William Wellman's passion project, sometimes called his last movie even though he made Darby's Rangers after (it was released first because this was held up so Warners could launch a record label for Tab Hunter).
Hunter is fine in the lead. I know Wellman wanted James Dean and Paul Newman. Hunter isn't the issue. The female lead doesn't help but she isn't the issue either.
The problem is the story. I was confused why Wellman struggled to get this made til I saw it... it's about a man who goes to fly in France in World War One... then punches out a French officer and deserts and hangs out with his hooker girlfriend most of the time planning his escape. This, in a war film. Why would anyone want to go see that?
It's not the ending. (Changed from the original where Hunter was support to die. Or the title. Or the stars. It was making a flying film about a flyer who spends most of the film trying not to fly.
That story is only fine if it's a subplot. Tell the story of a heroic pilot and Hunter is the best friend. Or three guys - make it a three guy movie like three girl movies.
There's only one big flying /fighting sequence at the end. It needed more flying. That final battle is the best thing about it but it's too short.
The support cast includes people like David Janssen and Clint Eastwood but so do a lot of old movies, some starring Francis.
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