Flying Leathernecks (1951)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(3,908 ratings)

The Technicolor adventure epic Flying Leathernecks offers two things that film cultists can never get enough of: star John Wayne and director Nicholas Ray. Filmed at the behest of RKO chieftain Howard R. Hughes, Leathernecks is a paean to the Marine Flying Corps of World War II. Wayne plays Major… More The Technicolor adventure epic Flying Leathernecks offers two things that film cultists can never get enough of: star John Wayne and director Nicholas Ray. Filmed at the behest of RKO chieftain Howard R. Hughes, Leathernecks is a paean to the Marine Flying Corps of World War II. Wayne plays Major Dan Kirby, a squadron commander, whose no-nonsense attitude is sharply at odds with the easygoing approach of executive officer Captain Carl Griffin (Robert Ryan). Griffin eventually learns the value of discipline at all costs, while Kirby becomes more humanized as he gets to know his pilots. Jay C. Flippen steals the show as a supply sergeant who "borrows" from other companies to keep his men happy. Though not entirely cliché-free, Flying Leathernecks is one of the more solid war films of the 1950s, and one that has remained readily available in theaters, on TV and in video stores to the present day. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Nicholas Ray
Written By: James Edward Grant, Kenneth Gamet
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 28, 1951 Wide
On DVD: May 4, 2004
Studio: VidAmerica

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Marquee pull of John Wayne and Robert Ryan in the action market has been teamed with a story of Marine fighter pilots.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though John Wayne plays a similar role to that of his other WWII movies (Sands of Iwo Jima), the tough but sensitive commander, this picture is better than the rest due to smooth and crispy direction by Nicholas Ray.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Overlong but action-filled.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
This is arguably Ray's least distinguished film, a relatively conventional, anonymous WWII drama made for RKO mogul Howard Hughes.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This is the most ordinary film Nicholas Ray ever made.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Pure WWII jingo and John Wayne. But stylish and heroic nonetheless.
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
The Flying Leathernecks packs a surprising amount of intelligent insight in with its nationalistic rally cry.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

I'm not a huge Robert Ryan fan and this isn't my favorite of Wayne or Ray's either. Overall it's a pretty typical film of the Gung Ho military genre. The action scenes incorporate actual war footage which is pretty cool and Ray's editing is marvelous.

Cast

            John Wayne as Maj. Dan Kirby

            Robert Ryan as Capt. Carl Griffin

            Don Taylor as Cowboy Blithe

            Janis Carter as Joan Kirby

            Jay C. Flippen as Master Sgt. Clancy

            William Harrigan as Lt. Cmdr. Joe Curan

            James Bell as Colonel

            Maurice Jara as Shorty Vegay

            Adam Williams as Lieutenant Malotke

            James Dobson as Pudge McCabe

            Carleton Young as Capt. McAllister

            Brett King as Lieutenant Ernie Stark

            Gordon Geberl as Tommy Kirby

            Michael St. Angel as Lt. Jorgensen

            Gail Davis as Virginia Blithe

            Sam Edwards as Junior

            James Flavin as "Mick" Shore Patrol Commander

            Douglas Henderson
            
            Barry Kelley as General

            Harry Lauter as Freddie

            Britt Norton as Lt. Tanner

            Lynn Stalmaster as Lt. Castle

            Milburn Stone as Ground control officer

            Harlan Warde as Admiral's Aide

            Dick Wessel as Mess sergeant

            Mack Williams
            
            Keith Larsen
            
            John Mallory Asher as Lt. Black

            Gordon Gebert
            
See full cast