69 reviews
Another one for airplane buffs
For modern viewers, this is truly a movie for airplane buffs. How many movies can you find with early B-17s flying? I have always appreciated this movie for that purpose. Those early birds without tail guns and power turrets were all gone by wars end. This movie was made during the dark days of WWII for America and the 'D' models were still fairly new and in use stateside as training aircraft. Thankfully the producers just went to real Army Air Fields and used existing equipment. That is wonderful visual documentation for history buffs! Many 'props' were real! The Air Corps thermos bottles and the Air Crew bandoleers for pistol ammunition were great to see documented.
This was a wartime movie made in a period where we had suffered lots of defeats and few victories. The young men being sent off to war had grown up being taught not to kill their fellow humans. Most of the early war 'propaganda' films went to lengths to 'dehumanize' the enemy so that a young American entering combat would not be conflicted. This happens in all wars but is more obvious to us today due to the amount of films made during WWII. Regarding the talk of 'fifth column' work at Pearl Harbor, I believe some have missed the point of the propaganda. We have become so aware of the race issue that we miss the point made in the film. It was not so much to single out the Japanese ancestry citizens of Hawaii as to make the American people think that it wasn't our military's fault that we were caught by surprise. The theme in that scene and later on Wake Island proffered that 'our boys don't lose in an even fight'. It was to establish confidence in our military and equipment. The idea was to tell the U.S. civilian population that we couldn't lose unless stabbed in the back. Actually, much of our equipment of the time was inferior to our opponents. We also had mostly 'green' troops whereas the Japanese had a lot of combat experienced pilots and troops. It was a tough fight all the way through and our veterans deserve full credit for winning.
This movie is entertaining and a great one for airplane/history buffs who know what is 'right' and what isn't correct. Politically it is dated and must be taken in context. It is still fun to watch and worth your time.
This was a wartime movie made in a period where we had suffered lots of defeats and few victories. The young men being sent off to war had grown up being taught not to kill their fellow humans. Most of the early war 'propaganda' films went to lengths to 'dehumanize' the enemy so that a young American entering combat would not be conflicted. This happens in all wars but is more obvious to us today due to the amount of films made during WWII. Regarding the talk of 'fifth column' work at Pearl Harbor, I believe some have missed the point of the propaganda. We have become so aware of the race issue that we miss the point made in the film. It was not so much to single out the Japanese ancestry citizens of Hawaii as to make the American people think that it wasn't our military's fault that we were caught by surprise. The theme in that scene and later on Wake Island proffered that 'our boys don't lose in an even fight'. It was to establish confidence in our military and equipment. The idea was to tell the U.S. civilian population that we couldn't lose unless stabbed in the back. Actually, much of our equipment of the time was inferior to our opponents. We also had mostly 'green' troops whereas the Japanese had a lot of combat experienced pilots and troops. It was a tough fight all the way through and our veterans deserve full credit for winning.
This movie is entertaining and a great one for airplane/history buffs who know what is 'right' and what isn't correct. Politically it is dated and must be taken in context. It is still fun to watch and worth your time.
Air Force flies high
OK, so this is a war years propaganda, moral boosting, rah rah USA, loaded with technical inaccuracies movie. This is still a very good film. Actually far better than most of it's genre from that period. What I like about it is not that it's a war movie but that it has such a fine cast and being set in a single interior for much of the film it comes across more like a good stage play set during combat action of World War II. John Garfield, Gig Young, Harry Carey, George Tobias and Arthur Kennedy are among the stellar ensemble cast in a story about the beginning days of America's entry into World War II. A Hal Wallis production with direction by famed Director Howard Hawks. I've probably seen half of the movies directed by Hawks from his 40 year plus directorial career as has most people since he made so many well-known films but in case you may have missed Air Force you should check it out. Dudley Nichols whose screenplay's include Stagecoach, The Bells of St. Mary's, Gunga Din, The Big Sky and For Whom The Bell Tolls was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the 1943 Academy Awards. Author William Faulkner collaborated in rewriting a scene and adding additional dialog. The film's only Academy Award went to George Amy for Best Film Editing. I think Hawks should have received a nomination for direction and the film should have also been nominated for cinematography. The large cast probably canceled each other out for any consideration in actor or supporting actor nominations but they put together a compelling performance. It's a great human drama. I would give this an 8.5 out of a possible 10 and recommend it.
