Any Good? - The Wings of Eagles (1957) Discussion

[–] Bob-45 19 years ago

It's not bad. My biggest complaint is the ending. It's a historical fact that Frank Wead lived until 1947. You'll see why this is significant when you see the movie. It shows regularly on Turner Classic Movies.

reply

[–] jmp418-1 18 years ago

It's good. John Wayne did well playing a disabled person.

reply

[–] spookyrat1 10 years ago

My biggest complaint is the ending. It's a historical fact that Frank Wead lived until 1947. You'll see why this is significant when you see the movie.

I've seen the movie and I don't get the significance.

You're correct about the date of his death.

Are you suggesting Ford should have covered his death? I wouldn't have thought that was necessary.

reply

[–] collin-reid 18 years ago

The imdb nails the right rating of 6.5 as I give it a 6. It is what it is, an entertaining movie Ford did to honor an old friend whom he admired. Not one of the essetials but if you like the Johns go ahead and watch it. Since I basically got it free the Warners' Johns box set, I ain't complaining but I would not buy it otherwise.

reply

[–] c-huddleston 18 years ago

Whilst by no means the best Ford/Wayne movie, I will go out on a limb here and point out a few things that make the movie more than simply watchable.

Ward Bond's performance as a movie director was a straight shot at John Ford. A fun performance!

John Wayne proved once again that he could put on a more sensitive performance than was generally accepted (or expected of him). The man could, surprisingly, act - when he had a good director and a good part to play.

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] flan99 17 years ago

I thought it was quite good.

Nice to see the Duke stretch a bit as an actor.

reply

[–] liscarkat-2 10 years ago

"The man could, surprisingly, act"

Surprisingly? Come on, he did a damned great job in film after film after film. He was one of the most naturalistic actors ever on the screen.

reply

[–] spookyrat1 10 years ago

It is what it is, an entertaining movie Ford did to honor an old friend whom he admired.

You very much feel that is the raison d'être for this homage. IMO it's hardly a credible biopic, though Wead clearly packed a lot of living into his 52 years.

reply

[–] ant_sushi 16 years ago

I'm halfway through it and so far, nope.

reply

[–] Mississippi20 16 years ago

The film is a tribute to John Ford's friend, Frank "Spig" Wead, so it was intended to be more of a labor of love than it was a commercial success. Not one of Ford's best, but nevertheless, I think it's a film that fans of Ford and Wayne can appreciate in particular. Ford's humor tactics, his love of the Navy, Ward Bond's portrayal of Ford....all aspects that fans of Ford's would appreciate.

Spig's perseverance, success, and most of all, dedication and love for the Navy is inspiring. And at the same time, Spig's faults are also examined through the lack of time he spends with his family, showcasing the faults within the masculine bravado.

reply

[–] homeimp 14 years ago

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the performances of either Dan Dailey or Maureen O'Hara in this film. At first I was going to follow the crowd and give the film a 7/10, but after a second look at the film I believe the stalwart performance of Dailey and the sensitive performance of O'Hara elevate the film to an 8/10 status. The scene at the hospital between John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is beautifully filmed and acted to perfection. The friendship and respect between Dailey and Wayne is never less than believable. This is a good movie.

reply

[–] masterthes 14 years ago

I wonder if Quentin Tarantino ever saw this movie with the whole "moving the big toe" sequence

reply

[–] whitelion43 13 years ago

Its remarkably good. Its one of The Duke's better performances. and it does have some great comedic moments off set by very dramatic ones as well.

Oh GOOD!,my dog found the chainsaw

reply

[–] alistla 13 years ago

Just caught it on TCM. Wow. It's very good. I gave it an 8/10 (and I'm a hard grader). Remarkable performances by all the major players, including John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Dan Dailey is a revelation.

As others have stated here, while it involves the military, this isn't a typical John Wayne movie. There's little action and fireworks. The fireworks occur in the character development. This is a movie ultimately about the many facets of male camaraderie.

Wings of Eagles is the true story of one of John Ford's friends, an envelope-pushing Navy pilot who has a horrible accident and rebuilds his life through the dedication of his friends and becomes a successful screenwriter, going on to write They Were Expendable, among other movies.

A great mix of comedic moments, a little action, and a lot of tearjerking. You will feel inspired and moved. Highly recommended.

reply

[–] vpilutis 13 years ago

Its a very fine film.
I had never heard of this feature before 1965 when I was going to enlist in the Air Force there was a problem with my blood Pressure during the med exam and so they had me (and others) go to the Naval Hosp. in Queens overnight to check us out.
They came out with a projector and so I'm thinking some kind of Navy training thing?
It was this film.

In closing I changed my mind about the AF (four years ouch) and got drafted into the army in 1966.
See some stars here
http://www.vbphoto.biz/

reply

[–] theshootist40 13 years ago

Pretty good performance by John Wayne as well.
The film feels episodic... but, then again, a lot of bio-pics do.

When the legend becomes a fact... print the legend.

reply

[–] Errington_92 12 years ago

Spig's faults are also examined through the lack of time he spends with his family, showcasing the faults within the masculine bravado.

It makes a difference to many other Ford/Wanye collaborations. At first I thought it was going to be the typical showing of arrogent and sturdy masculinity where brawls are a common feature, yet as others have said more focus is on character development rather than the theme of masculinity and how it plays its part within the worlds Ford portrays.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

reply

[–] lizcarlo87 10 years ago

I enjoy the film. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara did wonderful job. The part where she goes to hospital is such a great scene. She is such a great actress.

reply

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] HarlemEagle42 (16275) 2 years ago

It's kind of a weird mess. But not boring.

reply