The Wings of Eagles is the Hollywood treatment of Frank (Spig) Wead. He was a pioneer in naval aviation, and later a screenwriter in Hollywood. He may have become just another person in aviation history, if not for this fairly accurate portrayal by John Ford. The film’s lead, John Wayne, is very convincing, showing Wead’s triumphs and tragedies. Wead’s life as a naval officer seems headed in the right direction, participating in and winning national and international air races. Wayne portrays him as cocky and then humble. Just as it seems life is great, Wead suffers a terrible setback. He falls down stairs in his house, suffering a crippling injury. It ends his aviation career, but it doesn’t stop him. Spig Wead overcomes his injury, and becomes a successful screenwriter. He is able to support his family, for many years doing this. He is at heart still a navy man, and when war comes, he answers his country’s call, serving on an aircraft carrier.
John Wayne was famous for playing heroes, mainly western ones. His portrayal of Spig Wead, shows that he can play a real life hero. He displays Wead’s brashness, bragging how the navy pilots are better than army ones. This of course leads to a few fights. He shows his heartache, when Wead loses a child. Wayne shows Wead’s indomitable spirit, when he walks with assistance, urged on by his friends, while recovering in the hospital. He shows the pride and joy of a man going back to his true love, the navy. There probably could have been any number of Hollywood stars to portray Frank Wead, but John Wayne is perfect.
The actress who portrays Spig Wead’s wife, Min, is Maureen O’Hara. She was Wayne’s costar, in several films. She does well as his faithful, but stressed companion. A good scene is when she pins aviator wings on Wayne. She shows the grief of a mother who loses her child through illness. She does great in her dramatic scenes with Wayne, particularly when helping him through his trauma. She isn’t as dominant as she is in other movies with Wayne, but her presence helps the film.
It is hard to say John Ford’s done it again, because of his great films. This movie stands out because it is a solid biopic. That is a rare thing in Hollywood. It is interesting with Ford, because he tended to embellish history. He was friends with Spig Wead, and honors him in this movie. He even has a director in the film, Frank Dodge, modeled after him. The Dodge character is played by John Wayne’s best friend, Ward Bond. Dodge is known as a western director, and has mementos of the west all over his office. Ford has put a small homage to himself, in Dodge’s meeting with Wead. Dodge has on his desk, a model of a stagecoach. This is of course a reminder of Wayne and Ford’s first movie. John Ford has managed with The Wings of Eagles to continue his crafting of American heroes.
A film like The Wings of Eagles lifts a person’s spirits. It shows the can do spirit of America. Spig Wead because of his naval background and support of friends, like Jughead Carson, (Dan Dailey), never gives up. Dailey as Carson gives comic relief to a mainly serious movie. The film also shows how Spig Wead and the navy helped wartime aviation. This film is not only a modest history lesson, but also shows a man overcoming overwhelming odds.