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Jet Pilot

Play trailer Poster for Jet Pilot G 1957 1h 52m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 41% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
During the Cold War, a Russian jet enters air space over Alaska and is escorted to an American air base. The pilot, Anna Marladovna (Janet Leigh) demands asylum but refuses to provide information on Soviet activities. Col. Jim Shannon (John Wayne) receives orders to befriend Anna in order to win her confidence and gather information. The pilots compete with each other but gradually fall in love. When it appears Anna may be deported, Jim marries her -- only to discover that she may be a spy.

Critics Reviews

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Francois Truffaut Arts (France) To be sure, the film's intention is stupid propaganda, but Sternberg constantly turns it aside so that tears come to our eyes in the face of such beauty. May 6, 2022 Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion Sternberg uses the espionage and counter-espionage of Jules Furthman's screenplay to depict the mysteries of relationships Sep 6, 2009 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com The only way to enjoy this Hughes-Wayne propaganda vehicle is as high camp (Janet Leigh realizes the Soviet System doesn't work when doorknobs come off)--it's a footnote in Josef von Sternberg's career. Rated: C May 27, 2006 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A major disappointment. Rated: C+ Dec 25, 2005 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) Camp value only. Poor Sternberg! Rated: 3/5 Dec 4, 2003 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Despite its drawbacks and its overall silliness, I most heartily recommend Jet Pilot. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member This one is without a doubt my all-time favorite film directed by the legendary, innovative, and notorious Howard Hughes. Judging by the movie poster you would think that its an exciting action drama film, but I would classify this as a spicy comedy film. I was in awe of this beautiful RKO Technicolor adventure film the first time I saw it. There is absolutely NO stock footage used in this film; Howard Hughes filmed real jet fighter planes. I think sometimes the setting, the color process, and the cinematography of a movie can really capture the personality/looks of a certain actor/actress; in this case it's Janet Leigh. She plays a Russian Jet fighter pilot; how many leading ladies in Old Hollywood got unique, exciting roles like that? John Wayne, who is usually the hero of every movie he stars in, is actually overshadowed by Janet Leigh who is presented as a superior jet pilot. Only Howard Hughes would have dared contradict John Wayne's tough reputation in the movies. So if you're a John Wayne fan I would not recommend watching this film, not unless you want to see "The Duke" act completely out of character and require the help of a woman. I didn't expect Janet Leigh to be the ultimate hero at the end of the movie! If you like Janet Leigh especially in her earlier film roles, THIS IS A MUST-SEE!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Janet Leigh is painful to watch as a Soviet jet pilot, but the rest of the film is really good. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Janet Leigh is painful to watch as a Soviet jet pilot, but the rest of the film is really good. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Silly cold war romantic drama featuring some excellent photography of stunt flying Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member John Wayne never fits well in contemporary roles, although here Janet Leigh is worse with terrible acting and an unconvincing Communist character. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member the flight scenes were all nicely shot though that story was a bit old fashioned it was still a nice film Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Jet Pilot

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Jet Pilot

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Movie Info

Synopsis During the Cold War, a Russian jet enters air space over Alaska and is escorted to an American air base. The pilot, Anna Marladovna (Janet Leigh) demands asylum but refuses to provide information on Soviet activities. Col. Jim Shannon (John Wayne) receives orders to befriend Anna in order to win her confidence and gather information. The pilots compete with each other but gradually fall in love. When it appears Anna may be deported, Jim marries her -- only to discover that she may be a spy.
Director
Josef von Sternberg
Producer
Jules Furthman
Production Co
RKO Radio Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
May 30, 2006
Runtime
1h 52m