Review of Hell's Angels (1930) by Bob V — 28 Apr 2011

A showcase of Howard Hawk's (brilliant) megalomania, and Jean Harlow's jumping off point from which she conquered all until her sudden and tragic death. "Hell's Angels" was begun as a silent film, but after the filming had already started, "The Jazz Singer" hit, and Hawks immediately decided to re-shoot for sound. This also led to one of the first casualties of the advent of sound, with the original lead actress being replaced by Harlow, because of her ztronk akssend.

The film's plot concerns two brothers, a dame who's no better than she should be, and their German friend who is placed on the other side of the War when it breaks out. It's a hanky moment for sure. But none of that really matters, it's all about the air-plane scenes, which aviators told Hawks were impossible to shoot the way he wanted them. They were proven sort of wrong, but people actually died or were mutilated for life. Hawks flew the plane in the finale himself, and crash-landed quite badly.

So "Hell's Angels" is a tour de force from an insane genius who let nothing mar his vision, not danger to himself, not loss of other people's lives, nothing at all! Well, maybe bacteria...

If - however - you find war films and air-plane stunts as mind-numbingly dull as I do, this is not a film for you. If you enjoy these though, this is THE film for you, and no offence to Kelly McGillis of "Top Gun" fame (or yes offence, whatever), but Jean Harlow is a way hotter pilot-fucker.