The Wings of Eagles

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Blu B 04/25/2024 There isn't really anything broken about this but there isn't much particulary good either as it's very mediocre all around. The first 45 minutes feel like they could have been cut down to 10-15 minutes as it feels very dragged out. Second, this has a tone problem where it is way too light hearted and almost a comedy feel throughout the entire runtime. The slapstick fights in the first half with the Army Navy guys is so out of place. So it makes it very hard to take anything serious whenever you break it up with a joke or smile it off like it was nothing. Also, it's just not that interesting visually to look at especially when he's paralyzed. We don't even see his face or really see much of a struggle. It also just doesn't do a good job tying the family drama with the war contributions he makes. This needed to take itself more seriously, have a better lead man who could evoke more emotion maybe like Brando, and do a better job weaving the family drama into this while also cutting afew scenes. There are some cool shots here and there, the stock WWII footage is cool, and it is interesting seeing Wayne recover in the few moments it takes itself serious. O'Hara is wasted in this also and really disappears in the second half. It's laughable how they gave her a sliver of silver hair to make her old. Besides that, unless your a big die hard John Wayne fan I can't recommend this to most people. He's just not the best in this role and has trouble conveying more emotional and dramatic moments. Now whether that's the problems with the script/tone not allowing it or him I can't tell. But regardless most should skip this. See more 03/19/2018 Fairly average approach to an unusual studio movie. This one is a biopic about a successful Hollywood screenwriter, known for his post WWII war films which often starred John Wayne. In this film the Duke portrays the man who helped him break out of the Western genre - this time as a hotshot pilot who finds new ways to remain useful even after being paralyzed/crippled. That's right... the Duke plays a man who's both physically & emotionally crippled! A great supporting cast as well, so watch for familiar faces. See more 06/05/2017 Wayne's over-the-top acting fits this film, about a true character See more 01/19/2016 thought this a very well done movie, inspirational and moving! Love the actors as well!! See more Grant S 12/25/2014 Historically inaccurate, cliched, and quite silly at times. The movie starts in an almost farcical way, showing the hero as a loveable larrikin and defier of authority. It gets worse from there (and I didn't think that was possible at the time), as the next few scenes mainly involve silly punch-ups. At this point the movie looked like it was meant to be a slapstick comedy, and a very bad one at that. From a point, however, it loses the silliness and becomes a drama. Some scenes are quite emotional and engaging but many feel trite and cliched. The WW2 stuff contains a host of historical inaccuracies. Things occur in the wrong chronological order and this part just seems very sloppily done. This is all despite the producers having some great WW2 footage at their disposal, and the help of the US Navy. I mainly watched this because it starred John Wayne. He does fine in the lead role, but is miscast. He is far too old for the character he is playing. Considering this movie was made long after WW2 had ended, so isn't a propaganda movie, and considering how little known Commander Wead is in terms of military history, I'm not really sure why this movie was made. See more 11/10/2014 For those critics who say John Wayne is not a good actor, that John Wayne always plays John Wayne, I challenge you to watch The Wings of Eagles. John Wayne gives a power house performance in a film that is unlike any other he made. See more Read all reviews

The Wings of Eagles

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