The Wings of Eagles (1957)

63% of users liked it
(4,096 ratings)

The Wings of Eagles is filmmaker John Ford's paean to his frequent collaborator--and, it is rumored, drinking buddy--Cmdr. Frank "Spig" Wead. John Wayne stars as Wead, a reckless WW1 Naval aviator who (it says here) was instrumental in advancing the cause of American "air power". In private life,… More The Wings of Eagles is filmmaker John Ford's paean to his frequent collaborator--and, it is rumored, drinking buddy--Cmdr. Frank "Spig" Wead. John Wayne stars as Wead, a reckless WW1 Naval aviator who (it says here) was instrumental in advancing the cause of American "air power". In private life, Wead becomes estranged from his wife Minnie (Maureen O'Hara) after the death of their baby. Drinking heavily, Wead tumbles down the stairs of his home, and as a result he is apparently paralyzed for life. With the help of happy-go-lucky Navy mechanic Carson (Dan Dailey), Wead is able to regain minimal use of his legs, but it seems clear that his Naval career is over. Fortunately, he manages to find work as a prolific Hollywood screenwriter, and after the attack of Pearl Harbor he is called back to active duty to oversee the construction of "jeep carriers". Not one of John Ford's more coherent films--in fact, it's downright sloppy at times--The Wings of Eagles nonetheless contains several highlights, not least of which are the "I'm gonna move that toe" scene with John Wayne and Dan Dailey, and Ward Bond's inside-joke performance as irreverent film director "John Dodge". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: John Ford
Written By: Frank Fenton, William Wister Haines
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1957 Wide
On DVD: Jun 6, 2006

Critic Reviews

Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Wants to be epic in scope but ends up feeling like ham-fisted CliffsNotes version of a man's life. The film loiters way, way too long on Frank Wead's early days as a hell-raising test pilot, then skips ahead through long sections of his life.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though sentimental as a biopic of Navy hero Frank (Sig) Wead, John Ford's film has old-fashioned charm, a result of John Wayne's lead performance and his chemistry with Maureen O'Hara.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This routine sentimental biopic is directed with much feeling by John Ford.

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

John Ford's follow-up to The Searchers is surprisingly un-remarkable. A biopic of Frank "Spig" Wead, a solider turned cripple turned screenwriter, "The Wings of Eagles is an impeccably crafted piece of fluffy propaganda.
Dean M

An excellent and often-moving biopic about navy-flier-turned-screenwriter Frank "Spig" Wead, this film features fine dramatic performances from John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Features the usual John Ford elements of sentimentality and brawling slapstick, but… More
An excellent and often-moving biopic about navy-flier-turned-screenwriter Frank "Spig" Wead, this film features fine dramatic performances from John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Features the usual John Ford elements of sentimentality and brawling slapstick, but there's also an underlying poignancy that makes this a treat.
Conner R

A movie that's powerful enough to make a grown man cry. John Ford tells the story of Frank Spig like no one else could have. With a combination of great action sequences and intimate character moments, this becomes more than just an average movie. John Wayne delivers a powerhouse… More
A movie that's powerful enough to make a grown man cry. John Ford tells the story of Frank Spig like no one else could have. With a combination of great action sequences and intimate character moments, this becomes more than just an average movie. John Wayne delivers a powerhouse performance, like always, and makes you truly admire Spig. It's such an uplifting and human story which shouldn't be missed by anyone.

Cast

            John Wayne as Frank W. "Spig" Wead

            Dan Dailey as "Jughead" Carson

            Maureen O'Hara as Minnie Wead

            Ward Bond as John Dodge

            Ken Curtis as John Dale Price

            Edmund Lowe as Adm. Moffett

            Kenneth Tobey as Capt. Herbert Allen Hazard

            James Todd as Jack Travis

            Barry Kelley as Capt. Jock Clark

            Sig Rumann as Party Manager

            Henry O'Neill as Capt. Spear

            Willis B. Bouchey as Barton

            Dorothy Jordan as Rose Brentmann

            Tige Andrews as "Arizona" Pincus

            Veda Ann Borg
            
            Danny Borzage as Pete

            Olive Carey as Bridy O'Faolain

            James Flavin as Military Policeman at garden party

            Mimi Gibson as Lila Wead

            Fred Graham as Officer in brawl

            Sam Harris as Patient

            William Henry as Naval aide

            Louis Jean Heydt as Dr. John Keye

            Stuart Holmes as Producer

            Cliff Lyons
            
            Mae Marsh as Nurse Crumley

            May McAvoy as Nurse

            Alberto Morin as 2nd Manager

            Peter Ortiz as Lt. Charles Dexter

            Chuck Roberson as Officer

            Evelyn Rudie as Doris Wead

            William Tracy as Air Force Officer

            Charles Trowbridge as Adm. Crown

            Harlan Warde as Executive Officer

            Jack Pennick as Joe McGuffey

            Janet Lake as Nurse

            Sig Ruman
            
See full cast