Jim Gordon commands a unit of the famed Flying Tigers, the American Volunteer Group which fought the Japanese in China before America's entry into World War II. Gordon must send his outnumbered band of fighter pilots out against overwhelming odds while juggling the disparate personalities and problems of his fellow flyers.
Practical Effects
Real P-40 Warhawks, no CGI — every explosion is someone's actual Tuesday.
Acting
John Carroll's smarmy rival pilot steals scenes from the Duke himself.
Production
Shot in 1942 with actual AVG veterans consulting — history cosplay before it was cool.
Director
David Miller
John Wayne
Jim Gordon
John Carroll
Woody Jason
Anna Lee
Brooke Elliott
Paul Kelly
Hap Smith
Gordon Jones
Alabama Smith
Mae Clarke
Verna Bales
Addison Richards
R.T. Lindsay
Edmund MacDonald
Blackie Bales
Bill Shirley
Dale
Tom Neal
Reardon
Malcolm 'Bud' McTaggart
McCurdy
David Bruce
Lt. Barton
Chester Gan
Mike
Jimmie Dodd
McIntosh
Gregg Barton
Tex Norton
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Flying Tigers were disbanded before this film even premiered; most pilots had already joined the US Army Air Forces.
Released six months after Pearl Harbor, this was peak recruitment-cinema — audiences literally watched it while signing up at theatres.
US
