Flyboys (2006)

Director:

Tony Bill

Writers (WGA):

Phil Sears (screenplay) &
Blake T. Evans (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

22 September 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | War

Tagline:

Inspired by a true story

Plot:

The adventures of the Lafayette Escadrille, young Americans who volunteered for the French military before the U.S. entered World War I, and became the country's first fighter pilots.

Plot Keywords:

American | France | Pilot | Training | Military

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 24	8:00 PM	WGNAMER
Sun. Nov. 29	8:00 PM	CW

Cast

James Franco	...	Blaine Rawlings
Scott Hazell	...	Cinema Usher
Mac McDonald	...	Sheriff Detweiller
Philip Winchester	...	William Jensen
Todd Boyce	...	Mr. Jensen
Karen Ford	...	Mrs. Jensen
Ruth Bradley	...	Laura
Abdul Salis	...	Eugene Skinner
Jean-Philippe Écoffey	...	Skinner's trainer
Tim Pigott-Smith	...	Mr. Lowry
Tyler Labine	...	Briggs Lowry
Gail Downey	...	Mrs. Lowry
David Ellison	...	Eddie Beagle
Jean Reno	...	Capt. Thenault
Augustin Legrand	...	L.T. Giroux

Also Known As:

Fly Boys (International: English title) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for war action violence and some sexual content.

Runtime:

140 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #42281) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:PG | Malaysia:U | UK:12A | Portugal:M/12 | Ireland:12A | New Zealand:M | Germany:12 | Finland:K-13 | Argentina:Atp | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Netherlands:12 | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

RAF Halton, Halton, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Electric Entertainment

Trivia:

In the scene where the pilots are painting or having painted personalizations on the sides of their airplanes, Lyle Porter is painting a banner that reads "Timothy CH. IV V. 7". This is reference to a chapter and verse in the Book of Timothy in the Bible. There are TWO books of Timothy in the Bible, both having a chapter IV and verse 7. However, more than likely, this would be a reference to the SECOND book of Timothy, chapter IV, verse 7, which reads, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:", which might be something a very religious combat pilot might reference on the side of his combat airplane. That same-numbered chapter and verse in the FIRST book does not read anything like having to do with fighting or combat.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Fokker DR-1 triplanes were never used in the great quantities seen in the film. The filmmakers used them because they were easily distinguished from the allied biplanes, and didn't want to leave viewers unsure as to who was on what side during these sequences.

Quotes:

Eugene Skinner: You still wanna rub my head for luck, Rawlings?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Worst of 2006" (2007)

Soundtrack:

How Ya Gunna Keep 'em Down on the Farm (After They've Seen Paree?)

Lafayette Escadrille

This is the story of American volunteers who fought for the French during World War I before America entered the war. It is based on a true story, and largely faithful to that story. The first world war was the first "ugly" war. It is the first war where, as one of the characters observes, "Neither side will win. It will just end." And, this movie does not shrink away from showing the horror, the ugliness, and the overwhelming grimness of war.

Because the special effects made it possible, more than any movie in recent memory, it graphically shows the excitement and the adrenaline rush of combat flying. The combat sequences are nothing short of dazzling; they were so good I could experience vicariously the rush of bullets tearing through cloth fuselages, the spins and turns, and dips and climbs, and barrel rolls, and dives, and with all that, I could look inside myself and know I did not have the courage to do what they did. In the end, that's what this story is about, and the love story, the individual pilot lives fade into the background.

Still, it's worth noting, one of the movie's best moments is the denouement where we learn what happened to the Americans of the Lafayette Escadrille, those who survived. I won't spoil it for you, just know that truth is stranger than fiction, and often a good deal sadder. I enjoyed Flyboys for what it was: the chance to vicariously experience the adrenaline rush of aerial combat. Performances were good, and Jean Reno was great as the captain of the Lafayette Escadrille. Nice popcorn flick.