Tuskegee Airmen | 
| Director: Robert Markowitz
Actors: Laurence Fishburne, Allen Payne, Malcolm-jamal Warner, Courtney B. Vance, Andre Braugher
Studio: Hbo Home Video
List Price: $9.98
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Rating:  51 reviews
Sales Rank: 14317
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 106 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6304039255
UPC: 026359128530
EAN: 9786304039250
ASIN: 6304039255
Theatrical Release Date: August 26, 1995
Release Date: January 27, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: sealed mint condition VHS tape and complete artwork, IN STOCK RIGHT NOW
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This true story of the black flyers who broke the color barrier in the U.S. Air Force during World War II is a well-intentioned film highlighted by an excellent cast. Proud, solemn, Iowa-born Laurence Fishburne and city-kid hipster Cuba Gooding Jr. are among the hopefuls who meet en route to Tuskegee Air Force Base, where they are among the recruits for an "experimental" program to "prove" the abilities of the black man in the U.S. armed services. Fighting prejudice from racist officers and government officials and held to a consistently higher level of performance than their white counterparts, these men prove themselves in training and in combat, many of them dying for their country in the process. Andre Braugher costars as a West Point graduate who takes charge of the unit in Africa and in Italy (where it's christened the 332nd). The film is rousing, if slow starting and episodic, but it's periodically grounded by a host of war movie cliches, notably the calculated demise of practically every trainee introduced in the opening scenes (ironic given the 332nd's real-life combat record--high casualties for the enemy, low casualties among themselves, and no losses among the bombers they escorted). Ultimately the Emmy-nominated performances by moral backbone Fishburne and the dedicated Braugher and the energy and cocky confidence of Gooding give their battles both on and off the battlefield the sweet taste of victory. --Sean Axmaker
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| Customer Reviews: Read 46 more reviews...
 American History at its very best November 17, 1999
John A. Kuczma (Marietta, GA USA)
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
The story of the magnificent 332nd Fighter Group is woven into a dramatic tapestry of the horror of war and the disjointed approach of many Americans to a difficult time and a situation many would have preferred to ignore. The performance of the pilots who graduated the Tuskegee Training Program (they NEVER lost an escorted bomber to enemy action!) unfolds against the backdrop of misunderstanding, racism and political machinations that nearly destroyed the entire enterprise. This film does a magnificent job of telling the tale without being melodramatic, preachy or snide, but does full justice to the accomplishments of the pilots and their eventual victory against both German pilots and their own nation's refusal to recognize their talents. For the student of World War II, this is a well-known and much-respected story. For the student of African-American History, it is a tale of pride which shines as brightly as the stars on the American Flag these men so courageously defended. Fishburn and Cuba Gooding are superior as men caught between their own humanity and the de-humanizing effects of war. If ever a film deserve a 5-Star rating, this one does.
"I'd like to have the 332nd take me to Berlin" October 18, 2005
John A Lee III (San Antonio, TX)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
This is an excellent story of real people. It is not PC BS where all whites are bad and all blacks are good. Instead, it is about a great and valiant group of men, the first black combat pilots during World War II. They are depicted as the heroes they were, not as supermen. They faced all of the challenges thrown at them to become pilots and they faced more challenges from their race. Some were primadonnas and some were modest. Some failed and some succeeded. Some were serious and some were jocular. Their humanity made them heroes even when others didn't want to admit their worth. They were regular guys called upon to do a difficult job and they did so with aplomb and dignity. They also did so magnificently.
The story takes a group of the airmen from their pilot training in Alabama through the North African campaign where they were relegated to important but unglamorous work against ground targets. We see them mature into professionals and develop their skills, all while being denied an opportunity to prove those skills. Finally, they are moved to Europe where they face more discrimination. Even though they do a great job, no one wants to admit that they have done so. Even redneck bomber crews who have their bacon saved are reluctant to give thanks when they learn they have been saved by black men. Still, the men of the 332nd persevere.
Finally, comes the push to Berlin. The bomber crews know its going to be tough. For me, the climax comes when one of the rednecks tells his CO, "If its all the same to you, I'd like the 332nd to take me to Berlin". This is the same guy who would not even acknowledge they could fly earlier. While flying bomber escort, the 332nd never lost a single bomber to enemy fire. They were magnificent.
That is the story and it is no secret. I'm not giving away anything not already in the history books. What makes this film so much more than docu-drama are the characterizations of the men who lived the story. They are real American heroes and they are played with greatness. They fought the Germans and they fought their own chain of command and they prevailed.
Bravo!
Proud of these heroes February 8, 2003
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I'm a white 64 year old Air Force veteran. Watching these heroes of WWII in dedicated, valorous performance, who never lost a bomber to the Nazis, brought tears and pride from me for them. For those still on the ground and for those still "On Patrol", thank you!
Outstanding!... But Could've Been Better June 26, 2003
14 out of 18 found this review helpful
I was thrilled to hear about the coming of this movie--then saddened to realize that it was only to be shown as a TV movie. It seemed to me that the saga of these marvelous aviator warriors--treated as they were as second-class citizens by their own government--is one which deserved to be a silver-screen triumph. Our four-engine bombers were being punched out of the sky by the Luftwaffe, but NEVER when the Tuskegee pilots graced their wingtips. Their combat record was nothing short of amazing. The movie was well done, with great story, great actors, great acting. Still, I came away wishing that it might have been better in one respect: During the aerial combat segments, you hear the pilots bantering back and forth loudly over the radios using these rediculous phrases: "Take that, Gerry!" "That's for yo mamma, Gerry!" This was such a great movie; why did they have to dip into corny dialogue during the dog-fighting? It was a flawless procduction till it went hackneyed in those moments.
Aside from that, it was awe-inspiring, moving, even gripping. I just hope the subject is not dropped, and that someday the Tuskegee heroes' story is given even better homage--on the silver screen. This is a far more important story than, say, the sinking of the Titanic.
 good acting and story, poor and inaccurate action scenes December 20, 2002
10 out of 37 found this review helpful
As a WW2 plane buff, I will just comment on air combat and planes.The movie tries but fails not to be a black Top Gun. This means when Lawrence Fishburne arrives, Jerries get shot down. He doesn't stop at planes, he manages to sink a warship with his 6 .50 cals (!). German planes are Spanish used 109s, sporting Rolls Royce engines. In the time of modern special effects, some FW 190s and correct Me 109s are a must. Same for P 51s. We are led to believe that Tuskegee airmen only later switched to P51, the D version. They, however, fly the same type throughout whole movie. German pilots are portrayed as flying idiots, despite their real record will never be matched (over hundred aces with over 100 kills, 2 aces with over 300 kills). In the movie, however, they need 4:1 to make an aerial kill and are quickly chased away by our hero Fishbourne. A nice story, good acting, but definitely dissapointing air combat scenes.
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