What is Flyboys about?
It is about how we die, and how we live-including the tale of the Flyboy who escaped capture, a young Navy pilot named George H. W. Bush who would one day become president of the United States. A masterpiece of historical narrative, Flyboys will change forever our understanding of the Pacific war and the very things we fight for.
Who are the actors in Flyboys?
Flyboys is a 2006 war drama film set during World War I, starring James Franco, Martin Henderson, Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker, David Ellison, Abdul Salis, Philip Winchester, and Tyler Labine. It was directed by Tony Bill, a pilot and aviation enthusiast. The screenplay about men in aerial combat was written by Phil...
Why did it take you so long to read Flyboys?
I was really touched by the memories and courage of the flyboys and the struggles of so many people's lives on both sides of the war. It took me awhile to read because sometimes the scenes described were so disturbing that I'd need a break, then I'd later pick up to keep reading.
How did the Japanese know about the Flyboys?
In Japan, some knew, but they had kept their silence. I met Japanese soldiers who knew the Flyboys as prisoners. I heard stories about how they were treated, about their interrogations, about how some of the Flyboys had lived among their captors for weeks. I met soldiers who swapped jokes with them, who slept in the same rooms.
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Is the movie Flyboys historically accurate?
Historical accuracy. Flyboys has been widely criticized for its lack of historical accuracy. The most serious lapse was the blending of the Lafayette Escadrille with the Lafayette Flying Corps, a sub-unit where the real-life Eugene Bullard actually served.
Was Blaine Rawlings a real person?
Frank Luke was named the Class Exemplar of the United States Air Force Academy's class of 2010. In the 2006 movie Flyboys, James Franco's leading character Blaine Rawlings is inspired by Frank Luke.
What is Flyboys based off of?
Flyboys: A True Story of Courage is a 2003 nonfiction book by writer James Bradley, and was a national bestseller in the US. The book details a World War II incident of the execution and cannibalism of five of eight American POWs on the Pacific island of Chichi-jima, one of the Ogasawara Islands (Bonin Islands).
What was Beagle's real history Flyboys?
What was Beagle's real history? He said he robbed a bank with a toy gun.
What happened to the Flyboys?
The records of a top-secret military tribunal were sealed, the lives of the eight Flyboys were erased, and the parents, brothers, sisters, and sweethearts they left behind were left to wonder.
What is the average life expectancy of most pilots?
From these data, we can con- clude that the average age at death of pilots is about 61. The average age at death of the gen- eral male population in the 50-74 age group is approximately 63.
What is the life expectancy of the pilots fighting in World war One?
Aerial Combat In such combat, fighter pilots became “knights of the air” and many were celebrated as heroes. In April 1917, the average life expectancy for new British pilots was eleven days. But some survived and became more experienced, both in fighting and in surviving.
Who was the Black Falcon in ww1?
Eugene BullardEugene Jacques BullardAllegianceFranceService/branchForeign Legion French Air Service French ResistanceYears of service1914–1919, 1940Unit170th French Infantry Regiment 51e Régiment d'Infanterie7 more rows
What does a flyboy mean?
Definition of flyboy : a member of the air force especially : an aircraft pilot.
How did the Rawlings family lose their ranch?
Blaine Rawlings (James Franco) was forced to leave his home in Arizona after the family ranch was foreclosed by the bank. Blaine sees a newsreel of fighter-pilots in France and decides that he has nothing to lose.
Why did the pilots keep a record of their kills in Flyboys?
Why did the pilots keep a record of kills? How do you think the Flyboy's opinion of warfare transformed as they fought? at first they thought it would be fun to fight. As they kept going into battles in the air they were scarred by images of death and gore, and their thoughts quickly changed.
Why did Blaine Rawlings join the Lafayette Escadrille?
In 1916, a small group of Americans join the Lafayette Escadrile: Blaine Rawlings (James Franco) had to leave town after beating the banker who had foreclosed on his ranch; Eugene Skinner (Abdul Salis), an African-American boxer, enlisted because France has treated him better than his own country; William Jensen ( ...
Why did Blaine Rawlings join the Lafayette Escadrille?
In 1916, a small group of Americans join the Lafayette Escadrile: Blaine Rawlings (James Franco) had to leave town after beating the banker who had foreclosed on his ranch; Eugene Skinner (Abdul Salis), an African-American boxer, enlisted because France has treated him better than his own country; William Jensen ( ...
Who was the most famous pilot of the Lafayette Escadrille?
