- Actors: John Garfield, John Ridgely, Gig Young, Arthur Kennedy, Charles Drake
- Directors: Howard Hawks
- Writers: Arthur T. Horman, Dudley Nichols, Leah Baird, William Faulkner
- Producers: Hal B. Wallis, Jack L. Warner
- Format: NTSC, Import
- Number of tapes: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: MGM (Warner)
- VHS Release Date: Sep 1 1998
- Run Time: 124 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- ASIN: 6302224446
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
There was no better director than Howard Hawks at depicting group action. Because of his sense of character and pacing, Air Force transcends its propaganda purpose. It's well crafted all the way around, from the acting to the writing to the aerial fighting to James Wong Howe's painstakingly striking cinematography. A B-17 takes off from San Francisco in December of 1941 headed for Hawaii only to witness the Pearl Harbor attack from above, so it lands and takes off to thwart an oncoming attack. Reassigned to Manila, the crew (which includes the always cynical John Garfield, Gig Young, Arthur Kennedy, George Tobias, and Harry Carey) is thrust into the thick of battle. Incidentally, Hawks enlisted William Faulkner to rewrite a death scene that resulted in a sublime sense of honor. He also added some epigrammatic polish to some dialogue, such as Tobias's dismissal of California: "The sun shines and nothing ever happens, and before you know it you're 60 years old." --Bill Desowitz
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Top War Film,
This review is from: Air Force (VHS Tape)
The legendary Howard Hawks directed this WWII classic about the Mary Ann, a B-17 bomber lead by Captain John Ridgely and featuring crew members Gig Young, Harey Carey, Arthur Kennedy, Charles Drake, George Tobias, Ray Montgomery, and John Garfield. On a routine mission to Hawaii, the crew arrives just hours after the Pearl Harbor attack and find themselves thrust into war. Other stops include Wake Island and the Philippines. Of course, one of the purposes of this film was to rally the American spirit, and it features some of the anti-Japanese dialogue you'd have to expect. But the film succeeds beyond the propaganda value. The action sequences are well filmed and exciting, with terrific aerial action and some good ground sequences, too. The camraderie amongst the crew is credible. Each member has his own small "back story" as you would expect, but these fine character actors make it all very believable (Harry Carey is a particular standout). This film is a true WWII classic.
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Air Force (1943) ... John Garfield ... Howard Hawks (Director) (2007)",
By
This review is from: Air Force (DVD)
Warner Bros. Pictures presents "AIR FORCE" (1943) (124 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- Starring John Garfield, Gig Young, Arthur Kennedy, George Tobias & John RidgelyDirected by Howard Hawks The Mary Ann, a B-17 Flying Fortress, takes off from California for Hawaii on a routine training flight on December 6, 1941. The Mary Ann and the rest of the squadron fly right into the middle of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor unarmed and out of gas, and nearly crack up landing on an emergency field; no sooner do they make repairs than the crew comes under attack, and the plane takes off and makes for Hickam Field, which they find a flaming shambles. They fly on to the Philippines, stopping at Wake Island just long enough to meet a few members of the doomed Marine garrison, taking their company mascot, a dog, with them. At Clark Field, the Mary Ann and her crew finally go into action against the enemy, flying in alone against a Japanese invasion force in the Battle of the Coral Sea. A truly fabulous outstanding WWII adventure film. Nothing arty or pretentious, simply a nicely executed work. One of the best films to be made during the war. Academy Award winner for Best Film Editing; also Oscar Nominations for Cinematography, Special Effects & Screenplay - check out that final scene - when the B-17 ditches in the surf! BIOS: 1. Howard Hawks [Director] Date of Birth: 30 May 1896 - Goshen, Indiana Date of Death: 26 December 1977 - Palm Springs, California 2. John Garfield [aka: Jacob Julius Garfinkle] Date of Birth: 4 March 1913 - New York City, New York Date of Death: 21 May 1952 - New York City, New York Mr. Jim's Ratings: Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars Performance: 5 Stars Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing] Total Time: 124 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (06/05/2007)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars (39 customer reviews) 47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Top War Film,
By James L. - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Air Force (VHS Tape)
The legendary Howard Hawks directed this WWII classic about the Mary Ann, a B-17 bomber lead by Captain John Ridgely and featuring crew members Gig Young, Harey Carey, Arthur Kennedy, Charles Drake, George Tobias, Ray Montgomery, and John Garfield. On a routine mission to Hawaii, the crew arrives just hours after the Pearl Harbor attack and find themselves thrust into war. Other stops include Wake Island and the Philippines. Of course, one of the purposes of this film was to rally the American spirit, and it features some of the anti-Japanese dialogue you'd have to expect. But the film succeeds beyond the propaganda value. The action sequences are well filmed and exciting, with terrific aerial action and some good ground sequences, too. The camraderie amongst the crew is credible. Each member has his own small "back story" as you would expect, but these fine character actors make it all very believable (Harry Carey is a particular standout). This film is a true WWII classic.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best stories about action in World War Two,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Air Force (VHS Tape)
While some paid reviewers would classify this film as archetypal and "hard to stomach" because of the political correctness of today, it is an excellent film about the early days of World War II and the crew of the B-17 bomber, "Mary Ann." This film is on par with what some consider the best air war film ever made, "Twelve O'clock High."
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
WW2 Classic!,
By Seen Them All "Ace Movie Critic !!" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Air Force (DVD)
On their way to Pearl Harbor, a flight of B-17 bombers arrive at the height of the Japanese attack at the start of WW2. After landing they are told to refuel and fly on to the Philippines where they are to fight the Japanese. Many problems ensue but the crew pulls together and takes the fight to the Japanese. This is truly one of the best WW2 movies with lots of action and a relatively unknown cast...stars Harry Carey, Sr, a young John Garfield, and the B-17 "Mary-Ann". The interplay between crew members and the Marines in the Philippines is worth the price of admission alone. A long lost classic finally being released....DO Not miss this one..!!!
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