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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 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. Rated: 4/5 Jan 29, 2024 Full Review Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial One of the most artistic and exciting works from Republic Pictures. [Full Review in Spanish] Sep 19, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 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. Rated: C+ Mar 9, 2008 Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Jingoistic, flag waving John Wayne action, circa 1942. Rated: 4/5 Feb 22, 2008 Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope While the plot is a clunky and the message heavyhanded, the acting is generally good. Rated: C Jan 27, 2007 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The film's best scenes are reserved for the 1930s style airplane dog-fights. Rated: C Sep 9, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jarrod R 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/10/24 Full Review Audience Member Excellent movie. Great story Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review ashley h 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member good WWII pic during WWII Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member The flying footage is often impressive but this is pretty generic otherwise. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review 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

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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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