For anyone who loves airplanes, it's a must
I gave this an enthusiastic 6, and that's not said sarcastically. If you accept it for what it is, a WWII propaganda film, it is (except for the last half hour) very well done. It was made within the constraints of being a propaganda film, the necessity to maintain dramatic flow, incomplete knowledge at the time of all the facts, and the availability of aircraft that the Army Air Corps could provide. The aircraft are clearly the best thing about the film, though Harry Carey came close to stealing the movie. The aerial battles were staged by Paul Mantz, who was THE best in the business. There were two major weaknesses. The first was the frequent references to 5th column activity. Except for one minor incident in the Kauai area, the Japanese-Americans in Hawaii were singularly loyal to the U.S. The biggest weakness was the totally fictitious battle in the last 30 minutes of the movie. It never happened. The only sea battle in that area during that time frame was the battle of the Java Sea, which was a disaster for the U.S. and Dutch forces. Rather it seemed to be an enhanced composite of the attacks on Japanese convoys in the New Guinea/Solomon Islands area, and the battles of Coral Sea and Midway. We had nothing like the forces portrayed available at that time. The fighters shown at Clark Field were Bell P-39s. They were very pretty little planes, but were such a disappointment they earned the nickname Iron Dogs (all metal and "dogs"). But they still would have been far superior to what was actually available there. Sharp-eyed viewers would see that they were also used to stand in for radial-engined Zeroes (P-39s had liquid-cooled engines), along with radial-engined American trainers in the battle scenes. Also, I am practically certain B-17s didn't have the range to fly from Hickam to Clark with only one refueling stop, but that is justified by the necessity for dramatic flow. One more note - the dramatic picture of the capsizing battleship near the end of the movie was not a model, but rather a film of the Austro-Hungarian Szent Istvan sunk in 1918 during WWI.
Great movie for the times and even today.
I've seen this on cable dozens of times and almost never turn it off when it comes on. Some of the comments about the racist terms are simply naive. Trying to judge a movie 60 years later using political correctness as a measurement is like trying to compare Slater Martin with Michael Jordan. Air Force was released in 1943 meaning it was written and produced shortly after Pearl Harbor. So, the terms "Fried Jap" are understandable considering the times. Yes, the death bed scene was sappy. But the scene where the "Mary Anne" is trying to take off just one step ahead of invading japaness troops is exciting. The special effects are good (again, considering the technology 60 years ago) and although you can point to problems here or there, I think Howard Hawks and a great cast make this a movie people will enjoy for many more decades.
The saga of the Mary Ann
Air Force is Howard Hawks's ensemble salute to the Army Air Corps. Though John
Garfield is in it and he was a major star at Warner Brothers, he really is part of an
ensemble cast. Hawks meant this as an ensemble piece and you know that by the billing where the crew of the B-17 nicknamed by the crew the Mary Ann is in
rank order. Tail gunner Garfield is down the list.
The plane leaves 12/6/41 for Hickam Field in Hawaii and we know what happened the next day. The Mary Ann lands and takes off and makes a bunch of stops where the Japanese are attacking. In the end they are part of a nasty battle.
Warner Brothers special effects was at the top of its game. The cast is perfectly suited for their roles right down to a dog that gets hostile at the name Moto. Captain John Ridgely's death scene is the dramatic highlight of the film.
Air Force got an Oscar for film editing. It's a wartime flag waver to be sure but it still holds up well today.
The plane leaves 12/6/41 for Hickam Field in Hawaii and we know what happened the next day. The Mary Ann lands and takes off and makes a bunch of stops where the Japanese are attacking. In the end they are part of a nasty battle.
