Review of Wings (1966) by Geonard Y — 02 Dec 2006
RATING (0 to ****): **1/2.
When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences started their famous awards, there were two separate Best Pictures handed out:
-Unique and Artistic Production, won by F.W. Murnau's "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans".
-Production, won by "Wings".
"Wings" is what would be officially named as the Best Picture of 1927 when they were all put on a list. As any film snob will tell you, though, "Sunrise" is an infinitely better film. See both of them, and you'll realize they're right (for once).
With its battle sequences that never seem to end, "Wings" dangerously heads towards "boredom" territory. It works better in its humorous bits, where only in the 20th century could a drunken soldier be envisioning bubbles in a non-parody film. Even more memorable is the Dutch soldier who, whenever his [American] patriotism is questioned, he proudly rips off his shirt and shows off his "Stars and Stripes Forever" tattoo on his flabby arm- the VHS copy I viewed accompanies this with patriotic music, adding to the fun.
Finally, at the end, when we're confused as to who's who and what's what in the chaos of war, "Wings" moves to a powerful conclusion, which, for odd reasons, works. While I was very moved, I still feel that there is a Best Picture of 1927, and this ain't it.
MPAA: Not Rated (but would be PG for war violence).
Runtime: 2 hours, 18 minutes (fills up entire runtime).
This review of Wings (1966) was written by Geonard Y on 02 Dec 2006.
Wings has generally received positive reviews.
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