Flying Leathernecks

USA (1951)
Nicholas Ray, dir.
John Wayne, Robert Ryan

by Christopher Collier (8/17/07)

Venturing out of Westerns and into John Wayne’s other genre, I realized pretty quickly why there are so many different opinions of Wayne. Wayne’s acting is nothing special, he fills a particular niche, but certain directors are able to use his charisma and rugged, Americana persona to create stirring films that shed incredible light into that American ideal. Other directors, however, when using him as an action star, fail to utilize the mythos of Wayne and instead just plaster the screen with his image. John Ford was a master at using his bravado to compliment other characters and create a universe; Nicholas Ray filled two hours with pointless action scenes, a gruff, but puddle-deep Wayne, and not enough dramatic tension to fill a thimble.

Released during the Korean War as blatant propaganda, Flying Leathernecks follows a band of marine pilots and their exploits during various battles in WWII particularly Guadalcanal. The film opens with The Wildcats being assigned a new leader, the hardened Major Dan Kirby (Wayne). There is instant dissent in the squad due as the squadron’s own Captain Carl "Griff" Griffin (Ryan) was supposed to be promoted. Shipped to Guadalcanal and faced with one of the most treacherous battles of the War, the film projects a pointed message about sacrifice and following orders. With Kirby bearing down on his men and Griff siding with the flyers, tensions rise as Griff has to learn the hard way that leadership also means sacrifice.

While this message might have been vital to raising morale during the Korean War, bolstering both those at home and the troops into understanding the sacrifice made in wartime, the slipshod direction and lack of forward momentum leave the film flimsy and patronizing. At the end I felt bludgeoned by the message and bored by the utter lack of interest the "pilots" showed while sitting motionless during dogfights.