Poster
Watch

Wings

Wings

  • Status: Released
  • 12-08-1927
  • Runtime: 144 min
  • Score: 7.2
  • Vote count: 308

Two young men, one rich, one middle class, both in love with the same woman, become US Air Corps fighter pilots and, eventually, heroic flying aces during World War I. Devoted best friends, their mutual love of the girl eventually threatens their bond. Meanwhile, a hometown girl who's the lovestruck lifelong next door neighbor of one of them pines away.

Clara Bow

Mary Preston

Charles 'Buddy' Rogers

Jack Powell

Richard Arlen

David Armstrong

Jobyna Ralston

Sylvia Lewis

El Brendel

Herman Schwimpf

Richard Tucker

Air Commander

Gary Cooper

Cadet White

Gunboat Smith

The Sergeant

Henry B. Walthall

Mr. Armstrong

Roscoe Karns

Lieutenant Cameron

Julia Swayne Gordon

Mrs. Armstrong

Arlette Marchal

Celeste

Nigel De Brulier

Peasant (uncredited)

Hedda Hopper

Mrs. Powell (uncredited)

George Irving

Mr. Powell (uncredited)

William A. Wellman

Doughboy (uncredited)

Charles Barton

Soldier Flirting with Mary (uncredited)

Thomas Carr

Aviator (uncredited)

Thomas Carrigan

(uncredited)

Margery Chapin

Peasant Woman (uncredited)

Andy Clark

(uncredited)

Douglas Haig

(uncredited)

William Hickey

Charlton Blanchard (uncredited)

Jane Laurell

(uncredited)

Robert Livingston

Recruit in Examination Office (uncredited)

James Pierce

Army MP (uncredited)

Evelyn Selbie

Dressing Room Attendant (uncredited)

Frank Tomick

(uncredited)

Carl von Haartman

German Officer (uncredited)

Gloria Wellman

Peasant Child (uncredited)

Percy Williams

Armstrong Butler (uncredited)

Zalla Zarana

(uncredited)

Rod Rogers

Aviator

CinemaSerf

OK, so the initial story is all a bit of well trammelled soap. "Jack" (Buddy Rogers) and "David" (Richard Arlen) come from different sides of the streets - but they both fall in love with "Sylvia" (Jobyna Ralston). She probably prefers the latter, wealthier man, but plays both along whilst the former's neighbour "Mary" is deeply enamoured with him even if her affections go unreturned. Things change tack rather, though, when the US Army Air Service needs their flying skills during the Great war in France so off they go to face the legendary fighter aces of the Bosch. There's no love lost between those two romantic rivals but gradually the constant dangers and streams of bullets whizzing by their heads each day, wear down this antipathy and soon the two are firm friends. Meantime, "Mary" has decided that she has to do her bit for the cause (and "Jack") too - so she joins up too as a driver, but will her beloved even notice? The acting is all fine, Bow flutters her eyes and smiles whilst the gents exude a camaraderie that's suitably uplifting. It's really the photography that sets this apart. The aerial combat scenes - the dogfights - are superbly presented with a surprisingly effective degree of authenticity. Not just with the visuals, but William Wellman makes sure the story delivers a realism - and some humour - to it too. It's war and tragedy happens - sometimes very close to home for these two men. An early appearance from a rather gangly Gary Cooper might catch your eye, but not so much as the imagery which is captivating at times. You can just imagine audiences back in 1927 believing that this is what wartime France was like.