Review of The Film Tuskegee Airmen

With over six film wins and sixteen nominations, including the nomination for one Golden Globe, Tuskegee Airmen is a remarkable dramatic film based on historical true events centered during World War II. Director Robert Markowitz proves greatly capable in presenting a family-friendly emotional film along with a lively message. With 7.2-star out of 10-star review, Laurence Fishburne as Hannibal Lee and Allen Payne as Walter Peoples, along with other powerful actors, leave a heavy and powerful imprint on its viewers in this 1995 film.

Derived from the name of the airbase that completes the training of a group of the first African American pilots, the “Tuskegee Airmen” are named as the group of men under a development of the United States Army Air Corps to assimilate African American pilots into a Pilot program, to serve alongside the remainder of the army. The film projects the struggle of this team of African American men who work to serve the United States as their home country, but while suffering from prejudice and harassment due to the racism at play during the 1940s. Even though these young men are intelligent and capable pilots, the film reflects the struggle endured in for both the African American base and the remainder of the Army to accept one another and join forces as one. As projected in the film, the white soldier counterpart of the African American pilot team eventually realizes these men are due honor and respect for their capabilities and efforts in fighting for the American side. The film focuses specifically on a group of Airmen who not only mark a key moment in the American progression to racial acceptance and unity, but the also offers a glimpse at the possible relationship of African Americans and Whites in the standard American population. Over-time as both parties work together for a common goal, both sides realize that neither is over the other and that both sides are one, both American.

Generally, the film offered an un-biased glimpse into the Tuskegee Airmen in a modernized production using realistic language and character of the time-period. This simple effect allowed the film to remain ageless and appropriate in effectively exemplifying a historical moment, or simply for causal viewing. Introducing the story with a flash-back moment leading into the story offers as an attention grabbing technique and remains active throughout the film with the energetic effort of the actors. Using the energy of the actors, portions of the film use comical relief smoothing over the negative aspects, allowing a balanced overall influence. Further, the coloration usage within the film is bright and visually clear to follow and the spoken word is fairly sharp and understandable, making it effortless to follow along. Even though the overall production and storyline of the film is successful in generating a film that is able to remain focused on an important moment in history, some scenes contain dialogue lengths that nearly compromises the attention span of the viewer. Also, some of the language may not be suitable for the younger generations, but is yet appropriate in reflecting how the African American people were spoken to and is an example of what is to be avoided. Overall, Tuskegee Airmen is a distinguished and classical film highlighting a historical moment in American History where differences are put aside and many come together to progress America away from intense racism and acknowledgement that skin color does not differentiate one American from another, but each one is equally American wishing safety for their family in the great land of opportunity.