Red Tails

“Red Tails” stars Terence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Oyelowo and Nate Parker in this 2 hour film produced by George Lucas, written by John Ridley and Aaron McGruder and directed by Anthony Hemingway. The film tells the story of the 332nd Fighter Group of the Army Air Force, an “experimental unit” created by the Civil Aeronautics Association to determine if African Americans were “capable” of becoming combat pilots in World War II. Trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, 13 cadets were selected to engage in the program whose members ultimately became known as the “Tuskegee Airmen”. Faced with a history of prejudice and abuse by a nation that considered “colored people” as second class citizens, at best, these new pilots were first assigned mop up operations flying less than airworthy Curtis P-40 fighter planes. Nevertheless, their outstanding skill and dedication brought significant harm to the German enemy. Finally recognized for their talent and effectiveness, they were given new P-51 fighters, the best the country had to offer at the time, and allowed these brave heroes to utilize their new equipment in achieving even greater feats of valor. To distinguish the group, the tails of the new aircraft were painted red which, ironically, was the only “color” that, in the end, really should have mattered. Unfortunately the film is burdened with some trite dialog and plot lines and sometimes reminded me of one of those B movies exhibited in World War II. But putting all that aside, the real stars of the film are not the actors, writers or the director but, instead, (a) the powerful story it tells and (b) the Lucasfilm special effects that enhance and make the movie experience so exhilarating. Most of the film takes place in Italy and in the offices of the Pentagon during the period 1943 to 1945 after the men have completed their training.. I would have preferred some flashbacks to the kind of life these men lived prior to the Tuskegee undertaking which would have highlighted even more the difference between the bigoted society they were defending and the levels of heroism and valor they exemplified and displayed. As hard as it is for us to comprehend that as late as only 55 years ago, African Americans could not use the same public facilities or attend the same schools as whites, it is even more difficult to witness these same disenfranchised minority members risking their lives for the society that so cruelly treated and regarded them. I give this film 3 stars. The important message the viewer comes away with after watching this film is that the Tuskegee Airmen were indeed a credit to their race…..The Human Race.