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Flying Leathernecks (1951)

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All Critics
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Average Rating: 6.8/10
Reviews Counted: 7
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 3,873

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Movie Info

The Technicolor adventure epic Flying Leathernecks offers two things that film cultists can never get enough of: star John Wayne and director Nicholas Ray. Filmed at the behest of RKO chieftain Howard R. Hughes, Leathernecks is a paean to the Marine Flying Corps of World War II. Wayne plays Major Dan Kirby, a squadron commander, whose no-nonsense attitude is sharply at odds with the easygoing approach of executive officer Captain Carl Griffin (Robert Ryan). Griffin eventually learns the value of

Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

Directed By: Nicholas Ray

In Theaters: Aug 28, 1951 Wide

On DVD: May 4, 2004

VidAmerica

Flying Leathernecks Trailer & Photos

Cast

John Wayne
Maj. Dan Kirby
Robert Ryan
Capt. Carl Griffin
Don Taylor
Cowboy Blithe
Janis Carter
Joan Kirby
Jay C. Flippen
Master Sgt. Clancy
William Harrigan
Lt. Cmdr. Joe Curan
James Bell
Colonel
Maurice Jara
Shorty Vegay
Adam Williams
Lieutenant Malotke
James Dobson
Pudge McCabe
Carleton Young
Capt. McAllister
Brett King
Lieutenant Ernie Stark
Gordon Geberl
Tommy Kirby
Michael St. Angel
Lt. Jorgensen
Gail Davis
Virginia Blithe
Sam Edwards
Junior
James Flavin
"Mick" Shore Patrol Com...
Douglas Henderson
Barry Kelley
General
Harry Lauter
Freddie
Britt Norton
Lt. Tanner
Lynn Stalmaster
Lt. Castle
Milburn Stone
Ground control officer
Harlan Warde
Admiral's Aide
Dick Wessel
Mess sergeant
Mack Williams
Keith Larsen
John Mallory Asher
Lt. Black
Gordon Gebert

Critic Reviews for Flying Leathernecks

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (1) | DVD (4)

Marquee pull of John Wayne and Robert Ryan in the action market has been teamed with a story of Marine fighter pilots.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

Though John Wayne plays a similar role to that of his other WWII movies (Sands of Iwo Jima), the tough but sensitive commander, this picture is better than the rest due to smooth and crispy direction by Nicholas Ray.

March 9, 2008 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Overlong but action-filled.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

This is arguably Ray's least distinguished film, a relatively conventional, anonymous WWII drama made for RKO mogul Howard Hughes.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

This is the most ordinary film Nicholas Ray ever made.

August 8, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Pure WWII jingo and John Wayne. But stylish and heroic nonetheless.

August 1, 2005 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

The Flying Leathernecks packs a surprising amount of intelligent insight in with its nationalistic rally cry.

March 23, 2003 Full Review Source: MovieMartyr.com

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Jeremy Heilman

MovieMartyr.com

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Audience Reviews for Flying Leathernecks

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I'm not a huge Robert Ryan fan and this isn't my favorite of Wayne or Ray's either.Overall it's a pretty typical film of the Gung Ho military genre. The action scenes incorporate actual war footage which is pretty cool and Ray's editing is marvelous.

September 26, 2007