MovieChat Forums > Hell's Angels (1930) Discussion > A flawed gem?

A flawed gem?

posted 18 years ago by repete66211
8 replies | jump to latest

I had heard much about this film. The Aviator touched on it as well. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't a bad movie overall. Jean Harlow was very sexy in her revealing evening dress and morally casual attitude. The aerial sequences were pretty spectacular as well. Other than those two points this film doesn't have much going for it.

***SPOILERS***

--The Zeppelin sequence. The German's on a Zeppelin raid over London must evade pursuing British planes. The airship can't climb fast enough so a junior officer suggests that he and all of his men jump to their deaths in order to lighten the load. Eventually the officer cuts the cable holding Karl, friend of the main characters', sending him to his death. All of this takes at least five minutes to transpire, implying that the pursuit planes are traveling about 3 mph. This was a hydrogen-filled ship that couldn't maneuver well at all. Nonetheless, the British planes suffer casualties from the gunners on the ship. One pilot eventually aims his plane directly at the German ship, bring it down in a gesture of great sacrifice. This scene is just plain B-A-D.

--The dogfight sequence. Let me get this straight, the two guys are in a slow-moving bomber and decide to go through with the bombing mission when there are 11-14 enemy planes in plain sight? Why not circle, wait for them to pass and then go through with it? God forbid you use a little intelligence here.

--Captured by the enemy sequence. The German's give the men a choice between treason and the firing squad. Monte is going to buckle so Roy hatches a plot, eventually shooting his treacherous brother and going before the firing squad to meet his own demise. First of all, Command wouldn't educate lowly pilots who might get captured about troop movements. Secondly, even if they did and the information was accurate then Roy could tell all he wanted. The attack was to commence shortly after their capture so all the intelligence in the world wouldn't do the Germans any good in turning it back. Solution: lie to the Germans or delay the beans-spilling until they can't effectively repel the attack.

These are just a few bones I have to pick with Hughes insulting my intelligence. I could go on in length about more minor points, but that might give the impression that I didn't enjoy the movie. I actually did, but the faults I've mentioned above show what an amateur film maker and story teller Hughes was. This film was all T&A and action. In that respect, was it that Hughes was the Bruckheimer of his time--all style, very little substance and heavy-handed morality?

[–] thepartyoftea 18 years ago

it's a movie, try to enjoy it... shesh...

[–] repete66211 18 years ago

If you had read what I posted you would have seen that I did enjoy it. Could you be implying that I'm over-analyzing this film? I don't think I am, but I do think that I'm airing critical opinions. It's no coincidence that that is the express purpose of this message board.

[–] piercearrow 18 years ago

But--isn't it fun to see what people in 1930 enjoyed for entertainment. Times were definately different. Perhaps(just perhaps)we could learn from this?
Pierce-arrow

[–] repete66211 18 years ago

I think it is great to see what kind of films were made way back when. I have a keen interest in old films (including "silents"). However, having seen more than a couple of old films I have to say that although there are really good parts to this film it is in my opinion that this isn't one of the better ones.

[–] piercearrow 18 years ago

Agreed. My favorite WW1 aviation movie is still The Dawn Patrol(1930 version which has been retitled..."The Flight Commander)even though the flying scenes in Hells Angels are better(no rear view screens, etc.)I still like the story in Dawn Patrol better.(also--Dawn Patrol has more action and no Jean Harlow). Of course--the best WW1 film of all--just my opinion--is the 1930 version of All Quiet On The Western Front. 1930 seems to have been a good year for movies. I just recently ordered "In Old Arizona" on DVD. It was the first outdoor movie filmed in sound...late in 1928. It's going to be real dated I'm sure---but, the first sound western--I've just got to see it.
Pierce-Arrow

[–] geordiebianconeri 15 years ago

I'm not qualified to comment about 3mph fighter planes, but the Zepp scene was G-O-O-D

As for the dogfight scene, it's made clear that the brothers didn't see the squadron above them until after they'd finished the bombing ie "Roy, look up there!"

And amateur film-makers don't make some of the most highly-regarded flying sequences in cinema history

"Wait till they get a load of me!"

[–] jm31315 10 years ago

After hearing a great deal about the film "Hell's Angels" I finally caught up with it courtesy of Turner Classic Movies. I found it very intense on the small screen; it must have been very intense in a motion picture theatre. I think the film's point of view was that of action and to a certain degree violence (appropriate for the subject matter - WW I) which is not precisely my cup of tea but it does succeed. Interesting to see the color and tinted sequences restored to the film.

[–] MoviemanCin 8 years ago

The key word here is "flawed", which it is.

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar and doesn't.