dglink William Wellman's soaring aerial drama, "Wings," won the first Academy Award for Best Picture in 1927, and, three decades later, the director returned to World War I flying aces in his 1958 picture, "Lafayette Escadrille." Although Wellman's second depiction of early pilots and dogfights pales in comparison to his first effort, the film nevertheless has its moments. The aerial scenes, well photographed by William H. Clothier in black and white, are reminiscent of the earlier film. Evidently shot in the air, the fragile aircraft sweep across the French countryside, well, California actually, and we get point-of-view shots of pilots in their cockpits, similar to those in "Wings."Although Tab Hunter was never known as a great actor, he plays young American troublemaker turned expatriate pilot, Thad Walker, quite well. The handsome blonde is hunky eye candy and quickly falls under the spell of equally blonde and winsome Etchika Choreau. Unfortunately, the film details the romance, trials, and tribulations of the dewy-eyed pair, which border on the clichéd, and neglects the camaraderie of Walker's fellow pilots and their daring exploits in the air. Among Walker's neglected comrades are a pre-"Fugitive" David Janssen, a pre-"Billy Jack" Tom Laughlin, and Brett Halsey. Oh, and there is another young actor among the pilots, a tall good looking guy, Clint Eastwood, whose subsequent career would overshadow those of both the film's star and its Oscar-winning director. Albert Sidney Fleischman's screenplay has problems with credibility and evasiveness. Despite his wholesome demeanor, Walker is supposed to be troublesome, having suffered at the hands of his father. His conflicted behavior results in some melodramatics involving a French officer, the stockade, and desertion, none of which is convincing. Seeking a job because his "wife," who may or may not be a lady of the evening, is supporting him,he goes to what viewers may perceive as a madame to work at what the audience may construe as a pimp. Not only are the proceedings purposely vague in a 1950's Production Code way, they are at odds with the character as we perceive him and certainly at odds with the image Tab Hunter enjoyed. In "Wings," Wellman focused on the aerial spectacle and relegated the personal stories to supporting status. With "Lafayette Escadrille," he goes in the other direction. If the drama had been as compelling as the dogfights and biplanes, the movie would have been successful. Unfortunately, the travails of two beautiful people do not sustain interest, despite Tab's often well-exposed torso. Despite the flaws, "Lafayette Escadrille" is not a disaster and worth a look; the aerial photography is good, the vintage planes are wonderful, Tab's muscles are well defined, and young Clint is obviously on his way to a brilliant career.

jaygo214 This is my first review so I am going to caution against seeing a SPOILER since I am not real sure what might or might not be one. I will try to avoid intentional spoilers though. This is more of a history lesson than a movie review but, you have to understand the former to appreciate the latter. My point is that the movie is titled "Lafayette Escadrille." If you don't know what that is and what it means likely, you still won't after watching this film, and that's a shame because there is a real, very dramatic story to tell here. Sadly, this film fails miserably in doing so. Worse, it gives a pretty miserable impression of that organization and its members by focusing on a horrible example of (a fictional) one. The "Lafayette Escadrille"(French for "squadron") was a squadron of American volunteer fliers for France in WWI before America entered that conflict. Not to be confused with the "Lafayette Flying Corps" which referred to all Americans flying in different French squadrons, the L. Escarille only had 38 American pilots during it's French service(The "Valiant 38"). It was an elite unit made up of remarkable young men. They risked losing their US Citizenship, flew in flimsy, highly flammable aircraft with NO parachutes. Their planes were unheated and open to 100+ mph wind streams in freezing temperatures, their engines ejected a constant stream of castor oil that they breathed and which coated their faces and planes in a highly flammable glaze, there was no oxygen for higher altitude flying. Imagine spending up to 2 hours in such conditions and then fighting for your life with very skilled enemies in aircraft as good or better than your own. When just flying took an act of courage, fighting in these machines took a special kind of courage above and beyond the norm. Those are the men represented by the title of this film. But, the main character hardly appears before it's clear he suffers from cowardice. He soon goes down and becomes a deserter and takes up residence with a French woman. Their relationship and this man as a coward hiding out make up the bulk of the film. Finally, shame overcomes him and he makes his return. I won't reveal the details of that event but suffice it to say, that wraps up the film.So in summary, this film with the title of heroes is really about a coward, a deserter and his romance with a French girl. Hardly a fitting testament to the "Valiant 38." It may be an "entertaining film" with creditable performances by its cast members but, I am so put off by it I cannot recommend it. I watched it once decades ago and I have not nor will I ever watch it again.

Boyo-2 **Spoilers Included** I saw a documentary on William Wellman, one of the best directors Hollywood ever had. I am a big fan of several of his older movies, most notably "The Ox-Bow Incident." He discussed this movie, said he liked it but the studio made him change the ending. It was a dear subject to his heart since it was autobiographical.Tab Hunter plays Thad, who was abused at home and causes an accident with a car so goes to France to help the French fight the Germans. You get some comedic touches at this point because none of the Americans understand a word their drill instructor is saying. They include David Janssen and a very young Clint Eastwood, so young he might have had his high school diploma in his back pocket.Thad strikes the drill instructor and is put in jail. His buddies get him out of it but he has nowhere to go so ends up with the girl he met when he arrived. Their language barrier is touching as they both try to communicate. But he can't leave the house, can't be seen outside since he escaped the military jail. They eventually get married in her apartment, and at the end get married for real.I never saw Tab Hunter in a movie before. I assumed, incorrectly, that he was a no-talent pretty boy but that was not the case. He gives a very thoughtful and real performance. It made me want to see more of his movies.I'm glad I saw this, even if it didn't turn out exactly as Wellman had wanted. 8/10.

Sleepy-17 There isn't much here more than a great director's swan song. Tab Hunter's acting is pretty good (!?) but not enough to lift the drab GI-in-love-with-a-French-woman theme. Most of the flying scenes don't match the ones from the director's 30s films. If you're interested in the director's career, don't skip this, you'll enjoy the themes and the depiction of air combat. Also Leonard Rosenman's score is a stand-out. But if you're not a Wellman fan you won't remember this a month after you've seen it. Wellman is one of the great American directors; see everything else and watch for the evidence of his skills that are sadly not to be found here.