Lafayette Escadrille

Falls flat even if a war film close to the director's heart.

The Americans who flew for France in the 1914-18 war are poorly memorialized in this trashy Hollywood drama.

Not one that'll live long in the memory. <em>'Lafayette Escadrille'</em> is mildly watchable but I can't really recall anything that occurred across the 90 minutes or so. The potential-filled story isn't all that interestingly portrayed and the acting is, while nothing bad, just very plain, pardon the pun, as no-one stands out. This is one of Clint Eastwood's early credited roles, though he may as well have been uncredited to be honest - very much seen more than he is heard, though <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Escadrille_(film)#:~:text=In%20casting%2C%20Wellman%20wanted%20Paul%20Newman%20and%20Clint%20Eastwood%20as%20the%20leads%3B%20studio%20head%20Jack%20L.%20Warner%20refused%2C%20and%20substituted%20teen%20idol%20Tab%20Hunter%20and%20David%20Janssen%2C%20with%20Eastwood%20moved%20to%20a%20minor%20role.">apparently</a> could've been lead if director William A. Wellman had his way. Tab Hunter is the lead here, but the only thing I'll take from him here is that he kinda looks like MMA fighter <a href="https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/171377-ian-garry">Ian Garry</a>... just me that sees that? Probably. Could be worth a watch for some of the neat aerial sequences near the end, but otherwise this 1958 flick isn't one I'd recommend.

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