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Air Force Photos

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Movie Info

On December 6, 1941, the crew of the Mary-Ann (including Arthur Kennedy, George Tobias, John Garfield) heads from California to Hawaii in a routine training flight. On the fateful trip, they witness the attack on Pearl Harbor and are unable to help in their unarmed B-17 bomber. With the Japanese strike spurring the United States into World War II, the crew is reassigned to aid in the defense of the Philippines and endures constant attacks from enemy combatants.

Genre:

war
Original Language:

English
Director:

Howard Hawks
Release Date (Streaming):

Jul 28, 2008
Runtime:

2h 4m
Production Co:

Warner Brothers/Seven Arts

Cast & Crew

John Ridgely
Pilot

Gig Young
Co-Pilot

Arthur Kennedy
Bombardier

John Garfield
Aerial Gunner

Charles Drake
Navigator

Harry Carey
Crew Chief

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Air Force

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (2)

Although it draws about the longest and most pliant bow that has ever been drawn in the line of fanciful war films and goes completely overboard in the last reel, it is still a continuously fascinating, frequently thrilling and occasionally exalting show.

March 25, 2006 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Bosley Crowther
New York Times
Howard Hawks finds a perfect vehicle for his study of the male group. William Faulkner polished the dialogue, but as a silent it would still be tremendously exciting and evocative.

January 1, 2000 | Full Review…

Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
I cannot be sure how I feel about Air Force. It is loud, loose, sincere, violently masculine, and at times quite exciting.

February 10, 2021 | Full Review…

James Agee
The Nation
There isn't a literary line in Air Force; and there isn't a phony character.

September 20, 2019 | Full Review…

Gilbert Seldes
Esquire Magazine
Air Force can't escape the shadow of its own jingoism. Its point wasn't just to inspire an American public but to make monsters of its enemies. It did so with chilling efficiency.

December 29, 2018 | Rating: 6/10 | Full Review…

Nathanael Hood
The Retro Set
A cheery bit of war propaganda that feels cringeworthy today, in which American soldiers seem extraordinarily giddy about the prospect of near-certain death, coupled with some terrible special-effects miniatures.

January 16, 2012 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Christopher Lloyd
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The versatile Howard Hawks combines personal experience and knowing skills in directing this enjoyable WWII propaganda movie, which was nominated for four Oscars, winning one for editing.

July 6, 2009 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Gritty, emotional actioner made at height of WWII. Strong cast.

March 6, 2008 | Rating: 5/5

Steve Crum
Video-Reviewmaster.com
All of director Howard Hawks' skills are on display in this exciting, crackerjack WWII film.

June 14, 2007 | Full Review…

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
For a propaganda film, this one is superior.

January 30, 2007 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
It isn't one of the director's most impressive outputs, but when a solid genre entry such as this is one of your "lesser" films, it says a lot about the quality of your work.

April 23, 2005 | Rating: 66/100 | Full Review…

Derek Smith
Cinematic Reflections