Wings

PG-13

Released Jan 15, 1927

2h 19m

War

History

Drama

List

94%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

79%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

With World War I afoot, David Armstrong (Richard Arlen) and Jack Powell (Charles "Buddy" Rogers) join the military with an eye toward flying American fighter planes. They leave behind Mary Preston (Clara Bow), a local girl who's in love with David but committed to Jack. Dispatched to France as newly minted pilots, the men take to the skies in one of the war's climactic air battles, and as frantic Mary longs for the safe return of both men, one pays the ultimate price for his bravery.

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Critics Consensus

Subsequent war epics may have borrowed heavily from the original Best Picture winner, but they've all lacked Clara Bow's luminous screen presence and William Wellman's deft direction.

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Wilella Waldorf

New York Post

A great deal of sentimental and weepy material is thrust into the tale here and there, along with long stretches of what may be termed for want of a better designation, "just war."

Feb 10, 2021

Full Review

Bernice Foy

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Charles Rogers and Richard Arlen share honors as stars, with Clara Row as the feminine lead. While the picture is rather long, it holds the interest.

Feb 9, 2021

Full Review

Edwin Schallert

Los Angeles Times

Wings is unquestionably the dazzle and pyrotechnics of the screen fulfilled in a new sphere, and teems with twentieth century timeliness.

Feb 9, 2021

Full Review

Pare Lorentz

Judge

You will get a real feeling of flying when you see Wings... Because of this and because it has the best photography I have ever seen in an American motion picture, Wings ranks as a superior movie.

Oct 26, 2023

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Full of innovative flying scenes, dogfights, strung-out love triangles, and set against the backdrop of World War I, Wings still holds up well nearly a century later.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Kyle Bain

Film Threat

In my opinion, it’s not possible to create a perfect film, but Wings, in all of its cinematic glory, comes incredibly close.

Rated: 9/10

Mar 23, 2022

Full Review

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ChrisCSH H

"Wings" is a true cinematic marvel for its time. The special effects that were used throughout the film are truly spectacular for film of that age of early cinema. It's a film that has many ups and downs throughout. it show every aspect of World War I, and the brave aviators, who fought during that time in that war, they were truly some of the greatest heroes of all time and this picture honors them for their sacrifice. The performances from Clara Bow & Charles "Buddy" Rogers are truly magnificent, especially, Clara Bow, the acting she was able to bring through the camera is truly incredible and her cheerful and exuberant performance shines in this picture. Without any shadow of doubt, "wings" was very deserving of being the very first best picture winner at the Academy Awards. It truly is a fantastic film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Woody W

This film is remarable for its flying scenes. While the plot (two boys after same girl other girl loves boy next door) is even a bit over dramatic for even 1927, the war and flying scenes keep me coming back for more. Gary Cooper shows promise in short cameo while Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen are OK as ace flyers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/24

Full Review

Nathan T

Wings is incredible. Enormously impressive.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

Teddy B

Skilled direction and a delightfully joyous and comedic tone help this picture soar to great heights.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

The Southern P

You can definitely see why this movie did receive the first Oscar. There can be a stigma that silent movies are less interesting, but this movie really holds up. The acting is great, as are the aerobatics. It wasn't until I watched this film that I realized how static the filmography in most silent movies is. Beyond the plane-mounted cameras which were invented for this film, which provide incredible footage on their own, this movie includes now-common dynamic shots including zooming, panning, and tracking shots. It's amazing how much more visually interesting the movie is just by the filmography. When I watched this, I watched it at the local 1920s-built theater which still has its Wurlitzer organ from 1927 in place, and the screening was accompanied by a live organ performance, so this made it even more special. In any form, however, give this movie a try.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/03/24

Full Review

Jesse W

It's alright, it's clearly a product of its time and I understand why it was a big deal back in 1927. But I don't think that a lot of these old silent pictures age very well.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/23/23

Full Review

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William A. Wellman

Director

Clara Bow

Mary Preston

Charles "Buddy" Rogers

Jack Powell

Richard Arlen

David Armstrong

Jobyna Ralston

Sylvia Lewis

Gary Cooper

Cadet White

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Synopsis

With World War I afoot, David Armstrong (Richard Arlen) and Jack Powell (Charles "Buddy" Rogers) join the military with an eye toward flying American fighter planes. They leave behind Mary Preston (Clara Bow), a local girl who's in love with David but committed to Jack. Dispatched to France as newly minted pilots, the men take to the skies in one of the war's climactic air battles, and as frantic Mary longs for the safe return of both men, one pays the ultimate price for his bravery.

Director: William A. Wellman
Screenwriter: John Monk Saunders, Hope Loring, Louis D. Lighton, Julian Johnson
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: PG-13 (War Violence)
Genre: War, History, Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 15, 1927, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 16, 2012
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 20, 2012
Runtime: 2h 19m

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