George Lucas, known for his adventure and science fiction films, tears a page from the WWII war history book and produces Red Tails a true story of courage in the face of adversity and discrimination. Much like Spike Lee’s Miracle at St. Anna the backdrop of war becomes the field on which we see the selfless devotion of African-American soldiers helping to maintain a free world. I like the way director Anthony Hemingway tells his story based on true events with a kind heart and forgiving hand, even though the situation was probably more disparaging than he shows here.
In 1944 with the war in Europe in full swing setting up air bases in allied countries from which our forces could attack, one base in Italy hosted an all African-American Air Force squadron. Only used to clean up after missions run by white airmen, the group of members from the experimental Tuskegee training program bided their time waiting to get into the ‘real’ action instead of shooting at hapless convoys and trains.
Torn by their wasted effort, Colonel A.J. Bullard (Terrance Howard) takes his cause to the Pentagon where he pleads his case. The men of Tuskegee in the meantime hustle as many jaunts as they can to keep sharp, some nearly taking fellow pilots lives. Bullard gets an opportunity to pass on a small mission to his Major Emanuelle Stance (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) of escorting a bomber squadron that ends in a successful mission. When the Tuskegee’s are requested to lead bombers into a major beach assault, the squadron must face their worst odds yet against superior aircraft the war has never known.
The acting in Red Tails proves exceptional with very good character building, discriminating interaction with a dissident group of airmen, a blind eye between ethnic groups involving a romantic affair and realistic drama in the skies. A tip of the hat to a special group of guys who made up the Tuskegee Squadron as they all gave excellent performances.
Some may see a downside in the film from the unfavorable light cast upon white air force pilots who brought bigotry and discrimination to the war zone. The issue gets pressed quite heavily here indicating there will probably never be a perfect solution to man’s inhumanity to man. In my book the ending shows a realistic apologetic response, one I hope will resonate throughout our communities bringing an end to differences in color, creed and inequality.
Red Tails has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of war violence. Get a good seat for all the great flying action and there’s plenty of it to enjoy if you are and action lover.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good war drama based on true events. (A)
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