Warner Brothers special effects was at the top of its game. The cast is perfectly suited for their roles right down to a dog that gets hostile at the name Moto. Captain John Ridgely's death scene is the dramatic highlight of the film.
Air Force got an Oscar for film editing. It's a wartime flag waver to be sure but it still holds up well today.
- bkoganbing
- Nov 5, 2019
- Permalink
Standard WWII Morale Booster
Howard Hawk's "Air Force" is another in a long list of patriotic films about America's fighting men during World War II that were made to raise the spirits of audiences back home. Stereotypes abound, clichés come hard and fast, and the hokum flies faster than the planes as a flying fortress on a routine reconnaissance flight from California in early December 1941 is enmeshed in the Japanese attacks on U.S. Pacific bases. However, despite the requisite sentiment that includes cloying death bed scenes, teary-eyed mothers, and even a stowaway dog, "Air Force" stays on course under Hawk's steady direction and is fairly entertaining fare. The strong cast, which includes John Garfield, Gig Young, and Arthur Kennedy, is excellent and delivers the uninspired dialog with credibility. Although the considerable talents of these actors are not taxed, Garfield plays to type as the cynic who rises to handle the unfolding events, and a mustached Young provides solid support as the co-pilot. In addition to the cast, James Wong Howe's dramatic black and white cinematography is another major asset, and viewers have much time to admire his work with light and shadow during the talky episodes that take place within the claustrophobic plane. While there are too many stretches of dialog during the early part of the movie, a climactic air/sea battle brings the film to an exciting conclusion. A fine cast, outstanding photography, and a few good action sequences outweigh the overused plot devices and deliver an entertaining film that will quickly become blurred in memory with dozens of other similar war films made during the mid-1940's.
Technically astonishing, just a great movie, but so flawed in its chipper tone it's hard to watch
Air Force (1943)
There are many reasons this is an important film, but there are a couple reasons why this isn't an especially watchable one.
First, it's in the middle of the war, the big one, two years after Pearl Harbor and two years before Hiroshima. You can't expect anything but a slightly (or not so slightly) propaganda leaning movie. The fleet of flying fortresses (B-17 bombers) that make the basis for the movie are impressive machines, and the men are shown to be both competent and likable, good American boys and men. Director Howard Hawks had just finished "His Girl Friday" and "Ball of Fire," both comic masterpieces, and he was about to film "To Have and Have Not" with his buddy Humphrey Bogart. "Air Force" is not just a film between great films, it's made to the same high standards.
You'll see some astonishing photography here, by James Wong Howe (who made some other war films along with a dozen masterpieces among his 136 features over a lifetime). Part of the filming is on the ground, with great light and shadow and framing, and part are airborne battle scenes, including shooting enemy planes in midair, very dramatically. And the editing, which won an Oscar, is conspicuously excellent. Not only are the normal continuity edits from scene to scene and shot to shot sharp and perfect, there are also many times (during battle scenes) where the editing turns to fast cuts, or montage, that is really first rate. It would seem avant-garde in a less militaristic world.
What else to like? Well, the plot in its overview is fair enough, beginning with a chilling realization as the planes leave San Francisco that while flying to Hawaii the Japanese have attacked and they have nowhere to land. The emergency begins immediately. The actors, a few famous ones like John Garfield thrown in, are in good form, and the sense of group effort with the occasional disgruntled outsider is firmed up well.
But, in the end, the movie almost unwatchable if you care at all about realism. I don't mean accuracy, but believability. The men are endlessly cheerful in an offhand way even as they are about to die, or the world is crumbling around them. They gather to talk or chitchat and the camera has them fit the frame with almost a parody of posing. This isn't war, this is a movie, it seems to shout. Well, fine, it's a movie, and so you never quite buy into it. The events are sometimes implausible, as well, and of course, things work out well over all. Too well.
I have to say loudly that I understand why the movie was made this way. There was no room in 1943 in people's hearts or consciences for doubting and cynicism as people were being drafted, wounded, killed, and terrorized by actual battle, including battle from the air. But that doesn't mean it makes for relevant watching now. It's interesting, it's well made, it's important as part of how Americans saw the war through Hollywood's eyes, but it's also hard to get what it might have meant to home audiences back then.
