Moviecut—The Eagle and the Hawk

source: The Eagle and the Hawk

Fredric March and Cary Grant star in "The Eagle and the Hawk," a 1933 film about World War I. March plays Jerry Young, a Flying Corps pilot responsible for filming documentary positions. It's extremely difficult for him; a sensitive man, seeing all the tragedy devastates him. Crocker (Cary Grant) is an ambitious gunner, anxious to get in the air, and loves killing Germans. The film has wonderful aviation scenes (and Mitchell Leisen is rumored to have been the actual director of this film) which are very impressive. A powerful antiwar statement, and very unusual for its time. The ending is quite stunning and partially unexpected. Both men give excellent performances - in today's world, March may seem a bit over the top, but it was the style in those days. Carole Lombard has brief scenes as someone who tries to be helpful to him. The overall atmosphere of this film is depressing, so don't watch it if you want to be entertained by something light. However, it's ahead of its time and definitely worth seeing.

War is not my favourite genre when it comes to film, but it is a much appreciated one and re-visited every now and again. With there being so many brilliant, incredibly well made and important war films out there in each decade, and not just the First and Second World wars. The cast was another big selling point, have always had a thing for great casts, having often liked very much Fredric March and Cary Grant (the latter against type for back then). 'The Eagle and the Hawk' didn't disappoint. It is not quite one of the best and most important films in the genre, but it was to me at that point and still is nearly ninety years on one of the best war-set aviation films. 'The Eagle and the Hawk' is to me and many others a very powerful, emotionally moving and inspiring film, with some messaging, and it's exceptionally well written and performed across the board. Not optimistic and not an easy watch, but in no way is that a bad thing. It is a shame that somewhat that lovely Carole Lombard is given so little to do, but although her screen time is small (and rather too brief) her presence is not. March though is truly outstanding, his conflict being both intense and moving, giving one of his best earlier performances. Grant also excels in an atypical role for the time, not having as much of his usual urbane charm but more a hard-edged persona. Did worry that Jack Oakie would not be funny, would be annoying and would be out of place, but actually he proved to be amusing and welcome but not distracting levity that blended better than expected. In fact, casting-wise one couldn't have asked for better. The characters are well drawn and flaws and all they were not difficult to get behind. 'The Eagle and the Hawk' is very assuredly and sympathetically directed while having edge too. Visually 'The Eagle and the Hawk' is accomplished, with atmospheric and beautifully framed photography in particular. The aerial footage is inserted with skill and with very little sign of awkwardness, it doesn't look cheap. The score didn't seem too loud or too constant and it's thoughtfully and sincerely scripted. The story has an unusual for the time bitterness and not many films at this point of film history were this strongly against war, but the film conveys this with conviction without being preachy in my view. Emotionally, it's powerful stuff and incredibly poignant. The action thrills, has intensity and brings a lump to the throat. The aviation sequences are similarly scintillating and have a real sense of authenticity. The ending stuck with me. Altogether, great with a lot of emotional impact and a brilliant cast. 9/10

Heck no! Gary Cooper would NOT besmirch the reputation of American lawmen like that, nor would he belittle the memories of U.S. servicemen when he starred as SERGEANT YORK (to paraphrase, "Gunning down Germans is more fun than shooting turkeys"). Apparently, actor Fredric March had no such qualms in portraying an American war hero as a nattering ninny. First his "Lt. Jerry Young" reams out Cary Grant's character for trying to shoot the enemy. Then when he finally sees the most deadly tool of the Kaiser face-to-face after instinctively blasting him away despite himself, March's Lt. Young immediately berates his comrades as fools for doing their best to protect our Homeland, after which he shoots himself in the head. "Lt. Young" and March hardly qualify as eagles OR hawks (unless you include chicken hawks). Director Stuart Walker could have beaten Dalton Trumbo to the punch, and titled this early anti-hero piece JERRY GOT HIS GUN!

Eagle and the Hawk, The (1933) **** (out of 4) Extremely hard-hitting and emotional anti-war film from Paramount features Fredric March, Cary Grant and Carole Lombard but for some reason it seems that history has forgotten this movie. March and Jack Oakie play pilots who are sent to France to lead up a group who, with gunners as protection, fly over hot zones to take pictures of the enemy. March quickly becomes a hero but his soul begins to hurt as he feels responsible for the gunners who are being killed on his mission. Soon the third pilot of the group (Grant) shows up to be a gunner for March but by this time the veteran pilot finds himself questioning the war and his missions. I had never heard of this film or even heard a mention of it when early war films were discussed and that's a real shame because this film deserves to be known by more people. I was really shocked at how brutally honest and at times heart breaking this film was and it's wasn't afraid to show it's feelings towards war. Most war films from this era always ended with a strong victory but this one here isn't about the victories but instead the deaths that it takes to get a win in battle. The film is also rather graphic in some of the death scenes with one of the biggest scenes coming when March must wipe blood off his hands. I've always called March one of the greatest actors in the history of film but this might very well be the best I've seen him. There are two sequences in the film, which the actor just really amazed me and surpassed the greatness he delivered to countless other films. One sequence is where he's having a nightmare about seeing pilots on fire and falling through the air. The second comes when he is being toasted for killing an ace pilot and March finally lets his feelings known. Grant is pretty good in his role as is Oakie. Carole Lombard has a brief, two scene role as a woman who helps March. As with many war films from this era, the aerial scenery is quite breathtaking with some beautiful stunts. These stunts are very good but they never take away from the main goal of the film, which is to show what costs there are to victories. I had never heard of this film but I'm so glad I watched it because it's certainly one of the best of the decade.

