Flying Tigers (1942)

63% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(705 ratings)

The Flying Tigers were a group of American volunteer aviators, flying against the Japanese on behalf of General Claire Chennault and Chinese leader Chiang Kai-Shek in the months just prior to World War II. John Wayne is the most responsible of the bunch, and John Carroll the least. It's bad enough… More The Flying Tigers were a group of American volunteer aviators, flying against the Japanese on behalf of General Claire Chennault and Chinese leader Chiang Kai-Shek in the months just prior to World War II. John Wayne is the most responsible of the bunch, and John Carroll the least. It's bad enough that Carroll tries to beat Wayne's time with pretty Red Cross nurse Anna Lee; but when Carroll's negligence results in the death of veteran-flyer Paul Kelly, the man becomes a pariah to the rest of the pilots. Unable to serve in World War II due to health reasons, John Wayne spent the duration licking the Japanese and the Germans in front of a Republic Studios process screen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: David Miller
Written By: Kenneth Gamet, Barry Trivers
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 8, 1942 Wide
On DVD: May 16, 2000

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
As a war film, it's weak, but thematically, it is significant for introducing the two-generational conflicts that defined most of John Wayne's features, war, adventures, and Westerns.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Jingoistic, flag waving John Wayne action, circa 1942.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
While the plot is a clunky and the message heavyhanded, the acting is generally good.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film's best scenes are reserved for the 1930s style airplane dog-fights.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Great, hokey action and romance set in WW2 China