There are many reasons this is an important film, but there are a couple reasons why this isn't an especially watchable one.
First, it's in the middle of the war, the big one, two years after Pearl Harbor and two years before Hiroshima. You can't expect anything but a slightly (or not so slightly) propaganda leaning movie. The fleet of flying fortresses (B-17 bombers) that make the basis for the movie are impressive machines, and the men are shown to be both competent and likable, good American boys and men. Director Howard Hawks had just finished "His Girl Friday" and "Ball of Fire," both comic masterpieces, and he was about to film "To Have and Have Not" with his buddy Humphrey Bogart. "Air Force" is not just a film between great films, it's made to the same high standards.
You'll see some astonishing photography here, by James Wong Howe (who made some other war films along with a dozen masterpieces among his 136 features over a lifetime). Part of the filming is on the ground, with great light and shadow and framing, and part are airborne battle scenes, including shooting enemy planes in midair, very dramatically. And the editing, which won an Oscar, is conspicuously excellent. Not only are the normal continuity edits from scene to scene and shot to shot sharp and perfect, there are also many times (during battle scenes) where the editing turns to fast cuts, or montage, that is really first rate. It would seem avant-garde in a less militaristic world.
What else to like? Well, the plot in its overview is fair enough, beginning with a chilling realization as the planes leave San Francisco that while flying to Hawaii the Japanese have attacked and they have nowhere to land. The emergency begins immediately. The actors, a few famous ones like John Garfield thrown in, are in good form, and the sense of group effort with the occasional disgruntled outsider is firmed up well.
But, in the end, the movie almost unwatchable if you care at all about realism. I don't mean accuracy, but believability. The men are endlessly cheerful in an offhand way even as they are about to die, or the world is crumbling around them. They gather to talk or chitchat and the camera has them fit the frame with almost a parody of posing. This isn't war, this is a movie, it seems to shout. Well, fine, it's a movie, and so you never quite buy into it. The events are sometimes implausible, as well, and of course, things work out well over all. Too well.
I have to say loudly that I understand why the movie was made this way. There was no room in 1943 in people's hearts or consciences for doubting and cynicism as people were being drafted, wounded, killed, and terrorized by actual battle, including battle from the air. But that doesn't mean it makes for relevant watching now. It's interesting, it's well made, it's important as part of how Americans saw the war through Hollywood's eyes, but it's also hard to get what it might have meant to home audiences back then.
- secondtake
- Apr 3, 2011
- Permalink
Exemplary Hawks
- rmax304823
- Mar 23, 2005
- Permalink
Entertaining
A B-17 bomber flies from San Francisco to Hawaii, arriving on...7 December 1941. They arrive in the middle of the attack on Pearl Harbor. They survive Pearl Harbor and are sent to the Philippines, where things aren't much easier.
The year of release (1943) should give it away that this is going to contain a fair amount of WW2 propaganda. And it does. Still, it is pretty entertaining, and the jingoism doesn't get excessive.
Goodish plot, solidly directed and acted. Some of the battle scenes and plots are quite unrealistic though. Still, the flying scenes are good fun.
The year of release (1943) should give it away that this is going to contain a fair amount of WW2 propaganda. And it does. Still, it is pretty entertaining, and the jingoism doesn't get excessive.
Goodish plot, solidly directed and acted. Some of the battle scenes and plots are quite unrealistic though. Still, the flying scenes are good fun.
Gives you some idea what ww2 was about.
This movie was made in 1943 and gives you a good idea of what people thought about the war,axis and the japs.Altho this movie is quite gung ho, you have to remember that at the time this movie was made nothing had been settled. It is well worth watching.