Fredric March gives an outstanding performance as an Army pilot officer dealing with the issues of mortality as he deals with constant death surrounding him. Five of his men are killed in front of his eyes in a short period of time and when the next one comes in, it is Cary Grant, whom he had earlier fought with. March quietly keeps everything in, only managing a smile thank to the comic antics of the bombastic Jack Oakie. One long sequence has March finding comfort thanks to a glamorous stranger he meets, played by Carole Lombard. Intent on obviously seducing him, she provides a much needed shoulder as she realizes the impact that the war has had on him. More war drama than action, this gives a private peak into the inner turmoils that men face while fighting. Even killing an enemy can lead to extreme psychological issues as the impact takes affect. Powerful and profound, this is part anti-war and part pro as it deals with both sides of the situation. One of the best World War I dramas, this ranks up there with "Wings" and "All Quiet on the Western Front" although its short running time indicates a B film. It definitely ranks among the A's. Grant is supporting but does get a characterization that is strongly shifted by the circumstances surrounding him.

"The Eagle and the Hawk" follows the World War One exploits of three American volunteer airmen who are members of Britain's Royal Flying Corps (which was later to be renamed the Royal Air Force). After months of training, Jeremiah Young (March) and Mike Richards (Oakie) are transferred from England to an observer unit in France. The third airman, Henry Crocker (Grant), washes out and later becomes an aerial gunner. The observer unit flies two-seat biplanes doing primarily reconnaissance work, but this does not stop Young from being a very successful pilot, downing two enemy aircraft on his first mission alone. His initial jubilation over this feat is crushed when he discovers that his observer has been killed. Though he continues to shoot down many German aircraft, he has the appalling luck of losing five observers in his first two months. The film follows the career of this heroic pilot and his comrades, including Crocker who ultimately becomes his observer. As the weeks go by, Young becomes more and more guilt-ridden, not only over losing those who fly with him, but over the many young Germans he has slain. "The Eagle and the Hawk" is a well-made, well-acted film with decent aerial footage and a wonderful, anguished performance by Fredric March. Though he might be overlooked, Forrester Harvey's character is rather thought-provoking. He plays an enlisted man who has the unenviable task of collecting the belongings of slain airmen for safekeeping. On Young's first day, he had to perform this task five times. This film is truly a gem which presents a strong anti-war message, one which is particularly interesting considering the time it was made (1933 being the year that Hitler achieved power in Germany and the 1930s being the period of appeasement). Its ending has a pair of surprises which are well worth the price of admission. This is a film which is highly recommended for classic movie fans.

Often when a classic movie is forgotten there is a good reason for it. However this is not the case with Eagle & the Hawk. Sure it's no masterpiece but it's a pretty solid WWI movie that focuses on the realities of war. It reminds me somewhat of "All Quiet on the Western Front." It's not quite as good as that but it has similar themes. The movie stars Fredric March & Cary Grant. Cary Grant is probably the more well known star today but back in 1933 March was the bigger name and he is the main star with Grant as the supporting player. I love Cary Grant and he does a pretty good job here playing a character that is not completely sympathetic. This is the type of part that you would not really see from him later in his career. However March is the real star of this picture and he is absolutely fantastic as a soldier who slowly loses his nerve. It's a real shame March is not better remembered today. Overall March and Grant have great on screen chemistry and interact well as two WWI pilots who dislike each other yet respect the others' abilities. The ending in my opinion is also quite memorable. The only sour point of the film is a small cameo by Carole Lombard. Don't get me wrong I am a big fan of Lombard but her part is pretty pointless here and it doesn't mesh with the rest of the film. It just seems the writers wanted to add a little romance to the movie whether it fit or not.

Powerful WWI film about the horrors of war, with an exceptional performance by Fredric March as an American pilot flying with the RAF who grows increasingly disturbed by all the death he sees. Cary Grant has an important supporting role as another pilot who clashes with March. This is one of the earliest dramatic roles for Cary that showed what he was capable of. Carole Lombard has only one scene as the appropriately-titled Beautiful Lady. Jack Oakie is March's sidekick, the closest thing to comic relief in the film. About midway through the film, look for a brief scene with Kenneth Howell playing a young pilot. He walks into the scene wearing eye shadow, lipstick, and penciled-on eyebrows! Terrific aviation action scenes and short runtime are pluses. Sincere, believable antiwar film that gets its message across more powerfully than a hundred preachier movies of its type. Not as well-remembered as some of its contemporaries but it should be.