Raoul LufberyGervais Raoul Victor LufberyUnitAéronautique Militaire Escadrille VB.106 Escadrille N.124 (Lafayette Escadrille) Air Service, United States Army 94th Aero SquadronCommands held94th Aero SquadronBattles/warsWorld War IAwardsLégion d'honneur, Médaille militaire, Croix de guerre, British Military Medal8 more rows
Who is Whisky in Flyboys?
Blaine is a cocky flier who stands out and goes toe-to-toe with Reed Cassidy and his mascot Whiskey, a lion. During his flight training, Blaine meets Lucienne (Jennifer Decker), a young French girl who is left to raise her brother's children, and a romance develops.
Who is the Black Falcon in Flyboys?
Gunnar WinberghFlyboys (2006) - Gunnar Winbergh as The Black Falcon - IMDb.
What is the story of Flyboys?
Flyboys, a story of war and horror but also of friendship and honor, tells the story of those men. Over the remote Pacific island of Chichi Jima, nine American flyers-Navy and Marine pilots sent to bomb Japanese communications towers there-were shot down. One of those nine was miraculously rescued by a U.S. Navy submarine.
Where did the Flyboys take place?
Over the remote Pacific island of Chichi Jima, nine American flyers-Navy and Marine pilots sent to bomb Japanese communications towers there-were shot down. Flyboys, a story of war and horror but also of friendship and honor, tells the story of those men.
How many WWII flyboys were shot down?
If you've read much about war crimes, you should. This is ostensibly the story of eight WWII flyboys (and one unknown flyer) who were shot down in attempting to take out the radio communications center on Chichi Jima, a much less notable location than its sister island, Iwo Jima, where most history focuses.
What makes this account which focuses on the flyboys and America's air fleet so compelling?
What makes this account which focuses on the flyboys and America's air fleet so compelling is that Bradley seems to hold nothing back in the telling. He doesn't decide for you...just lays it out in all its ugliness.
How many Flyboys were erased?
The records of a top-secret military tribunal were sealed, the lives of the eight Flyboys were erased, and the parents, brothers, sisters, and sweethearts they left behind were left to wonder. Flyboys reveals for the first time ever the extraordinary story of those men.
When was Flyboys written?
Flyboys —if not for historical reasons, then for philosophical ones—is such a book. Written by Bill Bradley and published in 2003, Flyboys tells the story of eight American Navy pilots who were shot down and captured by the Japanese during World War II.
Who wrote the book Flyboys?
Flyboys—if not for historical reasons, then for philosophical ones—is such a book. Written by Bill Bradley and published in 2003, Flyboys tells the story of eight American Navy pilots who were shot down and captured by the Japa. Every so often a book comes along which goes beyond excellent or informative.
Who made the Flyboys movie?
founder Larry Ellison; both spent more than $60 million of their own money to make and market "Flyboys".
Why is Flyboys criticized?
Flyboys has been widely criticized for its lack of historical accuracy. The most serious lapse was the blending of the Lafayette Escadrille with the Lafayette Flying Corps, a sub-unit where the real-life Eugene Bullard actually served.
What aircraft did the movie Nieuport use?
The Nieuport and Fokker aircraft used in the movie are flying replicas built with new radial engines, due to the unavailability of original-type rotary engines. This detail can be briefly seen in the final combat when the black Fokker is taking off after Rawling's ground attack at the German airfield.
How much did the Flyboys gross?
Flyboys ended up with a total domestic gross of $13,090,620, $4,744,235 internationally, and a total worldwide gross of $17,834,865. Variety named it one of the 10 biggest box office flops of the year.
Who is Rawlings' love interest?
Rawlings's love interest. Abdul Salis as Eugene Skinner (based on Eugene Bullard, the first African-American military pilot): An African-American boxer, who has been accepted as an athlete in France, and is motivated to "pay back" his adopted country.
Who wrote the movie "Aerial Combat"?
The screenplay about men in aerial combat was written by Phil Sears , Blake T. Evans and David S. Ward with the story by Blake T. Evans. Themes of friendship, racial prejudice, revenge and love are also explored in the film.
Who plays Blaine Rawlings?
James Franco as Blaine Rawlings: A Texan faced with the foreclosure of his family ranch in Texas, who decides to enlist after seeing a newsreel of aerial combat in France.
Who is the character Skinner based on?
Skinner is clearly based on Eugene Bullard, a black American who had moved to France to escape racial discrimination, and fought for France, first in the Foreign Legion, and then in the Lafayette Flying Corps. The script acknowledges the rampant racism in the United States, admitting that Skinner was not allowed to fly in the American air force after the United States entered the war.
Who is the commander in the movie "The Weary"?
Jean Reno is good but wasted as the the weary commander, who has seen far too many young men fly off and fail to return.