Rote WWII picture
Hawks makes some pretty rousing war propaganda. I loved the start of this film, with a bomber traversing the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii on December 6th, 1941. They arrive the next morning and lose radio contact in the middle of a transmission. When they get back in contact with someone, they find out about the Pearl Harbor raid. After they land and are sent toward the Philippines, the film becomes a pretty rote, gung-ho piece. The most recognizable star in the cast is John Garfield, who plays a man who failed to become a pilot and plans on quitting the Air Force ASAP - that is, until he finds out about the attack. Then he's eager to pick up a machine gun and mow down some rice-eating mofos! Despite the film's lack of narrative ambition, Hawks' direction is often fantastic. As with most every war film of the period, there's a lot of stock footage of the battles. Hawks does a great job to make it as invisible as possible - you can tell most of the time, but it's as good as I've ever seen it.
"Air Force" Ranks As One of the Best Propaganda Movies of World War II
One of the finest of the WWII films , following the hazardous exploits of a Boeing B-17 bomber crew
A jingoist and attractive WWII movie about brave pilots with stunning main and support cast . An epic and unbashedly patriotic drama movie with noisy action , thrills and dangerous aerial scenes . Thundering and patriotic drama about aviators , set in the Pacific Ocean . The Mary Ann, a B-17 Flying Fortress, takes off from California for Hawaii on a routine training flight on December 6, 1941. As the brave team of flyers have to fly over perilous obstacles , hemmed in by impassable hazards , and dogfighting the feared Japanese planes , as the personal and work ethics of this little crew become magnified to epic proportions . It stars brash , daredevil pilots on a B-17 bomber fighting over Pearl Harbor . Later on, the crew on board the Mary Ann going through action at Wake Island , the Philippines, and the Battle of the Coral Sea. Packed with power...loaded with thrills...the story of the men who fly against the Japanese ...for US. Giants of the sky ...blazing a trail to victory!. The thrill studded story of Mary Ann - Darling of the Air Force -Loved by 9 Men - And true to them all !
A WWII drama movie with flag-waging American sentiment , thrills , suspense , dangerous aerial scenes , occasional truculence , and battle scenes . This is a powerful film competently directed by the great master Howard Hawks and it displays extremely realistic dogfight sequences , though many of them are used some scale models or miniatures . This exciting and thrilling film focus on the group of pilots and soldiers on board plane become involved into Pearl Harbor attack , resulting in fateful consequences . Adding a purposeful and believable storyline by prestigious Dudley Nichols , including interesting lines. This Howard Hawks production is a hell of a war movie , combining with some effective quiter moments . It is plenty of riveting technical detail and there's richly rounded support cast .There's also also an introspective real guy interfacing by the ensemble cast , they are a nice group of actors giving fiercely well-defined portrayals of soldiers under stress , being masterfully played by a lot of familiar faces , such as : John Ridgely who was a character player and here in a rare leading role , a young Gig Young , Arthur Kennedy to beging along career , veteran Harry Carey , plum-nosed George Tobias , early deceased John Garfield , Charles Drake , James Brown , Ray Montgomery , Moroni Olsen , Edward Brophy , Richard Lane , Stanley Ridges , among others.
It displays a moving and rousing musical score by classic composer Franz Waxman . It's all topped off with the vividly charming black and white which typified the period from director of photography James Wong Howe . This propaganda picture was professionally directed by Howard Hawks , and there this great filmmaker creates some nice action scenes , as it has worn well through the years , in spite of the extremely propaganda and patriotist yarn . Hawks's filmmaking is masterly in its economy , power and pace . Formidable director Howard Hawks made a lot of films in all kind of genres and creating some masterpieces. He was one of the best Golden Hollywood directors and creator of authentic classics . Hawks directed all kinds of genres with intelligence and skillness enough . Hawks made Wartime : Air Force , Sergeant York ; Westerns : Barbary Coast , Big Sky , The Outlaw , Rio Bravo , Red River , El Dorado Rio Lobo ; Comedy : His Girl friday , Bringing up Baby , Ball of Fire , Gentlemen prefer Blondes , Monkey Business ; Noir genre : Scarface , Criminal Code, Big Sleep, To Have or Have not , and Adventure : Hatari, Only angels have wings . The flick will appeal to Howard Hawks enthusiasts . This is an epic WWII /drama at its best. Rating : 7/10 . Better than average . Worthwhile seeing .
