Hell's Angels

Synopsis

Two brothers join the Royal Flying Corps in WWI, clashing over the beautiful Helen while facing a massive Zeppelin raid over London. Roy is honorable, while Monte is a coward who must be stopped from betraying secrets. Howard Hughes’ blockbuster features the most expensive aerial stunts of its time. Famous for introducing Jean Harlow, it culminates in a shocking act of fratricide, blending a melodramatic love triangle with groundbreaking aerial spectacle.

Critique

Howard Hughes’ obsession produced the most expensive film of its time and the most spectacular aerial combat ever filmed. Originally shot as a silent movie, Hughes scrapped most of it to add sound, famously discovering Jean Harlow and her platinum blonde allure in the process. The dogfight sequences, filmed with real planes and pilots at great risk, possess a visceral realism that CGI cannot replicate. It stands as a monument to Hollywood excess and technical ambition, setting the standard for action cinema and launching the era of the blockbuster.

Technical sheet

Director

Howard Hughes

Year

1930

Country

United States

Running time

131 min

Genre

Drama, War, Action

Written by

Joseph Moncure March, Harry Behn, Howard Estabrook, Marshall Neilan

Cinematography

Harry Zech, E. Burton Steene, Dewey Wrigley

Cast

Ben Lyon, James Hall, Jean Harlow, John Darrow, Lucien Prival, Frank Clarke

Production

The Caddo Company

Music

Newly composed original score

Licensing