Susanne was flying a P-51, the boyfriend flew the F8. At last that is how I remember the final scene. This movie was weak on plot and story, but the flying was worth a look. Too bad it is not out on DVD, this movie would be worth a bargain price. Funny thing is I don't remember being all that impressed with the fact that a woman was cast as a pilot, just that the Plushette character was cool. And this is coming from a 40 year professional pilot who "grew up" in aviation in an era when women were not that common in flying. (They are now). I am not making any political statement, just observations. I have enjoyed flying with several female pilots and have trusted my life to them while flying.
5 Reviews
Good cast but a one dimensional plot
BullMoose20 November 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I did see this (TV) movie and I do remember it ... sort of. Since there is no plot description given and no reader comments yet, I will have to rely on my memory (probably a bad idea).
What I remember is Suzanne as a young female pilot who wants to be in the unlimited class air races but her male friends block her ambitions. Her boyfriend (Farentino) annoys her enough that she runs off with a bad-boy pilot (Slate?) for a quickie. When her other male friends find out about that affair, they berate her and make her feel so bad she wants to kill herself (yeah, it's that bad a plot). She takes her plane up with the intention of crashing it but is followed by Farentino who tries to talk her out of it. I won't totally spoil the story by telling you how it ends but trust me, you won't be surprised.
At the time this movie was made, the US was going through a major cultural change and feminism was on the rise. This movie was a forgettable attempt to show a young woman struggling against the mores of the time. That's just my take on what I remember so if there is someone with a different viewpoint, please post a comment.
What makes this movie memorable to me was not the plot nor the actors but the plane that Suzanne files, a Grumman Bearcat (ex Navy fighter). There are too few movies that show an F8 Bearcat in flight (offhand, I don't know of another one). So I remember the story because of those scenes of the plane.
-bm
What I remember is Suzanne as a young female pilot who wants to be in the unlimited class air races but her male friends block her ambitions. Her boyfriend (Farentino) annoys her enough that she runs off with a bad-boy pilot (Slate?) for a quickie. When her other male friends find out about that affair, they berate her and make her feel so bad she wants to kill herself (yeah, it's that bad a plot). She takes her plane up with the intention of crashing it but is followed by Farentino who tries to talk her out of it. I won't totally spoil the story by telling you how it ends but trust me, you won't be surprised.
At the time this movie was made, the US was going through a major cultural change and feminism was on the rise. This movie was a forgettable attempt to show a young woman struggling against the mores of the time. That's just my take on what I remember so if there is someone with a different viewpoint, please post a comment.
What makes this movie memorable to me was not the plot nor the actors but the plane that Suzanne files, a Grumman Bearcat (ex Navy fighter). There are too few movies that show an F8 Bearcat in flight (offhand, I don't know of another one). So I remember the story because of those scenes of the plane.
-bm
Not Bearcats.
lvr-5009829 June 2022
The yaks in Battle hymn were not Bearcats but T-28 Trojans. The Mustangs were air national guard airplanes. Of note, the Mustang depicted
as being flown by Dean Hess / Rock Hudson is actually 44-72739 which now resides at the Palm Springs Air Museum as MAN O WAR.
Great Airplanes and cast
maday-0337014 October 2016
This movie was supposed to be set in Florida, but was actually filmed at Brackett Field, La Verne/Pamona CA. My husband said he thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie being made there, and that it had a great cast. His father was the driver of the crash truck that was sent to intercept an aircraft during an uncleared departure (call sign Brackett 12), by the tower. My husband really thought a better story line could have been done, but the P-51 and the F-8-F were the star's of the show in his eyes, as well has his dad! Following in his footsteps, my husband continued a career in Crash Rescue and retired as Fire Chief of 12 years from the Mojave Air and Spaceport.
Bearcats in other films
saville-214 October 2017
"There are too few movies that show an F8 Bearcat in flight (offhand, I don't know of another one). "
Checkout "Battle Hymn". Early Korean War era film where the Yaks were played by Bearcats.
There is also a book: "The Aircraft Spotters Film and Television Companion" which might give you more info.
I wish the movie were on DVD also. I saw it as a kid and loved the airplane shots.
Checkout "Battle Hymn". Early Korean War era film where the Yaks were played by Bearcats.
There is also a book: "The Aircraft Spotters Film and Television Companion" which might give you more info.
I wish the movie were on DVD also. I saw it as a kid and loved the airplane shots.
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