Plot: October 1917. A few years behind him at Eton, Stephen Croft has always idolized John Gresham, who was once his house captain and who is dating his sister. When eligible, Croft enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps after Gresham did an enlistment drive at Eton a year earlier, and now a Second Lieutenant with only four hours of flying experience, pulled some strings for the open position with the 76 Squadron at a temporary field base in France under Gresham, a Major, as commanding officer and squadron leader. When he hears, "two weeks, that's how long you're lasting now," upon his arrival, Croft may not fully comprehend that that is the life expectancy of rookie pilots within the squadron. What Croft lacks in experience and skill, he makes up for in enthusiasm. During his time with the squadron, he will get a different perspective of both the war and Gresham, who not only did not want Croft there, but understands his own failings, he having turned to drink to cope with the horrors of war. While Captain Sinclair, fondly referred to as Uncle as the senior officer, tries to place a certain calm into the group, Gresham is tasked not only with leading the military battles, but holding the squadron together as a cohesive unit, when he too fully understands the feelings of someone like Lieutenant Crawford, who has a debilitating case of fear which he often hides behind mock ailments and a mock sense of arrogance.
Alternative Plot: 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.
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