IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.8K
YOUR RATING
The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 3 nominations total
Edward Brophy
- Marine Sgt. J.J. Callahan
- (as Edward S. Brophy)
- Director
- Writers
- Dudley Nichols
- William Faulkner(uncredited)
- Leah Baird(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBecause of the constant noise in the planes, air crews wore "throat mics." These had two pickups that sat against the larynx (vocal cords) and picked the sound up directly from them. You will notice that whenever a crew member speaks he puts his hand up against the mic and presses it against his throat. This helped ensure good sound pickup.
- GoofsDespite reports by Susan McMartin and other characters attributing the loss of planes at Hickham Field and attacks on civilians to Japanese-American saboteurs in bomb-ladened vegetable trucks, there were in fact no actual acts of sabotage. The reports made in the film were propaganda reflecting the hysteria of time.
- Quotes
Sgt. Joe Winocki: [overhearing the Pearl Harbor attack on the radio] Hey, Peterson, who you got tuned in, Orson Welles?
- Crazy creditsOpening credits prologue: FOREWORD "It is for us the living .... to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced ..... It is ......for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ..... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Abraham Lincoln
- ConnectionsEdited into War and Remembrance: Part IV (1988)
- SoundtracksThe Army Air Corps Song
(1939) (uncredited)
("Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder")
Written by Robert Crawford
Played during the opening credits and often throughout the film
Featured review
Standard WWII Morale Booster
Howard Hawk's "Air Force" is another in a long list of patriotic films about America's fighting men during World War II that were made to raise the spirits of audiences back home. Stereotypes abound, clichés come hard and fast, and the hokum flies faster than the planes as a flying fortress on a routine reconnaissance flight from California in early December 1941 is enmeshed in the Japanese attacks on U.S. Pacific bases. However, despite the requisite sentiment that includes cloying death bed scenes, teary-eyed mothers, and even a stowaway dog, "Air Force" stays on course under Hawk's steady direction and is fairly entertaining fare. The strong cast, which includes John Garfield, Gig Young, and Arthur Kennedy, is excellent and delivers the uninspired dialog with credibility. Although the considerable talents of these actors are not taxed, Garfield plays to type as the cynic who rises to handle the unfolding events, and a mustached Young provides solid support as the co-pilot. In addition to the cast, James Wong Howe's dramatic black and white cinematography is another major asset, and viewers have much time to admire his work with light and shadow during the talky episodes that take place within the claustrophobic plane. While there are too many stretches of dialog during the early part of the movie, a climactic air/sea battle brings the film to an exciting conclusion. A fine cast, outstanding photography, and a few good action sequences outweigh the overused plot devices and deliver an entertaining film that will quickly become blurred in memory with dozens of other similar war films made during the mid-1940's.
helpful•309
- dglink
- Jan 11, 2005
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Archipiélago en llamas
- Filming locations
- Santa Barbara, California, USA(Miniature sea battles were staged in Santa Barbara Harbor)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,646,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 4 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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