Red tails [videorecording]
June 13, 2012 Leave a comment
Review by: Lisa
Title: Red tails [videorecording]
Starring: Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds
Collection: Movies
Academy Award Winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and Academy Award Nominee Terrence Howard lead a powerful ensemble cast in this high-flying epic inspired by the real-life adventures of the first African-American combat unit to serve in World War II. Italy, 1944. As the war takes its toll on Allied forces in Europe, a squadron of black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen are finally given the chance to prove themselves in the sky…even as they battle discrimination on the ground. Featuring jaw-dropping aerial action and thrilling special effects, Red Tails is a breathtaking tribute to the unsung heroes who rose above extraordinary challenges and ultimately soared into history.
Lucas worked for over 25 years to make the movie, and researched it by speaking to members of the Tuskegee Airmen over the course of years. I remember watching Jon Stewart interview George Lucas on making of this film when it was first released. Did you know that Lucas covered the cost of production with his own money, and provided a further $35 million for distribution? In the interview Lucas revealed that the long delay in the production of the film was because major film studios balked at financing and marketing a film with an “all-black” cast and “no major white roles.” He went on to explain that studios receive “60% of their profit” from overseas, and the studios feel there is no market there for films with all-black casts. [Wikipedia] Considering the film was independently financed, the cast and crew should be commended for the part they played in bringing an important story of World War II to life on screen.
