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Wings

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Wings (1927)

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Reviews Counted: 24 Fresh: 24  Rotten:0 Average Rating: 7.8/10
 
Consensus: Subsequent war epics may have borrowed heavily from the original Best Picture winner, but they've all lacked Clara Bow's luminous screen presence and William Wellman's deft direction.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 2 hrs 19 mins

Synopsis: WINGS was the first film ever made that graphically captured the emotional combination of freedom and fear of flying in combat. Director William Wellman drew on his years in an elite flying squadron and pushed the cinematic technology of the day to its limit when he created this film's... WINGS was the first film ever made that graphically captured the emotional combination of freedom and fear of flying in combat. Director William Wellman drew on his years in an elite flying squadron and pushed the cinematic technology of the day to its limit when he created this film's timeless aerial sequences. The story revolves around two young men, of different classes, who have both fallen for the same young woman before they head off to combat. Richard Arlen and Charles Rogers are well paired as they fight it out over both Clara Bow and enemy soil, and Gary Cooper makes a memorable cameo appearance, which launched his career. The emotional current created by the three stars is as intense as the film's special effects, and the result adequately reflects the lasting brutality of war. This drama won the very first Academy Award for Best Picture. [More]

Genre: Action/Adventure

Starring: Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, Richard Arlen, Gary Cooper

Director: William Wellman

DVD Info

Release:

Nov 30, 1999

[DVD Details]

Buy It On DVD

Reviews

 
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B

The first Oscar winner for Best Picture was also the only silent film to win the Oscar.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/29/08
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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3/5

Clara Bow is mesmerising in this ahead-of-its-time air force drama.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/20/08
Empire Magazine
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N/A

There not being so much of Clara Bow in the picture, or a straining for her to turn on that 'it' personality, she gives an all around corking performance.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/19/08
Sid Silverman
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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3/4

Rather predictable but still quite watchable.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/12/06
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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N/A

It won the first Academy Award for best picture back in 1927, establishing a tradition of silliness that hasn't been broken to this day, but there is some thrilling flying footage and impressively expensive spectacle.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/12/06
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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2.5/4

Above par effects (for the time) matched with decent performances make for a modestly entertaining picture.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/05/06
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy
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N/A

Long touted as a classic by cinema historians, and justifying almost every adjectival extravagance.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
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5/5

No review available.

comment Comment
09/23/05
Michael Szymanski
Zap2it.com
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3/4

The first collaborative effort between Holywood and the Air Force, Wings enjoyed the administration's support on the condition that it projects a positive image of the military, emphasizing male camaraderie and heroism.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/27/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
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4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
04/27/05
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
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5/5

The classic war epic-meets-buddy-movie from which most others since have been derived.

comment Comment
02/13/05
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times
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3/5

Nice. Not thrilling, but nice.

comment Comment
04/25/04
Gregory Weinkauf
New Times
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N/A

An early buddies-go-to-war story that still echoes in today's movies.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/16/04
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher
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4/5

The main attraction for this movie is the aerial fight sequences. They’re some of the most exciting combat scenes I’ve seen, and this is for a film that was made in 1927!

Full Review | comment Comment
07/01/03
Matt Easterbrook
Matt's Movie Reviews
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N/A

The airborne stunts, even to this day, are quite breathtaking and have rarely been surpassed; just as notable are the land-based war sequences, in particular a trench that collapses with devastating consequences.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
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5/5

No review available.

comment Comment
03/03/03
Brandon Judell
PopcornQ
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3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
01/23/03
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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5/5

One of the best silent films ever made.

comment Comment
10/11/02
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
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B+

Clara Bow and Buddy Rogers develop their characters and bring far more life to the screen than anyone in the forgettable Bruckheimer-Bay rip-off WWII love story

Full Review | comment Comment
09/01/02
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
08/06/02
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire
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