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The Wings of Eagles (1957)

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 2

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Release Date: Jan 1, 1957 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 4,066

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Movie Info

The Wings of Eagles is filmmaker John Ford's paean to his frequent collaborator--and, it is rumored, drinking buddy--Cmdr. Frank "Spig" Wead. John Wayne stars as Wead, a reckless WW1 Naval aviator who (it says here) was instrumental in advancing the cause of American "air power". In private life, Wead becomes estranged from his wife Minnie (Maureen O'Hara) after the death of their baby. Drinking heavily, Wead tumbles down the stairs of his home, and as a result he is apparently paralyzed for

Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

Directed By: John Ford

Written By: Frank Fenton, William Wister Haines

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1957 Wide

On DVD: Jun 6, 2006

Cast

John Wayne
Frank W. "Spig" Wead
Dan Dailey
"Jughead" Carson
Maureen O'Hara
Minnie Wead
Ward Bond
John Dodge
Ken Curtis
John Dale Price
Edmund Lowe
Adm. Moffett
Kenneth Tobey
Capt. Herbert Allen Haz...
James Todd
Jack Travis
Barry Kelley
Capt. Jock Clark
Sig Rumann
Party Manager
Henry O'Neill
Capt. Spear
Willis B. Bouchey
Barton
Dorothy Jordan
Rose Brentmann
Tige Andrews
"Arizona" Pincus
Veda Ann Borg
Danny Borzage
Pete
Olive Carey
Bridy O'Faolain
James Flavin
Military Policeman at g...
Mimi Gibson
Lila Wead
Fred Graham
Officer in brawl
Sam Harris
Patient
William Henry
Naval aide
Louis Jean Heydt
Dr. John Keye
Stuart Holmes
Producer
Cliff Lyons
Mae Marsh
Nurse Crumley
May McAvoy
Nurse
Alberto Morin
2nd Manager
Peter Ortiz
Lt. Charles Dexter
Chuck Roberson
Officer
Evelyn Rudie
Doris Wead
William Tracy
Air Force Officer
Charles Trowbridge
Adm. Crown
Harlan Warde
Executive Officer
Jack Pennick
Joe McGuffey
Janet Lake
Nurse
Sig Ruman

Critic Reviews for The Wings of Eagles

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (2) | DVD (2)

Wants to be epic in scope but ends up feeling like ham-fisted CliffsNotes version of a man's life. The film loiters way, way too long on Frank Wead's early days as a hell-raising test pilot, then skips ahead through long sections of his life.

April 25, 2011 Full Review Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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Christopher Lloyd

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Though sentimental as a biopic of Navy hero Frank (Sig) Wead, John Ford's film has old-fashioned charm, a result of John Wayne's lead performance and his chemistry with Maureen O'Hara.

July 15, 2008 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

This routine sentimental biopic is directed with much feeling by John Ford.

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

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Audience Reviews for The Wings of Eagles

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John Ford's follow-up to The Searchers is surprisingly un-remarkable. A biopic of Frank "Spig" Wead, a solider turned cripple turned screenwriter, "The Wings of Eagles is an impeccably crafted piece of fluffy propaganda.

May 7, 2007

Ken Stachnik

Super Reviewer

An excellent and often-moving biopic about navy-flier-turned-screenwriter Frank "Spig" Wead, this film features fine dramatic performances from John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Features the usual John Ford elements of sentimentality and brawling slapstick, but there's also an underlying poignancy that makes this a treat.

December 16, 2007

Dean McKenna

Super Reviewer

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