A WWII drama movie with flag-waging American sentiment , thrills , suspense , dangerous aerial scenes , occasional truculence , and battle scenes . This is a powerful film competently directed by the great master Howard Hawks and it displays extremely realistic dogfight sequences , though many of them are used some scale models or miniatures . This exciting and thrilling film focus on the group of pilots and soldiers on board plane become involved into Pearl Harbor attack , resulting in fateful consequences . Adding a purposeful and believable storyline by prestigious Dudley Nichols , including interesting lines. This Howard Hawks production is a hell of a war movie , combining with some effective quiter moments . It is plenty of riveting technical detail and there's richly rounded support cast .There's also also an introspective real guy interfacing by the ensemble cast , they are a nice group of actors giving fiercely well-defined portrayals of soldiers under stress , being masterfully played by a lot of familiar faces , such as : John Ridgely who was a character player and here in a rare leading role , a young Gig Young , Arthur Kennedy to beging along career , veteran Harry Carey , plum-nosed George Tobias , early deceased John Garfield , Charles Drake , James Brown , Ray Montgomery , Moroni Olsen , Edward Brophy , Richard Lane , Stanley Ridges , among others.
It displays a moving and rousing musical score by classic composer Franz Waxman . It's all topped off with the vividly charming black and white which typified the period from director of photography James Wong Howe . This propaganda picture was professionally directed by Howard Hawks , and there this great filmmaker creates some nice action scenes , as it has worn well through the years , in spite of the extremely propaganda and patriotist yarn . Hawks's filmmaking is masterly in its economy , power and pace . Formidable director Howard Hawks made a lot of films in all kind of genres and creating some masterpieces. He was one of the best Golden Hollywood directors and creator of authentic classics . Hawks directed all kinds of genres with intelligence and skillness enough . Hawks made Wartime : Air Force , Sergeant York ; Westerns : Barbary Coast , Big Sky , The Outlaw , Rio Bravo , Red River , El Dorado Rio Lobo ; Comedy : His Girl friday , Bringing up Baby , Ball of Fire , Gentlemen prefer Blondes , Monkey Business ; Noir genre : Scarface , Criminal Code, Big Sleep, To Have or Have not , and Adventure : Hatari, Only angels have wings . The flick will appeal to Howard Hawks enthusiasts . This is an epic WWII /drama at its best. Rating : 7/10 . Better than average . Worthwhile seeing .
well-made but brainless
This was an American WWII propaganda film first and foremost. Because of that, acting, writing and shmaltz are paramount and realism is, at best, an after-thought. And I CAN respect the excellent acting by this fine ensemble cast. But, what I CAN'T respect is the utter silliness of the film.
The film begins on December 6, 1941--just a day before Pearl Harbor. The crew of a B-17 unknowingly approaches what will soon become a theater of war. As hostilities break out, they are forced to fly from one location to another trying to save their hides and strike back against the Japanese. The problem is, the B-17 appears to be nearly indestructible--as it manages to shoot down Zero after Zero with hardly a scratch. It reminded me of an arcade version of air combat (like Nintendo's 1942). If our bombers HAD been that effective, the war would have only lasted a few weeks! I guess, though, that the movie would have been a lot less interesting and detrimental to morale if they'd been shot down in their first encounter--which probably would have happened in real-life.
The film begins on December 6, 1941--just a day before Pearl Harbor. The crew of a B-17 unknowingly approaches what will soon become a theater of war. As hostilities break out, they are forced to fly from one location to another trying to save their hides and strike back against the Japanese. The problem is, the B-17 appears to be nearly indestructible--as it manages to shoot down Zero after Zero with hardly a scratch. It reminded me of an arcade version of air combat (like Nintendo's 1942). If our bombers HAD been that effective, the war would have only lasted a few weeks! I guess, though, that the movie would have been a lot less interesting and detrimental to morale if they'd been shot down in their first encounter--which probably would have happened in real-life.
