Overview
Two brothers face the horrors of war and their own personal demons in the skies above Europe.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- melodramatic
- sensational
- classic cinema night
- aviation film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the aerial sequences as absorbing and technically spectacular while finding the conventional plot and melodramatic characterizations much weaker.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film is renowned for its elaborate fighter, bomber, and airship sequences, including the climactic dogfight.
Roy volunteers partly to protect Monte, while Monte seeks to overcome his cowardly reputation and prove himself worthy of his brother.
Helen's romantic dalliances and the film's explicit sexual frankness and profanity exemplify its pre-code Hollywood context.
Critics broadly praised the flying scenes while describing the characterizations and plot as mundane or maudlin.
Films like Hell's Angels, and why
Wings
early aviation spectacle, wartime aerial combat, and melodramatic brotherly conflict
The Dawn Patrol
classic war drama combining large-scale combat spectacle with romantic melodrama
Flight Command
aviation-centered wartime drama focused on pilots, duty, and dangerous missions
The Public Enemy
pre-code Hollywood sexuality, sensational spectacle, and morally conflicted characters
Movie Details
- Director
- Howard Hughes
- Release Date
- 1930-11-15
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (111)
Cast
- Ben Lyon
- James Hall
- Jean Harlow
- John Darrow
- Lucien Prival
- Frank Clarke
- Roy Wilson
- Douglas Gilmore
- Jane Winton
- Evelyn Hall
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hell's Angels about?
- Two estranged-in-spirit brothers confront cowardice, betrayal, and wartime duty in a landmark pre-code aviation spectacle.
- What is Hell's Angels like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hell's Angels as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Hell's Angels violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Hell's Angels as moderate.
- What did critics think of Hell's Angels?
- Critics broadly regard the aerial sequences as absorbing and technically spectacular while finding the conventional plot and melodramatic characterizations much weaker.
- Which films are like Hell's Angels?
- Films with a similar feel include Wings, The Dawn Patrol, Flight Command, and The Public Enemy.
- How long is Hell's Angels?
- Hell's Angels runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hell's Angels?
- In United States, Hell's Angels streams on Artiflix.
