MovieChat Forums > Flying Tigers (1942) Discussion > Yet another (dreaded) call for a REMAKE.

Yet another (dreaded) call for a REMAKE.

posted 17 years ago by kdmagnusson
12 replies | jump to latest

I'm not generally in favor of the idea of remaking "classic" movies, but this is one that really calls for it. Only it wouldn't really be a remake. Someone should do an epic treatment of the real Flying Tigers story (or at least an HBO type mini-series). I can understand why the 1942 movie was done as it was; the AVG was probably still in operation when it was begun, so they couldn't mention any of the members' real names for security reasons, and they didn't yet know a lot of the real story. But this movie is pretty much a John Wayne vehicle/ propaganda flick, with a story line more based on Only Angels Have Wings than it is on the real Flying Tigers. And the REAL Flying Tigers story would make one heckuva movie!

[–] tarmcgator 17 years ago

See my post (Aug. 26, 2007) under the thread "President Truman's Declaration of War???"

[–] kdmagnusson 17 years ago

Saw your post, tarmcgator, but decided to respond here as it's more in keeping with the subject.

I've seen "The Lady and the Tigers" for sale on the Internet, but haven't read it. I'll also have to look for the Daniel Ford novel. Using something like either of these for the basis of a movie could have the benefit of focusing the story.

Hadn't thought about casting before, but how about Russell Crowe for Boyington (he'd hardly have to act!); either Sean Penn or Chris Cooper for Chennault; and for Olga Greenlaw, maybe Marcia Cross (the red-headed Desperate Housewife) or Cate Blanchett. If the movie were made in the '60's, Julie Newmar would have looked the part quite well. From the photo I've seen of Olga, she appeared as tall as the men.

It shouldn't be too hard to do the planes. Get whatever P-40B/C's you could for the closeups, alter some later-model P-40's (these are relatively common; just change the nose intakes and tail profile and they should look pretty close) for other shots. Judicious use of models and CGI could fill out the numbers.

As long as the movie came out more like "Tora, Tora, Tora" than "Pearl Harbor", I'd be pretty happy.

[–] online-100 17 years ago

I've been a student of the AVG for twenty years, and it's been a rare year when there wasn't a Flying Tigers movie / docco / stage show in the works. None of them has ever worked out.

I love the idea of a film based on Olga Greenlaw, and I once had "The Lady and the Tigers" optioned for a feature. (I hold the copyright along with her sister, a lovely lady.) And I did write the novel "Remains" about the AVG. Information on these books is available at www.DanFordBooks.com.

The Republic feature "Flying Tigers" is probably the most inaccurate view of the AVG ever put before the public. Where to begin? Well, for openers, the movie ends with John Wayne and his lads listening to the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In fact, the AVG's first combat was 12 days AFTER December 7.

(That said, the movie did get the Japanese fighters right. "Nak-a-JEEM-ah," said the Duke. Those were real Nakajima Ki-27 fighters taken from a Japanese feature film about the earlier combat in China.)

Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

[–] rwsmith29456 16 years ago

I agree that a NEW movie could be made of the Flying Tigers

[–] Captain_Augustus_McCrae 15 years ago

+1
I love the Duke, but the story of the AVG cries out for a serious treatment, something akin to "Band of Brothers".

[–] natezoid-977-898008 13 years ago

One IS being made by John Woo. Might have Liam Neelson.

[–] Homer900 13 years ago

Please say it ain't so. He butchered any history of the code talkers in the movie of the same and the battle sequences in that were laughable. I could see the AVG's CGI'd and in star wars like dogfights with the Japanese with a romantic love interest thrown in for good measure. Where's Hanks and Spielberg when you need 'em?

[–] sanookdee 13 years ago

accurate movies about the war against the Japanese would not be successful in today's PC climate. The uncountable atrocities done by the Imperial Japanese Army would have to be glossed over. Movies can show Germany atrocities but, not Japanese ones. The Japanese atrocities have never acknowledged by the Japanese government where as the ones done by the Nazis were fully apologized for and are taught in German schools. The only recent movies that deals with it is "The Great Raid" which takes place in the Philippines. It was a box office failure.

There was incredible hatred toward the Japanese in the war. racist terms were used by Americans constantly. Making an accurate movies about the Flying Tigers would have to include that. If it was included, in today's PC climate, that would make the Flying Tigers out to be the bad guys. Thought Americans being the bad guys that would please the PC crowd, it would infuriate many Americans.

[–] natezoid-977-898008 12 years ago

Though John Woo butchered Wind Talkers, he will do a better job with Flying Tigers. Since they are fighting along side the Chinese, there is no doubt that Chinese producers are egging him to make them have some super heroic Chinese friends. They would be the good guys for sure. And since its also directed at the Chinese market, it would have lots of terribly terrible Japanese baddies. If you watch the TV shows about WW2 in China, they don't hold back showing the atrocities they committed. After all, over half of them were on Chinese soil.

[–] chrissso 8 years ago

You seem obsessed about "today's PC climate." I think we can make great films without using racist terms non stop. Ya it is a little watered down from reality but is that a bad thing?

[–] scotts863 9 years ago

No thank you.

No other John Wayne films should EVER be remade.

Ever.

[–] chrissso 8 years ago

He had many great roles ... but I would like to Erase JW from many films ... he had a tendency to get pretty annoying. The Longest Day is my best example ... all that non stop yelling!!!