- planktonrules
- Aug 1, 2005
- Permalink
An Air power picture that fits the mood of the time it was made..
One of the great things about motion pictures in this country is how they change with the times. Take this picture for example which came out in 1943. The U.S. was in the thick of the war and this was a film like many made during that time to stir patriotic fever and make Americans "hate the evil yellow enemy" (and the Nazis too!). It's full of everything to make the viewer feel good about our boys who are doing the fighting. A B-17 bomber crew where there seems to be no problems, only the desire to "Shoot down Japs" Now go forward about six years to 1949 and "Twelve O'Clock High" and watch that film about B-17 Bomber Crews. Could "Air Force" have cut it with movie goers any time after 1946? Could "Twelve O'Clock High" have made it with a 1943 audience? Probably not. So watch this picture and remember when it came out and what the mood in this country was and you'll truly enjoy it. Also don't forget to see "Twelve O'Clock High" as well, maybe right after seeing this one.
War Propaganda Well Done
Solid World War II Film
The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.
I like that rather than being a historical film that looks back, it was actually filmed shortly after Pearl Harbor and while the war against the Japanese was still quite active. In this way it could be considered a propaganda or recruitment film. Had America lost the war (nearly impossible, but still) this would have been an interesting artifact.
The story is pretty good, and has a nice mixture of humor and seriousness. Of course, being a war film where people are getting killed, you can only have so much humor, but adding the dog and some clever remarks ("can you keep a secret?") really helped.
I like that rather than being a historical film that looks back, it was actually filmed shortly after Pearl Harbor and while the war against the Japanese was still quite active. In this way it could be considered a propaganda or recruitment film. Had America lost the war (nearly impossible, but still) this would have been an interesting artifact.
The story is pretty good, and has a nice mixture of humor and seriousness. Of course, being a war film where people are getting killed, you can only have so much humor, but adding the dog and some clever remarks ("can you keep a secret?") really helped.
Wild Blue Yonder
During WW2, an Air Force crew flies from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor to Wake Island to Manilla, fighting Japs. Hawks was the master of exploring the theme of camaraderie among men of action and this one is scores on that front. The battle scenes are very exciting, greatly helped by the cinematography of James Wong Howe. The familiar cast includes many fine performances, including Garfield as a disgruntled tail-gunner, Ridgely as the pilot, and Carey as the old crew chief. The only problem is that it is little more than a propaganda film, intended to boost the morale of Americans as our boys fought overseas. As such, the loose plot isn't very engaging.
Howard Hawks uses the crew of the "Mary Ann" to show us how America will prevail in WWII. Fine propaganda and a fine movie
Patriotic WWII Aerial Drama.
Howard Hawks directed this patriotic WWII drama about a B-17 bomber(nicknamed the MaryAnn, but known as a flying fortress) crew arriving from San Francisco into Honolulu who fly straight into WWII on December 7, 1941. The crew(played by actors Gig Young, Arthur Kennedy, John Garfield, Harry Carey, George Tobias, among others) are shocked by the attack, but gather themselves together as they are sent to Manila to defend the Philippines, then become increasingly nomadic, going wherever they are needed, as their plane becomes increasingly battered, and crew start dying... Exciting and well-made film must have been a real morale booster in 1943, and remains a stirring film today.
- AaronCapenBanner
- Nov 6, 2013
- Permalink
Air Force Soars ****
Howard Hawks directs this WW II movie that was recognized with an Editing Oscar
- jacobs-greenwood
- Oct 16, 2016
- Permalink
A Really Great Movie ... Even in 2006
I've seen parts of this movie over the years, but today I finally had a chance to see nearly all of it. I'm going to buy a copy, too, even though it's available only on VHS, at present.
I have my favorite movies that I enjoy seeing again and again. However, I don't easily consider making changes to my list of favorites. "Air Force," though, has earned its way onto my list.
