A superior war film that has virtually no footage of actual battle. The presence of the war is continually felt, however, through the film's atmosphere and in the subtle and effective performances. The picture concentrates on the effects of war upon romances. Mills is the young pilot
unwilling to make a commitment to the girl he has fallen in love with, thinking it isn't right for a soldier to marry in the midst of a war. Even when an American soldier tries to make off with Asherson, Mills refuses to go where his heart leads until John, the widow of fellow flyer Redgrave,
convinces him that marriage is the right thing to do. This is just one of several sagas that are effectively interwoven to create a well-rounded picture of airmen on the ground. A prominent theme is the introduction of American forces onto the British base. The film deals with the uneasiness this
caused before camaraderie and friendship developed.
A tremendously successful film at the time of its release, JOHNNY IN THE CLOUDS captured a certain patriotic spirit that had been lurking in British hearts. Director Asquith had the perceptiveness to recognize the flow of feeling in Britain, and to bring it to the forefront without becoming bogged
down in sentimentalism. In performances, techniques, scripting, and all other facets, a very fine achievement. leave a comment