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      Flying Leathernecks

      Released Aug 28, 1951 1h 42m War List
      75% 8 Reviews Tomatometer 63% 2,500+ Ratings Audience Score As the new commanding officer of a squadron of Marine pilots, Maj. Daniel Kirby (John Wayne), a stern and strict leader, cannot believe the lack of discipline exhibited by the soldiers. As the men resist Kirby's harsh adherence to orders, Capt. Carl Griffin (Robert Ryan) leads their cause for a more relaxed environment. But by pushing his men beyond their limits, Kirby slowly transforms them into battle-ready warriors, forcing all of them to make sacrifices along the way. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Jun 04 Buy Now

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      Critics Reviews

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      Variety Staff Variety Marquee pull of John Wayne and Robert Ryan in the action market has been teamed with a story of Marine fighter pilots. Oct 23, 2007 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out This is arguably Ray's least distinguished film, a relatively conventional, anonymous WWII drama made for RKO mogul Howard Hughes. Jan 26, 2006 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Director Nicholas Ray stamped his indelible style on many a movie (In a Lonely Place, Johnny Guitar, Rebel Without a Cause, etc.), but this ain't one of them. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 19, 2020 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Though John Wayne plays a similar role to that of his other WWII movies (Sands of Iwo Jima), the tough but sensitive commander, this picture is better than the rest due to smooth and crispy direction by Nicholas Ray. Rated: B Mar 9, 2008 Full Review TV Guide Overlong but action-filled. Rated: 3/4 Oct 23, 2007 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews This is the most ordinary film Nicholas Ray ever made. Rated: B- Aug 8, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      CodyZamboni Overall, this is kind of backwards moviemaking. The producers got their hands on all this color combat footgage, and decided to make a movie around it. So when movie switches back and forth, between real and staged, it really took me out of the drama. That said, the movie is anchored by the two stars, which makes the film watchable. Especially John Wayne. This is a more hard edged WW2 role for him. He's tough as nails, and has no time to babysit and coddle his young squad, and he frequently calls out their bs. This is contrasted with Robert Ryan. He leadership style is to be one of the guys, be more empathetic, and the two leads clash alot, espcially when lives are lost. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/09/23 Full Review Andy F A tribute to the American servicemen that fought in the pacific war. This was forever on TV in the 1970s and 80s, The blending of real footage in the movie adds real gravitas. John Wayne is as fantastic as ever. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A very entertaining WWII flick about marine dog fighters in the South Pacific. It's not a pet of WWII that gets much shown on film, so it's always a good to see a film handle it well. This is easily my favorite non cowboy role from John Wayne, who is very believable as a strict Major. Robert Ryan plays off Wayne well as the Captain under Wayne who have different philosophies on how to lead the men. The real footage used in the combat scenes is definitely a choice that at the time would've been cool, but now feels a little tasteless. Though it works for the flying scenes since it makes them feel more real. The film unfortunately kind of loses steam in the last 30 minutes when the soldiers come home and visit their families. It brings the momentum to a halt and definitely feels like the filmmakers knew it and added one last big aerial fight scene in at the end. Overall though this is a good WWII film with very good performances from its two leading men, a good Saturday afternoon flick for you and your dad. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Well to put it simply...It kinda sucked!...It was your typical J.W. Movie and showed no imagination. All the stock footage was bad at most times but nothing as bad as the dialog.....This movie was a waste of popcorn...I'd give it maybe two stars...MAYBE..... Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member The main problem with the Flying Leathernecks is that it doesn't really seem to have much of a backbone to help drive it or it's hardcore, war story along, outside of it's two extremely talented leads (Wayne and Ryan) and possibly it's dedication too and/ or honouring of the courageous Marine fighter pilots that participated in some of the most intense and epic battles in WWII. My grade for the film: an overall B-, maybe even a B Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Better than average war film that interleaves newsreel footage in the aerial combat scenes. All the usual cliches are there but the good cast makes up for them. Reminiscent of The Dawn Patrol in its theme of isolation brought on by command. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Flying Leathernecks

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis As the new commanding officer of a squadron of Marine pilots, Maj. Daniel Kirby (John Wayne), a stern and strict leader, cannot believe the lack of discipline exhibited by the soldiers. As the men resist Kirby's harsh adherence to orders, Capt. Carl Griffin (Robert Ryan) leads their cause for a more relaxed environment. But by pushing his men beyond their limits, Kirby slowly transforms them into battle-ready warriors, forcing all of them to make sacrifices along the way.
      Director
      Nicholas Ray
      Screenwriter
      James Edward Grant
      Distributor
      RKO Radio Pictures
      Production Co
      RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
      Genre
      War
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Aug 28, 1951, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 11, 2008
      Runtime
      1h 42m
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