Dem Adler gleich (1957)

Dem Adler gleich: Directed by John Ford. With John Wayne, Dan Dailey, Maureen O’Hara, Ward Bond. A biography of Navy flier-turned-screenwriter Frank W. “Spig” Wead.

“Wonderfully shot Ford film with a lively look at the spirit of Navy , including glorification of military life , familiar drama , love and sentimental nostalgia with interesting character studio of a varied assortment of individuals . Itu0026#39;s a first-rate war melodrama , including comedy , and masterfully directed by the great John Ford . Itu0026#39;s based on the life of one of Americau0026#39;s greatest air heroes , Frank ¨Spig¨Wead , an Air hero who wrote plays about the war . He starred some rousing exploits in the ¨Schneider Cup Air Races¨. But he suffers a home accident and is interned in ¨San Diego National Hospital¨, and despite being crippled and wheel-bound he subsequently made a substantial contribution to Americau0026#39;s war effort in the Pacific during WWII. He was a famous aviation pioneer become Hollywood screenwriter and one of them was ¨They were expendable (1945) ¨ directed by the same Ford and also with Wayne in the main role . This is a great and stolid drama, a John Fordu0026#39;s lusty realization and marvelously constructed. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis classic picture ranks as one of the best of John Fordu0026#39;s work. It contains Fordu0026#39;s usual themes as familiar feeling , a little bit enjoyable humor, friendship and and sense of comradeship among people . Multiple highlights as the fights between Air and Army soldiers and of course the sensible final farewell on the carrier . Interesting screenplay portraying in depth characters and brooding events with interesting issues running beneath script surface is written by Frank Fenton, John Fordu0026#39;s habitual, and based on the life and writings of Commander Frank W. u0026#39;Spigu0026#39; Wead . u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis excellent film featuring a magnificent performance by whole casting . Awesome John Wayne in a larger-than-life character . Enticing and intimate Maureen Ou0026#39;Hara in a sensible role with sensational acting . Excellent co-starring cast as War Bond as John Ford-alter ego, including pipe-smoking and hat . In the film appears , as usual , Fordu0026#39;s favourite actors as Ken Curtis , Mae Marsh , Kenneth Tobey, Willis Bouchey, Jack Pennick , some of them are uncredited . Good cinematography by Paul Voguel and jingoist musical score by Jeff Alexander. Rating : Better than average . Worthwhile watching .”