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Wings

Play trailer Poster for Wings PG-13 1927 2h 22m War History Drama Action Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Wings is the first film to win the Academy Award® for Best Picture. Featuring a meticulous restoration and a newly recorded soundtrack based on the original score. This timeless story of love and loss follows two men who go to war and the girl they leave behind. Popular Twenties "It" girl Clara Bow stars with Richard Arlen, Charles "Buddy" Rogers and Gary Cooper in a legendary cameo appearance.
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Wings

Wings

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Critics Consensus

Subsequent war epics may have borrowed heavily from the original Best Picture winner, but they've all lacked Clara Bow's luminous screen presence and William Wellman's deft direction.

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Critics Reviews

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Wilella Waldorf New York Post 02/10/2021
A great deal of sentimental and weepy material is thrust into the tale here and there, along with long stretches of what may be termed for want of a better designation, "just war." Go to Full Review Bernice Foy Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com 02/09/2021
Charles Rogers and Richard Arlen share honors as stars, with Clara Row as the feminine lead. While the picture is rather long, it holds the interest. Go to Full Review Edwin Schallert Los Angeles Times 02/09/2021
Wings is unquestionably the dazzle and pyrotechnics of the screen fulfilled in a new sphere, and teems with twentieth century timeliness. Go to Full Review Carson Timar ClapperCast Jan 15
We are so lucky that a film like Wings gets to stand as the first Best Picture winner. Wellman's ambition is on full display as he makes a thrilling and haunting look at war and combat. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 01/31/2025
2.5/4
...a watchable yet palpably padded-out war picture... Go to Full Review Pare Lorentz Judge 10/26/2023
You will get a real feeling of flying when you see Wings... Because of this and because it has the best photography I have ever seen in an American motion picture, Wings ranks as a superior movie. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bradley B. @album Jan 15 I enjoyed the plot and the mix of WWI filming. See more Christian K @ckacar Dec 26 Decent technical filmmaking with miniatures primarily used for the combat sequences. The lead actress, Clara Bow, gave a very striking and expressive performance. Its a pretty weak portrayal of a wartime love story, overall. The music really got to me though, 140 minutes is too long to listen to the same 1 minute music loop for the entire duration, so I had to watch the 2nd half on mute. See more Vicky T Sep 4 I just watched this on TCM. PAramount restored it with a score, and the music was good. Also cool to see young Gary Cooper See more mark g @Mark_Alan_G. Sep 4 As a US History teacher and historian it actually took me many many years before seeing this film. It was made in 1927, so comparison to modern films is not possible. Silent films were unique and not made for everyone. However, the filmmaking here is incredible. This was a massive undertaking, with incredible shots and footage, stuff that would cost hundreds of millions to make today. The strength of the film is obviously the action and war scenes, beautiful and captivating. The one thing that I found curious was how Clara Bow was really billed as the star, she actually has a minor supporting role. See more Jace T @CineChamber Aug 16 I am actually quite impressed and shocked how good this movie is. It is crazy that this movie is nearly 100 years old. We sure have come a long way in film making since then. There are some beautifully shot scenes on display here. Some of the run time is a little long for things, but you must forgive it for the age of this film. The only thing that really wore on me was the same song being played over and over for the entire 2.5 hour run time, even during times when it should not be feeling as upbeat as the music gives. The story being told here is actually a beautiful and tragic one. A true masterpiece for the era. See more Steve M. @Steve32819 May 11 Great movie with astounding effects that stand up even today. See more Read all reviews
Wings

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Cast & Crew

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William A. Wellman

Director

Harry D'Abbadie D'Arrast

Director

Clara Bow

Mary Preston

Charles "Buddy" Rogers

Jack Powell

Richard Arlen

David Armstrong

Jobyna Ralston

Sylvia Lewis

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Wings

Wings (1927) A scene from the film WINGS. A scene from the film WINGS. A scene from the film WINGS. A scene from the film WINGS. Wings (1927) Wings (1927) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Wings is the first film to win the Academy Award® for Best Picture. Featuring a meticulous restoration and a newly recorded soundtrack based on the original score. This timeless story of love and loss follows two men who go to war and the girl they leave behind. Popular Twenties "It" girl Clara Bow stars with Richard Arlen, Charles "Buddy" Rogers and Gary Cooper in a legendary cameo appearance.
Director
William A. Wellman, Harry D'Abbadie D'Arrast
Producer
Kevin Brownlow, Jesse L. Lasky, Adolph Zukor
Screenwriter
John Monk Saunders, Hope Loring, Louis D. Lighton, Julian Johnson
Production Co
Paramount
Rating
PG-13 (War Violence)
Genre
War, History, Drama, Action, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 15, 1927, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
May 16, 2012
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 20, 2012
Runtime
2h 22m
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