7.1/10
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Air Force (1943)

Approved | | Action, Drama, History | 20 March 1943 (USA)
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.

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Writer:

(original screenplay)
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Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Ridgely ...
Pilot
...
Co-Pilot
...
Bombardier
...
Navigator
...
Crew Chief Sgt. White
...
Asst. Crew Chief
Ward Wood ...
Radio Operator
Ray Montgomery ...
Asst. Radio Operator
...
Aerial Gunner Joe Winocki
...
Pursuit Pilot - Passenger
Stanley Ridges ...
Major Mallory
...
Colonel at Hickam Field
Moroni Olsen ...
Col. Blake
...
Marine Sgt. J.J. Callahan (as Edward S. Brophy)
Richard Lane ...
Maj. W.G. Roberts
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Storyline

On December 6, 1941 nine B-17 bomber set off on a flight from San Francisco to Hawaii. One of the bombers, the Mary Ann, is commanded by 'Irish' Quincannon. The bombardier, Tommy McMartin, has a sister living in Hawaii and the co-pilot, Bill Williams, is sweet on her. The men are all highly professional with the exception of aerial gunner Joe Winocki, a bitter man who has every intention of leaving the army air corps. They arrive at Hickam Field on the morning of December 7, just as the Japanese are attacking Pearl Harbor and other military facilities. All of the men prepare to face the enemy, including Winocki whose attitude changes quickly. The bomber and its crew will participate in many missions but not all will survive. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

GIANTS OF THE SKY...blazing a trail to victory! See more »

Genres:

Action | Drama | History | War

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

20 March 1943 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

In die japanische Sonne  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The aircraft that played the parts of Zeros in the film were actually Republic P-43A Lancers. See more »

Goofs

The guns on the Japanese ships are capped. See more »

Quotes

Radio Operator Peterson: [looking down] That's an awful big town, San Francisco.
Assistant Crew Chief Weinberg: Strictly a one whistle stop. There's only one city in the U.S.A. and that's New York.
Sgt. Robbie White: Oh, you're just a hometown hick, Weinberg. What's wrong with California?
Assistant Crew Chief Weinberg: California? The sun shines and nuthin' ever happens. Before you know it, you're 60 years old.
Sgt. Robbie White: It's no different from New York. My sister's been tryin' to get out of Brooklyn for the last 40 years.
Assistant Crew Chief Weinberg: Brooklyn? That ain't New York, chief. Once you cross that Brooklyn Bridge, you're outta ...
[...]
See more »

Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: FOREWARD "It is for us the living .... to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced ..... It is ......for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ..... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Abraham Lincoln See more »

Connections

Featured in Warner at War (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

Taps
(1862) (uncredited)
Written by Daniel Butterfield
In the score when a death is reported
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User Reviews

Great movie for the times and even today.
30 April 2003 | by (Dallas) – See all my reviews

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.


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