The War Lover (1962): cast, story & where to watch
1962 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1962, The War Lover is a drama, adventure and war film directed by Philip Leacock, running about 105 minutes. “The men of the flying forts whose bravery became a legend” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Buzz Rickson is a dare-devil World War II bomber pilot with a death wish. Failing at everything not involving flying, Rickson lives for the most dangerous missions. His crew lives with this aspect of his personality only because they know he always brings them back alive.
Who’s in it. The War Lover stars Steve McQueen as Capt. Buzz Rickson, Robert Wagner as 1st Lt. Ed Bolland, Shirley Anne Field as Daphne Caldwell and Gary Cockrell as 2nd Lt. Marty Lynch, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, The War Lover has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In GB you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The War Lover page.
If you liked it. Fans of The War Lover tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The War Lover (1962)?
- In GB, The War Lover is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store and Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The War Lover worth watching?
- The War Lover holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, adventure and war. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The War Lover?
- The War Lover stars Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, Shirley Anne Field, Gary Cockrell and Michael Crawford.
- When was The War Lover released?
- The War Lover was released in 1962, with a runtime of about 105 minutes.