During World War II, an insubordinate fighter pilot finds the shoe on the other foot when he's promoted.During World War II, an insubordinate fighter pilot finds the shoe on the other foot when he's promoted.During World War II, an insubordinate fighter pilot finds the shoe on the other foot when he's promoted.
Bill McLean
- Pvt. Wilbur
- (as William McLean)
Jeff Richards
- Captain
- (scenes deleted)
- (as Richard Taylor)
Rory Mallinson
- Guard
- (scenes deleted)
George Adrian
- German Pilot
- (uncredited)
Robert Alderette
- Chappell's Crew Chief
- (uncredited)
Joel Allen
- Sentry
- (uncredited)
George Backus
- Sentry
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe fighter squadron in the film was equipped with 16 Republic P-47 Thunderbolts culled from Air National Guard units from Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. That is why the P-47s have different color schemes and other markings. The planes depicting Luftwaffe fighters were North American P-51 Mustangs from the California Air National Guard. The ANG pilots were able to fulfill their active duty flying requirements during the production of this film.
- GoofsMajor Hardin states that he served in both the Flying Tigers and the Eagle Squadron(s). The Eagle Squadrons were formed in England between September 1940 and July 1941 and were part of the Royal Air Force, serving until September 1942 when they were absorbed into the Army Air Forces. The Flying Tigers (American Volunteer Group) were formed during 1941, began operations in China in December 1941, and was absorbed into the Army Air Forces in July 1942. While it was possible that a pilot could have served in both units, there is no evidence that anyone did. This was strictly Hollywood. Also, Major Hardin is showing wearing a Chinese "blood chit" on the back of his flight jacket. The AVG used "blood chits" to help downed pilots get back to their bases (it was a kind of safe-passage note in Chinese), but would have been useless in Europe. Plus, it would have been unacceptable for a pilot assigned one fighter group to wear another group's symbol, much less a "blood chit" and no matter how much of a "hot-shot" he was.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Narrator: And so the brilliant page of history was written, thanks to the wisdom of the Mike McCreadys, to the inspiration of the Bill Brickleys, to the laughter of the Duke Chappells, to the eagerness of the Shorty Kirks, to the youth of the Tennessee Atkins, to the loyalty of the Stuart Hamiltons, and to the courage and the daring of the Ed Hardins, who streaked across the skies to make possible the victory below.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The True Adventures of Raoul Walsh (2014)
- SoundtracksWe Watch the Skyways
(uncredited)
Music by Max Steiner
Played during the opening credits and occasionally in the score
Featured review
Fun viewing, great fighter footage, poor production
I enjoyed this movie as an AF veteran and a nephew of a fighter pilot who flew in an England based squadron. I am not sure if I would have enjoyed the movie as much without that personal investment. The production is not that impressive. The story of the maverick fighter pilot having to accept responsibility after being thrust into a leadership role was fairly predictable, in 2006. Maybe it was new and refreshing in 1948, but this is not a classic, must have, multifaceted war classic. However, it is a good viewing, once every few years, if you are a WWII buff. The inaccuracies and location problems are lost when I view the actual combat footage. The personal stories are consistent with reality, even though not told well.
helpful•81
- knscummings
- Jan 29, 2006
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,597,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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