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Air Force

Play trailer Poster for Air Force 1943 2h 4m War Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
On December 6, 1941, the crew of the Mary-Ann (including Arthur Kennedy, George Tobias, John Garfield) heads from California to Hawaii in a routine training flight. On the fateful trip, they witness the attack on Pearl Harbor and are unable to help in their unarmed B-17 bomber. With the Japanese strike spurring the United States into World War II, the crew is reassigned to aid in the defense of the Philippines and endures constant attacks from enemy combatants.
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Air Force

Critics Reviews

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Bosley Crowther New York Times Mar 25, 2006
4/5
Although it draws about the longest and most pliant bow that has ever been drawn in the line of fanciful war films and goes completely overboard in the last reel, it is still a continuously fascinating, frequently thrilling and occasionally exalting show. Go to Full Review
Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Jan 1, 2000
Howard Hawks finds a perfect vehicle for his study of the male group. William Faulkner polished the dialogue, but as a silent it would still be tremendously exciting and evocative. Go to Full Review
James Agee The Nation Feb 10, 2021
I cannot be sure how I feel about Air Force. It is loud, loose, sincere, violently masculine, and at times quite exciting. Go to Full Review
Gilbert Seldes Esquire Magazine Sep 20, 2019
There isn't a literary line in Air Force; and there isn't a phony character. Go to Full Review
Nathanael Hood The Retro Set Dec 29, 2018
6/10
Air Force can't escape the shadow of its own jingoism. Its point wasn't just to inspire an American public but to make monsters of its enemies. It did so with chilling efficiency. Go to Full Review
Christopher Lloyd Sarasota Herald-Tribune Jan 16, 2012
3/5
A cheery bit of war propaganda that feels cringeworthy today, in which American soldiers seem extraordinarily giddy about the prospect of near-certain death, coupled with some terrible special-effects miniatures. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jan 26, 2019 The best thrilling and inspiring movie ever made! See more
Luke S Feb 14, 2018 As a child, TV I watched "Air Force" and other war films some consider WW II "propaganda" on TV. As a young man, after a night of carousing, I'd come stumbling home and, if a channel were showing these types of films, I'd watch them on the Late, Late Show. Now, I watch these films for the excellent acting, action, and for their historical content significance as "propaganda" films during the dark part of WWII for the US and its allies. When it seemed as if Japan and Germany were conquering the world. And I could also enjoy the action and danger vicariously. Don't kid yourself that Hollywood no longer makes "propaganda" films. They are making them now more than ever. The films are just a different type of "propaganda". See more
Rey P Feb 10, 2018 A wartime Air Force story that stands out among others. See more
George W Feb 8, 2018 thank Turner Classics....thanks Amazon Fire Stick! Thanks Mom! thanks Howard Hawks....not so thanks to wars... thanks escapism and curiosity ...from the safety of... Turner See more
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Air Force

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Cast & Crew

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Howard Hawks

Director

John Ridgely

Pilot

Gig Young

Co-Pilot

Arthur Kennedy

Bombardier

John Garfield

Aerial Gunner

Charles Drake

Navigator

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Air Force

Air Force (1943) Air Force (1943) Air Force (1943) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis On December 6, 1941, the crew of the Mary-Ann (including Arthur Kennedy, George Tobias, John Garfield) heads from California to Hawaii in a routine training flight. On the fateful trip, they witness the attack on Pearl Harbor and are unable to help in their unarmed B-17 bomber. With the Japanese strike spurring the United States into World War II, the crew is reassigned to aid in the defense of the Philippines and endures constant attacks from enemy combatants.
Director
Howard Hawks
Producer
Hal B. Wallis
Screenwriter
Dudley Nichols
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 20, 1943, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 28, 2008
Runtime
2h 4m
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