The last time I saw any part of Air Force was during my teens; forty years have passed and I now have a keener eye. I found the story was surprisingly rich with numerous colorful characters. The dialogue impressed me and the pace is sometimes quite rapid. Therefore, getting the Oscar for Best Film Editing was not a surprise.
Seeing Air Force today, August 10th, 2006, was especially 'exciting' to me, for lack of a better word. Soon this date will not seem very remarkable, but it happens to be the day on which Pakistani, British, and American intelligence organizations revealed and thwarted a plot to destroy approximately ten trans-Atlantic airliners. Twenty-four people were arrested in conjunction with the uncovering of that plot.
So for me, the battles and hardships endured by the characters in Air Force struck a special chord inside me, today. I'll remember how moved I was for a long, long time.
Go get yourself a copy. It'll show you a lot about an important time in world history.
Tony
I have my favorite movies that I enjoy seeing again and again. However, I don't easily consider making changes to my list of favorites. "Air Force," though, has earned its way onto my list.
The last time I saw any part of Air Force was during my teens; forty years have passed and I now have a keener eye. I found the story was surprisingly rich with numerous colorful characters. The dialogue impressed me and the pace is sometimes quite rapid. Therefore, getting the Oscar for Best Film Editing was not a surprise.
Seeing Air Force today, August 10th, 2006, was especially 'exciting' to me, for lack of a better word. Soon this date will not seem very remarkable, but it happens to be the day on which Pakistani, British, and American intelligence organizations revealed and thwarted a plot to destroy approximately ten trans-Atlantic airliners. Twenty-four people were arrested in conjunction with the uncovering of that plot.
So for me, the battles and hardships endured by the characters in Air Force struck a special chord inside me, today. I'll remember how moved I was for a long, long time.
Go get yourself a copy. It'll show you a lot about an important time in world history.
Tony
lots of miniature action
Nine B-17 bombers and their crews set off from San Francisco to Hawaii. They arrive just as the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. The Mary-Ann is forced into an emergency landing. They are ordered to Wake and then on to the Philippines where the Japanese have launched an invasion.
The first half is more a travelogue for the war. They start with Pearl Harbor, listen to FDR, visit Wake predicting the coming storm, and arrive in the Philippines. The air combat sequence has its thrills. The fight is a little too one-sided but it's still compelling. Considering the time it was made, the battle result is more than understandable. Then the plot gets into something reminiscent of Coral Sea. There is a lot of action, mostly miniature with some combat footage. It goes all out with all the miniatures. By the end, the plane is swiss cheese. The characters aren't that memorable but the action is meant to rally the audience. It's a movie of its times.
The first half is more a travelogue for the war. They start with Pearl Harbor, listen to FDR, visit Wake predicting the coming storm, and arrive in the Philippines. The air combat sequence has its thrills. The fight is a little too one-sided but it's still compelling. Considering the time it was made, the battle result is more than understandable. Then the plot gets into something reminiscent of Coral Sea. There is a lot of action, mostly miniature with some combat footage. It goes all out with all the miniatures. By the end, the plane is swiss cheese. The characters aren't that memorable but the action is meant to rally the audience. It's a movie of its times.
- SnoopyStyle
- Jun 12, 2019
- Permalink
A horribly dated film but a great study in WWII Allied propaganda
I just saw AIR FORCE of the first time a few weeks ago and, um, well... I guess it's faithful to the time it was made but, man, is it full of baseless bigotry! Okay, I know that during the dark days of a world war one is not exactly interested in hearing what the enemy might have to say on an issue but it is hard to defend Hawks' whole-hearted acceptance of the anti-Japanese/America hysteria. The film falsely portrays Japanese-Hawaiians as actively attacking the American forces during the Pearl Harbor attack. No such attacks occurred. In fact, local Japanese were observed shooting at the invader warplanes! But in 1943, the policy was to support the internment camps and the myths that made them possible. Hawks was probably just "doing his duty as a patriotic filmmaker" but I don't have to like it.
- davidemartin
- May 25, 2001
- Permalink