Wings (1927) Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation Directors: William A. Wellman, Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast Producer: Lucien Hubbard, B.P. Schulberg Cast: Clara Bow, Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Richard Arlen, Jobyna Ralston. Awards ceremony: -1st Academy Awards: May 16, 1929. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles, California. Other films nominated for Outstanding Picture this year: -The Racket. -7th Heaven. Plot summary: Two young men (David and Jack), both in love with the same girl Sylvia (JOBYNA RALSTON), enlist to fight in the war where they become fighter pilots. Initially they are bitter rivals but soon become close friends. As the war unfolds Mary (CLARA BOW) - signs up as a medical nurse and ends up in France where the two men are stationed. But when she is rejected by Jack she returns home to the States, leaving Jack and David to see out the war. The old rivalry between the two men comes to a boil once more which ends in tragedy when Jack shoots David's plane out of the sky in a case of mistaken identity. Standout scene: You sense early on that there is some strong resentment between the two male characters and it doesn't take long before things spill over and they go at it with each other during an exercise drill. When the fight is over the two men agree to put it behind them and earn each other's respect. Facts: -The 1st Academy Awards had two separate categories for Best Picture: [I] Outstanding Picture (which was won by "Wings") and [II] Best Unique and Artistic Picture (which was won by "Sunrise"). For the sake of being complete, I have reviewed both films for this project. -The film also won the Academy Award for Best Effects/Engineering Effects (Roy Pomeroy). -Silent film. Personal opinion: Epic war drama with exhilarating battle sequences both in the air and on the ground. A complicated love triangle (or rather, quadruple) between Mary who loves Jack, but Jack loves Sylvia, but Sylvia loves David. A brief flash of male (rear) nudity as well as Clara Bow having her top half momentarily exposed too. Bearing in mind this was 1927 there are some extraordinary shots being showcased here, particularly the aerial sequences. The dog-fight and trench battles are incredible to watch. Bombs dropping, explosions, destruction of buildings, all so impressive. The music and audio on the Eureka Blu-Ray really bring the film to life. One shot in the Paris ballroom shows the camera 'gliding' across the room almost as though it was going through the tables in front of it. The directing is excellent, the editing is perfect and the cinematography is outstanding. A far superior film to SUNRISE is almost every aspect. Did it deserve the Oscar? YES. 8/10

Review date: 02 February 2025