Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Air Force

  • 19431943
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
John Garfield, John Ridgely, and Gig Young in Air Force (1943)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:15
1 Video
17 Photos
  • Action
  • Drama
  • History

The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.

IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Howard Hawks
  • Writers
    • Dudley Nichols(original screenplay)
    • William Faulkner(contributor to screenplay)
    • Leah Baird(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • John Garfield
    • John Ridgely
    • Gig Young
Top credits
  • Director
    • Howard Hawks
  • Writers
    • Dudley Nichols(original screenplay)
    • William Faulkner(contributor to screenplay)
    • Leah Baird(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • John Garfield
    • John Ridgely
    • Gig Young
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 67User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Air Force
    Trailer 2:15
    Air Force

    Photos17

    John Garfield and John Ridgely in Air Force (1943)
    Air Force (1943)
    Ann Doran and John Ridgely in Air Force (1943)
    James Brown, Charles Drake, Pat Gleason, Arthur Kennedy, John Ridgely, George Tobias, and Gig Young in Air Force (1943)
    Harry Carey in Air Force (1943)
    Air Force (1943)
    James Brown, Arthur Kennedy, John Ridgely, and Gig Young in Air Force (1943)
    Air Force (1943)
    John Garfield and Gig Young in Air Force (1943)
    John Garfield and John Ridgely in Air Force (1943)
    Air Force (1943)
    John Garfield, John Ridgely, and Gig Young in Air Force (1943)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Garfield
    John Garfield
    • Sergeant Joe Winocki - 'Mary Ann' Rear Gunneras Sergeant Joe Winocki - 'Mary Ann' Rear Gunner
    John Ridgely
    John Ridgely
    • Captain Mike Quincannon - 'Mary Ann' Pilotas Captain Mike Quincannon - 'Mary Ann' Pilot
    Gig Young
    Gig Young
    • Lieut. Bill Williams - 'Mary Ann' Co-Pilotas Lieut. Bill Williams - 'Mary Ann' Co-Pilot
    Arthur Kennedy
    Arthur Kennedy
    • Lieut. Tommy McMartin - 'Mary Ann' Bombardieras Lieut. Tommy McMartin - 'Mary Ann' Bombardier
    Charles Drake
    Charles Drake
    • Lieut. Manchester - 'Mary Ann' Navigatoras Lieut. Manchester - 'Mary Ann' Navigator
    Harry Carey
    Harry Carey
    • Sgt. Robbie White - 'Mary Ann' Crew Chiefas Sgt. Robbie White - 'Mary Ann' Crew Chief
    George Tobias
    George Tobias
    • Corporal Weinberg - 'Mary Ann' Asst. Crew Chiefas Corporal Weinberg - 'Mary Ann' Asst. Crew Chief
    Ward Wood
    • Corporal Peterson - 'Mary Ann' Radio Operatoras Corporal Peterson - 'Mary Ann' Radio Operator
    Ray Montgomery
    Ray Montgomery
    • Private Chester - 'Mary Ann' Asst. Radio Operatoras Private Chester - 'Mary Ann' Asst. Radio Operator
    James Brown
    James Brown
    • Lieut. Tex Rader - Pursuit Pilot - Passengeras Lieut. Tex Rader - Pursuit Pilot - Passenger
    Stanley Ridges
    Stanley Ridges
    • Major Malloryas Major Mallory
    Willard Robertson
    Willard Robertson
    • Colonel at Hickam Fieldas Colonel at Hickam Field
    Moroni Olsen
    Moroni Olsen
    • Colonel Blakeas Colonel Blake
    Edward Brophy
    Edward Brophy
    • Marine Sgt. J.J. Callahanas Marine Sgt. J.J. Callahan
    • (as Edward S. Brophy)
    Richard Lane
    Richard Lane
    • Maj. W.G. Robertsas Maj. W.G. Roberts
    Bill Crago
    • Lieut. P T. Moranas Lieut. P T. Moran
    Faye Emerson
    Faye Emerson
    • Susan McMartinas Susan McMartin
    Addison Richards
    Addison Richards
    • Maj. Danielsas Maj. Daniels
    • Director
      • Howard Hawks
    • Writers
      • Dudley Nichols(original screenplay)
      • William Faulkner(contributor to screenplay) (uncredited)
      • Leah Baird(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
    7.2
    Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
    Destination Tokyo
    7.1
    Destination Tokyo
    Battleground
    7.4
    Battleground
    Pride of the Marines
    7.3
    Pride of the Marines
    The Road to Glory
    6.9
    The Road to Glory
    Barbary Coast
    6.8
    Barbary Coast
    We Were Strangers
    6.6
    We Were Strangers
    Across the Pacific
    6.8
    Across the Pacific
    Twelve O'Clock High
    7.7
    Twelve O'Clock High
    The Dawn Patrol
    7.2
    The Dawn Patrol
    The Search
    7.8
    The Search
    Come and Get It
    6.9
    Come and Get It

    Storyline

    Edit
    On December 6, 1941 nine B-17 bombers 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. —garykmcd / edited by Rob
    • flying over the ocean
    • u.s. military
    • war propaganda
    • aircrew
    • air crew
    • 164 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • GIANTS OF THE SKY...blazing a trail to victory!
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Drama
      • History
      • War
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Because of the constant noise in the planes air crews wore "throat mics." These had two pickups that sat against the larynx (vocal cords) and picked the sound up directly from them. You will notice that whenever a crew member speaks he puts his hand up against the mic and presses it against his throat. This helped ensure good sound pickup.
    • Goofs
      Despite reports by Susan McMartin and other characters attributing the loss of planes at Hickham Field and attacks on civilians to Japanese-American saboteurs in bomb-ladened vegetable trucks, there were in fact no actual acts of sabotage. The reports made in the film were propaganda reflecting the hysteria of time.
    • 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 this woild. The only noise you hear is the hardening of your arteries. You know when I used to drive a hack, I had a pal who crossed that bridge in 1929. Ain't ever heard from him since.

      Radio Operator Peterson: Me, I'll take Minneapolis.

      Assistant Crew Chief Weinberg: Minneapolis? Why, the grass still grows in the streets. Besides, that ain't your hometown, Peterson. The hayseed's still stickin' outta your hair.

      Radio Operator Peterson: Yeah, but I can still milk a cow. I bet you can't.

      Assistant Crew Chief Weinberg: I'll get mine outta a bottle. That's the closest I ever wanna be to a cow.

      Sgt. Robbie White: You are handy with the old bull.

      Assistant Crew Chief Weinberg: [laughs]

    • 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
    • Connections
      Edited into War and Remembrance: Part IV (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      The Army Air Corps Song
      (1939) (uncredited)

      ("Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder")

      Written by Robert Crawford

      Played during the opening credits and often throughout the film

    User reviews67

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    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.
    helpful•24
    2
    • johno-21
    • Mar 1, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 20, 1943 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros.
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Archipiélago en llamas
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Barbara, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,646,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ would be 9th film to win only Best Film Editing Oscar
    ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ would be 9th film to win only Best Film Editing Oscar
    Apr 23Gold Derby
    Space Force Trailer: Steve Carell Returns to TV!
    Space Force Trailer: Steve Carell Returns to TV!
    May 5TVfanatic

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    John Garfield, John Ridgely, and Gig Young in Air Force (1943)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Air Force (1943) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.