Why did the pilots wear silk scarves?
Thenault explains that the pilots wore silk scarves because they were always turning their heads looking for the enemy. Cassidy gives them pistols to shoot themselves in case their planes catch fire, since they don’t have parachutes.
What does a rebellious loner learn?
A rebellious loner learns to lead; war threatens to separate young lovers; a pilot must conquer his fear; and a racist learns to respect a black comrade. There is a even good German ace and a bad German ace. At least the racist is a rich easterner, not a southern redneck, which is a nice change of pace.
Is Flyboys a bad boy?
Flyboys was made early in James Franco’s career, and he was not ready to play the lead. Nor is he believable as a bad boy. However, the writers did their best to give Rawlins as many opportunities to be heroic as possible. Learning that the Germans have penetrated French territory, Rawlings makes a nighttime flight to evacuate Lucienne, who had chosen to be rescued by the hero, instead of simply leaving with the rest of the refugees. The escape from the Germans who have taken over her house is probably supposed to be thrilling, but it is merely blah.
Was Eugene Skinner based on a true story?
I am a little disappointed in the way the film tried to make it seem that it was based on fact. Eugene Skinner was actually based on Eugene Bollard, one of the first black military pilots and first African-American pilot. There was never a Eugene Skinner and the real Eugene Bollard never flew for the US Postal Service.
Is the Lafayette Escadrille real?
To be honest, the film is not about the real Lafayette Escadrille, it is just a generic WWI aviation film that happens to feature Americans fighting for France. Cassidy is the squadron commanding officer because every single other veteran is dead, which is ridiculous. It gets worse. Meeting the new recruits for the first time, the veteran Cassidy informs them that their life expectancy is three to six weeks. The Lafayette Escadrille took losses, but it was not the Suicide Squad. I suspect that there are no other experienced pilots in the squadron other than Cassidy because the script focuses on the young stars, and experienced pilots would have distracted from the young heroes’ story.
Overview
Flyboys: A True Story of Courage is a 2003 nonfiction book by writer James Bradley, and was a national bestseller in the US. The book details a World War II incident of the execution and cannibalism of five of eight American POWs on the Pacific island of Chichi-jima, one of the Ogasawara Islands (Bonin Islands). This event is now known as the Chichijima incident.
Plot
Cast
Flyboys is a 2006 war drama film set during World War I, starring James Franco, Martin Henderson, Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker, David Ellison, Abdul Salis, Philip Winchester, and Tyler Labine. It was directed by Tony Bill, a pilot and aviation enthusiast. The screenplay about men in aerial combat was written by Phil Sears, Blake T. Evans and David S. Ward with the story by Blake T. Evans. Themes of …
Production
In 1916, a group of young Americans go to France to serve in the French Air Service, L'Aéronautique militaire during World War I. The recruits are under the command of French Captain Georges Thenault, with veteran flying ace Reed Cassidy as their mentor.
The pilots struggle with the demands of flying, preparing for the aerial dogfights that dominate missions to the front lines. Pilot Blaine Rawlings meets a young woman named Lucienne after hi…
Historical accuracy
• James Franco as Blaine Rawlings: A Texan faced with the foreclosure of his family ranch in Texas, who decides to enlist after seeing a newsreel of aerial combat in France.
• Martin Henderson as Reed Cassidy (a character based upon the real Raoul Lufbery, evident in the references to the squadron mascot, Whiskey the lion): A fellow American, womanizer, traumatized ace pilot, and the pilots' mentor.
Release
In writing the original drafts that formed the basis of the final screenplay, Tony Bill made an effort to incorporate the real-life adventures of a number of American World War I expatriates who served in both the Lafayette Escadrille and the Lafayette Flying Corps, although pseudonyms were used throughout.
The casting of Franco in an action feature at the time was considered a "stepping stone" to his ri…
See also
Flyboys has been widely criticized for its lack of historical accuracy. The most serious lapse was the blending of the Lafayette Escadrille with the Lafayette Flying Corps, a sub-unit where the real-life Eugene Bullard actually served.
Various details of World War I fighter aircraft technology shown in the film were inaccurate. For example, the aircraft engines in the CGI scenes are pictured as not moving. On the rotary engines used …
External links
Flyboys received mixed to negative reviews, based on the hackneyed dialogue and inconsistency of the plot. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 33% based on 127 reviews, with an average rating of 4.91/10. The site's critics' consensus reads: "A poorly scripted history-rewriting exercise with mediocre acting and unconvincing CGI battle scenes." On Metacritic, the film has an aggregated score of 47 out of 100 based on 22 reviews, indicating "mi…