This stirring but sometimes sanctimonious war drama stars Morgan as a WW II flying ace who battles the Japanese over China while piloting for Gen. Claire Chennault's "Flying Tigers." It's really a tale of one boy's love of flight from the time when he first jumps off the barn roof with
an umbrella. In various sequences Morgan is depicted practicing with model planes, going through West Point, flying the mail through stormy weather, instructing other pilots, and finally accepting a hazardous mission to China just after Pearl Harbor is bombed. He winds up flying with Chennault's
all-volunteer group and learns that no pilot flies alone, that there is also a spiritual hand on the stick. Morgan is particularly upset after he strafes a Japanese military column, killing scores. He seeks solace from missionary Hale, who gives him a prayer for pilots. Morgan's faith is tested
when he is shot down and has to survive in enemy territory, finally being rescued in a wounded state and returned to Allied lines by the Chinese.
The florid performances and occasionally mawkish attempts at injecting a religious philosophy are overcome by a solid story and startling camerawork by Hickox. Aerial photography is superlative and Florey's overall direction is excellent. Of value is the straightforward manner in which the life of
the 34-year-old Macon, Georgia, ace is told. Scott was involved in the bombing of Hong Kong and was shot down, severely wounded, but evaded capture and returned to train myriad pilots on survival methods and aviation techniques. Massey is authoritative as Chennault, and solid performances are put
forth by Clark, Ridgeley, Hale, Stevens, Douglas, Ridges, and those two good old Japanese enemies, Loo (a Hawaiian by birth) and Ahn (Chinese). leave a comment