Rating of
3.5/4
Review - Wings (1927)
Delorted - wrote on 10/20/07
In 1917, Jack Powell (Buddy Rogers) and David Armstrong (Richard Arlen) are both in love with Sylvia Lewis (Jobyna Ralston). Little does Jack know, however, that not only does Sylvia love David, but his next door neighbor Mary Preston (Clara Bow) is deeply in love with him. When World War I makes its way to America, the two boys join the U.S. Air Force, leaving the girls behind. Mary decides the only way she can be with Jack is to join the Women’s Motor Corp. The three learn of friendship and true love in the first Best Picture winning film.
“Wings” is not only an historical film for being the first to win the now-coveted gold statue, but it is also has one of the best told stories of the silent film era. The story glides along as smoothly as, well, an airplane. The characters really drive the story and keep it exciting and entertaining the whole way through. Jack is a kind and sensitive but naïve boy from a middle class family, while David is a more serious but still fun-loving boy from a more wealthy family. Mary’s passionate love for Jack makes her character the deepest of all. She is the kind of person that will stop at nothing to be with her true love.
The film broke boundaries in both visual effects and content, as it is the first known film to involve a (fraternal) male-on-male kiss. The visual effects and camerawork are also quite advanced for 1927. The dogfight scenes were filmed in a way that made you feel as if you were really there in the action (and in as much danger as well). It is very hard to tell in most scenes if there has been any effect work at all, such as blue screen or the like.
One of the most important and memorable features of silent films is, of course, the music. The score for “Wings” was written for and performed entirely by the pipe organ, which gives it a perpetual sound that keeps the mood stable. It is lighthearted when the scene is happy and fast during an action scene. There’s not really much to say other than that the music works, plain and simple.
“Wings” is a marvelous, high-flying film that keeps you wanting more all the way through. It is easy to follow and fun to watch. You even may feel a little more patriotic after watching.
Acting: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Video/Editing: 9/10
Audio/Music: 9/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Final Score: 9.2/10
