Major Lincoln Bond (William Holden), who is the commander of a Air Force test pilot unit in the 1950s. The film begins with Bond testing out a new aircraft, which crashes and leaves him with severe physical injuries. After a year of recovery, Bond returns to work and is tasked with leading a team of test pilots on a top-secret mission. Despite his physical and emotional scars, Bond accepts the challenge and sets out to prove that he's still a great pilot.

As the team prepares for their mission, they encounter several setbacks and obstacles. Bond's past comes back to haunt him when his ex-girlfriend, Connie Mitchell (Virginia Leith), shows up as a technician on the base. The two have a strained relationship, and Bond struggles to keep his focus on the mission.

Meanwhile, Bond's second-in-command, Major Tack Hammer (Lloyd Nolan), is fighting his own demons. He's plagued by recurring nightmares of a previous crash and tries to conceal the fact that he's suffering from a mental breakdown.

As the team takes off on their mission, they encounter multiple issues with their aircraft, including a malfunctioning engine and a deadly fuel leak. The pilots have to work together to overcome the challenges and complete their mission. However, when Bond is forced to make a critical decision that could mean life or death for his team, he finds himself facing a difficult moral dilemma.

The movie features a strong cast of actors, who all deliver compelling performances. William Holden is excellent as the lead character, perfectly capturing the emotional turmoil of a man who's haunted by his past mistakes. Lloyd Nolan is also fantastic as Major Hammer, playing the role of a tortured soul with genuine depth and complexity.

In addition to its strong performances, Toward the Unknown delivers plenty of exciting aerial action sequences that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie features stunning footage of real planes in flight, and the special effects are top-notch for a film of its era.

One of the most impressive aspects of Toward the Unknown is how it manages to balance its thrilling action scenes with its character-driven drama. The film is a poignant examination of the toll that high-pressure jobs like test piloting can take on a person's mental health. It's a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit and the power of teamwork.

Overall, Toward the Unknown is a well-crafted aviation drama that still holds up today. It's a compelling story that combines impressive aerial sequences with strong character development and emotional depth. Fans of classic films and aviation enthusiasts will find a lot to love about this movie.

Toward the Unknown is a 1956 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.