The Tuskegee Airmen

TV-PG

1995

1 hr. 46 min.

Drama

List

86%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

A semi-fictionalized account of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-African-American Air Force squadron during World War II, the film centers on ambitious young pilot Hannibal Lee (Laurence Fishburne). Despite initial reticence by higher ranking white officers, Lee, along with Walter Peoples (Allen Payne), Leroy Cappy (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), and others, are deployed into combat. As the successful missions mount, the Tuskegee Airmen develop a reputation as an able, fearsome group of pilots.

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Steve D

Effective but not as much as had it been based on the real people.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Just ok, average, as I finally watched today. Acting was suspect at times and I was not sure what to think of combining some action scenes with actual WW2 footage. Fishburne is typically a lot stronger in roles as a lead. Gooding Jr. was hit and miss. I thought "Shooter McGavin" was strong though as a racist major, (Christopher McDonald). 2.5 of 5 stars.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I don't think I've been more disappointed in a movie as I have in Tuskegee Airmen. This story, and the men who lived it, deserve so much more than the treatment they got. The movie has all the subtlety of a hot pink Hummer with bright purple rims. While the more intimate scenes with Fishburne, Gooding, and Payne were wonderful and superbly acted, the rest of the acting was so over-the-top, it was sickening. The music was like a sledgehammer trying to jam the intended emotion in your ears on case you have no idea how you're supposed to feel when a black man finally gets his dream flight or when another meets his terrible end. The clichéd radio dialogue accompanying the air battles took me entirely out of any sense of realism. Even worse is the low budget action sequences where they've replaced carefully choreographed dog fights with stock WWII battle footage. Don't these heroes deserve a far better treatment similar to the understated, but incredibly effective, acting and score, not to mention the incredible realism of the battle scenes, of Saving Private Ryan? Oh, and do us all a favor.... Don't try and convince us that a 35 year old Laurence Fishburne is in his early 20's. He just can't pull off a younger man. He looks the same age as the guy playing his father.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

jon c

An HBO historical drama that has its roots deep in American history Based on the true accounts of the 332nd American air squadron It's World War II and the Air Force is in desperate need of pilots for combat A few select African American recruits are trained but of course hardly any of the whites want to see them in action The movie has the likes of Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Andre Braugher, Courtney B. Vance, and John Lithgow Lithgow is the racist Senator Conyers along with Christopher McDonald as the cadets' commander Major Joy who want them to fail, both are looking for any excuse to dismiss the recruits whether through science or personal means There's already a war going on so starting one at the air base between the blacks and whites would be counterproductive, Lee in particular doesn't want to give his superiors the satisfaction of washing out and quitting, it shouldn't matter what color you are given that the enemy would still kill you regardless Even if a lot of this is fictionalized it's heart is in the right spot, the airplane scenes are well pulled off, and the acting is pretty solid for a TV movie Are we only to be Americans when it suits us?, it's one thing to feel about our country but how does our country actually feel about us?, a decent nation let's all it's citizens put their lives on the line, is it worth fighting for a country that rewards you but also burns you? Skip that ‘Red Tails' movie if you can and check this out instead as it's a much better-told account of these brave pilots with better character growth as well as much respect for its subject matter

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

jean h

Almost the perfect mix of aviator, man over prejudice, World War II historical accuracy and fine fine acting. But if you think I'm going to let the fact that it makes me cry every single time I watch it, and no, not because Billy "Train" Roberts augers in. Never mind the crying. Here's what's bugging me. It's the "excited" voice the actors, while flying, end up using because they think they should or the director does. It's just not done. Pilots don't, they just don't emote over radio. Somebody should have told somebody that. That's my criticism.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wonderful great inspiring movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

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Robert Markowitz

Director

Laurence Fishburne

Hannibal Lee

Allen Payne

Walter Peoples

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Leroy Cappy

Courtney B. Vance

Lt. Glenn

Andre Braugher

Benjamin O. Davis

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Walter Goodman

New York Times

This cliche-bound script is an equal-missed-opportunity employer.

Dec 8, 2017

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

The script's familiar, since air combat isn't a new genre by a long shot, but the additional mission of the men proving themselves gives telepic its extra dimension.

Aug 25, 2008

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

True story of African-Americans in WWII has mature themes.

Rated: 3/5

May 5, 2014

Full Review

TV Guide

A superbly crafted production featuring outstanding aerial sequences.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 25, 2008

Full Review

Rob Vaux

Flipside Movie Emporium

Too self-important, too cliched, and too dismissive of the talent at its disposal.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 29, 2005

Full Review

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 3/5

Jul 26, 2002

Full Review

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Synopsis

A semi-fictionalized account of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-African-American Air Force squadron during World War II, the film centers on ambitious young pilot Hannibal Lee (Laurence Fishburne). Despite initial reticence by higher ranking white officers, Lee, along with Walter Peoples (Allen Payne), Leroy Cappy (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), and others, are deployed into combat. As the successful missions mount, the Tuskegee Airmen develop a reputation as an able, fearsome group of pilots.

Director: Robert Markowitz
Executive Producer: Frank Price
Screenwriter: Paris Qualles, Trey Ellis, Ron Hutchinson
Production Co: HBO Pictures, Price Entertainment
Rating: TV-PG (L), PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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