The Wings of Eagles (1957)

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Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

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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 life. With the help of happy-go-lucky Navy mechanic Carson (Dan Dailey), Wead is able to regain minimal use of his legs, but it seems clear that his Naval career is over. Fortunately, he manages to find work as a prolific Hollywood screenwriter, and after the attack of Pearl Harbor he is called back to active duty to oversee the construction of "jeep carriers". Not one of John Ford's more coherent films--in fact, it's downright sloppy at times--The Wings of Eagles nonetheless contains several highlights, not least of which are the "I'm gonna move that toe" scene with John Wayne and Dan Dailey, and Ward Bond's inside-joke performance as irreverent film director "John Dodge".

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Cast

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

All Critics (4)

A bizarre, but touching, comical biopic.

Jan 16, 2015 | Full Review…
Combustible Celluloid

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.

Apr 25, 2011 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
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.

Jul 15, 2008 | Rating: B | Full Review…
EmanuelLevy.Com

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

Feb 8, 2005 | Rating: C | Full Review…
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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Audience Reviews for The Wings of Eagles

½

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.

Ken Stachnik
Ken Stachnik

Super Reviewer

½

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.

Dean McKenna
Dean McKenna

Super Reviewer

A movie that's powerful enough to make a grown man cry. John Ford tells the story of Frank Spig like no one else could have. With a combination of great action sequences and intimate character moments, this becomes more than just an average movie. John Wayne delivers a powerhouse performance, like always, and makes you truly admire Spig. It's such an uplifting and human story which shouldn't be missed by anyone.

Conner Rainwater
Conner Rainwater

Super Reviewer

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