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Island in the Sky

Play trailer Poster for Island in the Sky Released Sep 3, 1953 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
While flying supplies to England during World War II, Capt. Dooley (John Wayne) is forced to crash land his plane in the icy wilds of Canada. Together, Dooley and his hardy crew struggle to survive in uncharted territory -- with the arctic temperature steadily dropping. Meanwhile, back at the army headquarters in Maine, Col. Fuller (Walter Abel) rallies his capable crew in a desperate search for the downed airmen, knowing that every second counts.
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Island in the Sky

Critics Reviews

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Ian Kane Epoch Times Combined with a tension-filled score, and great writing, this movie proves that you don’t need a frenzied cavalcade of orange fireballs and deafening noises to catch viewers’ attention. Rated: 4/5 Dec 31, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Solid. Rated: 3/4 May 30, 2021 Full Review Manny Farber The Nation Aerial photography in shivery weather provides some thrills but not enough to make up for Wayne's dreary monologues addressed to himself, the faulty use of stereophonic sound, and the waste of some good actors like Lloyd Nolan and Bob [Steele]. Nov 24, 2020 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Weakened in spots by touches of cloying sentimentality, this is still an interesting outdoor yarn... Nov 5, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Though not as good as The High and The Mighty, this similarly themed action-adventure of an aircraft crash, survival, and rescue is decently exceuted by the same team, helmer William Wellman and star John Wayne, who also produced through his company. Rated: B- Aug 22, 2009 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews An easy to take 'boys out in the wilderness' tale. Rated: B- Jul 19, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Hunter R The best aviation movie I've ever seen!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/17/24 Full Review Audience Member A decent little 'lost in the woods' flick. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review andy f An oddball survival movie with lots of strange moments. John Wayne is fantastic though and the aerial shots of Corsairs flying are superb. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review chris h I've been flying for over 20 years. The first few minutes of this film are some of the most accurate aviation imagery I have ever seen. They really capture the intensity of an in-air emergency. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Perfect/Priceless!!!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the best films any of these talents was ever involved with (John Wayne, director William Wellman, screenwriter and advisor Ernest K. Gann , and everyone else connected with the production). After decades of legal conflicts, it's delightful to see the restored film made available again. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Island in the Sky

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Cast & Crew

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William A. Wellman

Director

John Wayne

Captain Dooley

Lloyd Nolan

Captain Stutz

Walter Abel

Colonel Fuller

James Arness

Mac McMullen

Andy Devine

Willie Moon

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Island in the Sky

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Movie Info

Synopsis While flying supplies to England during World War II, Capt. Dooley (John Wayne) is forced to crash land his plane in the icy wilds of Canada. Together, Dooley and his hardy crew struggle to survive in uncharted territory -- with the arctic temperature steadily dropping. Meanwhile, back at the army headquarters in Maine, Col. Fuller (Walter Abel) rallies his capable crew in a desperate search for the downed airmen, knowing that every second counts.
Director
William A. Wellman
Screenwriter
Ernest K. Gann
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 3, 1953, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 27, 2013
Runtime
1h 49m
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