Search - A Wing and a Prayer on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1944 DVD Release: 05/21/2002 Format: DVD - Black and White Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Action, Adventure, Combat Films

Former president Ronald Reagan may have genuinely believed that he was referring to a real-life act of selfless wartime bravery whenever repeating his "We'll bring this one down together" anecdote. In fact, he was merely quoting a scene from the above-average World War 2 drama A Wing and a Prayer. The setting is an American aircraft carrier, overseen by tough, unserving flight officer Don Ameche. When casualties begin piling up, the pilots blame Ameche, accusing him of being an indiscriminate butcher. Only when the tide of battle turns in favor of the Allies do the pilots realize that Ameche has been right all along. Director Henry Hathaway spent several weeks aboard an actual aircraft carrier, filming genuine combat scenes. Many of these authentic sequences appear as background footage in A Wing and a Prayer; sometimes the process work is convincing, sometimes it isn't, but please remember that this film was made long, long before the advent of computer technology. Dana Andrews, William Eythe, Richard Jaeckel, Harry Morgan (billed as 'Henry Morgan' here), Richard Crane, Glenn Langan, Reed Hadley and Bob Bailey are among the ready, willing and able Fox contractees appearing in A Wing and a Prayer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Don Ameche - Flight Cmdr. Bingo Harper
Dana Andrews - Sqdn. Cmdr. Edward Moulton
William Eythe - Hallam 'Oscar' Scott
Charles Bickford - Capt. Waddell
Cedric Hardwicke - Admiral

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1944, this tough as leather WWII actioner is notable for Don Ameche's strong performance, as well as its skillful use of real combat footage. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment's disc presents this gripping film in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 (full frame), but it also gives the viewer the option to watch the film with its original English mono soundtrack or a newly remastered stereo track, for those who dig change. Both tracks are fine, though the stereo track does make a difference during the dogfight scenes. Both tracks are fine, though. The black-and-white picture is stable throughout and has been given a nice overhaul. The disc also includes the film's original theatrical trailer, as well as trailers for other Fox entries in its "War Classics" series. A French mono soundtrack is also available and English and Spanish subtitles have also been provided. A solid disc overall. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide