This U.S. Army film directed by Larry Ross and featuring Cliff Robertson presents a narrative about the “code of honor” and ethics set at West Point, the U.S. Military Academy, in the late 1970’s. It shows a brief history of the institution with a main focus on the Academy’s strict adherence to honesty and integrity. It shows the consequences for Cadets who break the honor code, in this case a Cadet played by actor Neal Mandell. The film opens with a pistol shot as young men take off for a surreal track race (:35). Some of the racers are pointed to whom act dishonorably in their day-to-day life. One is pictured cheating for a test (1:28), another forges a resume on his typewriter (1:41) and another spins back the odometer on a car for sale while working as a car salesmen (2:29). The film’s narrator, Cliff Robertson is shown at (4:10). The film turn’s to West Point with Cadets running through a combat training course (4:43), conducting target practice (5:07), learning foreign languages (5:28) and taking a computer class and operating a computer drive plotter (5:34). After the Cadets, including an African American Cadet, are seen conducting drills (5:53), a few of the Cadets complain of the hard work and wonder if there is an easier way (6:32). A few Cadets speak to the experience of beginning schooling at West Point (8:10). West Point buildings are seen in the background as male and female Cadets stand at attention (8:30). Some of the schools sport activities are viewed as students play lacrosse (9:02), box and compete in a wrestling match (9:16). A statue of George Washington on horseback follows (10:46). An empty chair is zoomed in on in the dining hall of the campus (11:29) and a personal file then appears with ‘Separated’ stamped onto it (11:36). A Cadet whom had broken the Honor Code is interviewed (11:49). He speaks on his upbringing and how he was raised to play it safe (12:58), how he had lied on his application to get into the Academy (13:07) and how he had been influenced by the outside word’s lack of ethics specifically noting car salesmen and their techniques (13:32). He is seen riding a train on his way to visit family during the school year (14:28) reading a paper with a headline of ‘Former Top Cop Guilty of Lying in Payoff Quiz’ (14:56). A dramatization of a corporation on trial for fixing prices follows (15:05). A friend of the first Cadet is interviewed for ‘toleration’ as he was aware of what the former had done and did not report him (18:39). An aerial shot of an airfield and landing strips (19:43) leads to a drunken pilot loading up to a plane (19:48). The stewardess reports him (19:53) and as a taxi cab driver witnesses a hit and run, he takes the guilty car’s license plate number down (20:00). An expanse of West Point’s campus is viewed from a hilltop (20:42). Black and white photos of the academy’s early beginning’s follow (21:36). Troops are seen on horseback (21:43). The old quarters which cadets resided in are shown with military jackets hanging in the closet (21:45). The Officer Corp of the Army of 1802 follows (21:50). A picture of Captain Alden Partridge (22:10) is shown as he had been the superintendent in 1815 whom pushed for honor as a necessary condition of the cadets and academy. Captain Sylvanus Thayer is pictured two years later as he became the superintendent (22:18) and sanctioned the idea that integrity governed cadet behavior. A montage is then shown of Cadets in the academy’s early history (22:34). General Douglas MacArthur in 1921 (22:59) when he became the superintendent. MacArthur officially recognized the Honor Committee (23:03) and formalized the Honor System. The pursuit of lying and cheating became an official part of the Academy’s code in 1970 (23:20). Shots of the campus facilities and religious structures for various regions are shown (23:37) as well as footage from Army-Navy games (23:59). MacArthur is then pictured in later years awarding Cadets medals (25:06). A statue of Mac (25:12). He had last visited the school in 1962 and a portion of his address from his visit is heard (25:22). Images of MacArthur on his return the Philippines in October of 1944 depict him wading to Leyte’s shore from an LCVP (25:31). The US flag is seen raised here shortly after (26:03). The Landing Craft PA33-4 is shown (26:54) as troops unload onto beaches. A portion of a letter written in 1920 by former Secretary of War, Newton Baker sent to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Military Affairs is read (29:08). The credit screen precludes the film’s conclusion (30:45) an Aberdeen Proving Ground Production (31:01).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com