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Flying Tigers

Play trailer Poster for Flying Tigers 1942 1h 42m War Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Jim Gordon is the head of a group of American pilots working for the Chinese government against the invading Japanese two years prior to Pearl Harbor. Hothead Woody Jason joins them but despite being a hotshot flyer, he's also a liability. When he causes the death of veteran pilot Hap Smith, the rest ostracize him and only an ultimate sacrifice will wipe the slate clean.
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Flying Tigers

Critics Reviews

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Ian Kane Epoch Times 01/29/2024
4/5
As a World War II romantic war drama, “Flying Tigers” is a fine film with excellent pacing, engaging characters, and some gripping aerial dogfighting sequences. Go to Full Review Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial 09/19/2019
One of the most artistic and exciting works from Republic Pictures. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 03/09/2008
C+
As a war film, it's weak, but thematically, it is significant for introducing the two-generational conflicts that defined most of John Wayne's features, war, adventures, and Westerns. Go to Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com 02/22/2008
4/5
Jingoistic, flag waving John Wayne action, circa 1942. Go to Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope 01/27/2007
C
While the plot is a clunky and the message heavyhanded, the acting is generally good. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 09/09/2005
C
The film's best scenes are reserved for the 1930s style airplane dog-fights. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jarrod R 03/10/2024 Solid performances throughout and while there were some obvious reuse of battle clips, overall, the action was dramatic and effective for the time. Was especially impressed with the acting of John Carroll's portrayal of Woody Jason, the brash pilot who goes in only thinking about the money and then learning a valuable lesson along the way. It was also fun to watch Anna Lee as the stalwart nurse Brooke Elliott, the love interest of The Duke and strong enough to hold her own. I later learned that she portrayed Sister Margaretta in The Sound Of Music. Same war, but a continent apart. For Disney fans, be on the lookout for Mickey Mouse Club host and composer of the "Mickey Mouse March," Jimmie Dodd as a plucky pilot. As for The Duke, this is one of my favorite roles of his, and while I'm not as enamored with his off screen persona, he is quite good in these types of roles. Flying Tigers is worth a look, and may provide a jumping off point for a deeper dive into the months before the U.S. entered WWII. See more 09/17/2019 Excellent movie. Great story See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 04/01/2016 Flying Tigers is an excellent film. It is about Captain Jim Gordon's command of the famed American mercenary fighter group in China. John Wayne and John Carroll give amazing performances. The screenplay is well written. David Miller did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the action and drama. See more 04/21/2014 good WWII pic during WWII See more 04/07/2012 If I had been John Wayne's character in this movie I would have taken the Woody Jason character out back and shot him in the back of the fucking head. There's no room for an asshole like that in a military unit getting everybody killed. See more 12/13/2011 The flying footage is often impressive but this is pretty generic otherwise. See more Read all reviews
Flying Tigers

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Cast & Crew

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David Miller

Director

John Wayne

Capt. Jim Gordon

John Carroll

Woodrow "Woody" Jason

Anna Lee

Brooke Elliott

Paul Kelly

Hap Smith

Gordon Jones

"Alabama" Smith

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Flying Tigers

Flying Tigers (1942) Flying Tigers (1942) Flying Tigers (1942) Flying Tigers (1942) Flying Tigers (1942) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Jim Gordon is the head of a group of American pilots working for the Chinese government against the invading Japanese two years prior to Pearl Harbor. Hothead Woody Jason joins them but despite being a hotshot flyer, he's also a liability. When he causes the death of veteran pilot Hap Smith, the rest ostracize him and only an ultimate sacrifice will wipe the slate clean.
Director
David Miller
Producer
Edmund Grainger
Screenwriter
Kenneth Gamet
Distributor
Republic Pictures
Production Co
Republic Pictures Corporation
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 8, 1942, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 11, 2014
Runtime
1h 42m
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