Overview
In the skies of World War I, friendship and rivalry collide amidst the chaos of battle and love.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- romantic
- melodramatic
- classic film night
- aviation film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a landmark silent action film whose technically ambitious aerial combat and emotional sweep outweigh its conventional romantic melodrama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack and David initially compete for Sylvia while Mary loves Jack without reciprocation.
The two pilots begin as bitter rivals but become close friends in the same French squadron.
Fighter-pilot missions, dogfights, and battlefield aviation dominate the film's action set pieces.
The film is a major Paramount silent production built around visual action, expressive performances, and romantic melodrama.
Films like Wings, and why
The Big Parade
shared silent-era spectacle, wartime aviation, romantic melodrama, and black-and-white visual style
All Quiet on the Western Front
shared World War I setting, large-scale combat spectacle, romance, and melodramatic drama
The General
shared silent filmmaking, comic relief, romantic entanglements, and visually inventive physical action
Hell's Angels
shared aerial combat, wartime comradeship, romance, and emotionally direct adventure drama
Movie Details
- Director
- William A. Wellman
- Release Date
- 1927-08-12
- Runtime
- 144 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (348)
Cast
- Clara Bow
- Charles 'Buddy' Rogers
- Richard Arlen
- Jobyna Ralston
- El Brendel
- Richard Tucker
- Gary Cooper
- Gunboat Smith
- Henry B. Walthall
- Roscoe Karns
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Wings about?
- A spectacular silent World War I aviation drama turns a love triangle between two young pilots into an affecting story of rivalry, sacrifice, and comradeship.
- What is Wings like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Wings as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Wings violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Wings as moderate.
- What did critics think of Wings?
- Critics broadly regard it as a landmark silent action film whose technically ambitious aerial combat and emotional sweep outweigh its conventional romantic melodrama.
- Which films are like Wings?
- Films with a similar feel include The Big Parade, All Quiet on the Western Front, The General, and Hell's Angels.
- How long is Wings?
- Wings runs 144 minutes.
- Where can I watch Wings?
- In United States, Wings is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
