Silent classic-the first Oscar for best film "Wings"

Brett 2022-01-20 08:01:23

In addition to Chaplin’s classic silent films, this is the first time I have watched a Hollywood-style silent black-and-white film, and it won the first Oscar for best film statuette-William A. Wellman's "Wing "("Iron Wing Heroic Wind").

Wellman is a legendary director. He was an Air Force pilot during World War I. He directed a wide variety of films. He could grasp various themes such as war, art, suspense, action, and society. "Robin Hood", "The National Enemy", and "The Birth of a Star" are all his works. No wonder the various aerial combat shots in "Wings" are so real, and the mobilization and performance of the war scenes are also very exciting.

Silent film, as a special form in the early stage of film independence, is a chapter that cannot be ignored in film history, and it has many symbolic features with the essential meaning of film. To my surprise, as early as the 1920s and 1930s, Western Hollywood had produced such excellent films. Whether it is narrative, editing, camera use and other technical means, or the connotation and meaning of script writing and theme performance, "Wings" is so rich in surprises and emotions.

The basic story frame of the film is similar to "Pearl Harbor", but I have to admit that "Pearl Harbor" is too naive and superficial compared to the "predecessors" of this silent black and white film. I believe people who like to watch old movies will most likely sigh-the development of modern film and television technology has dilute the most innocent and simple things in movies. Some expressions of human nature and true feelings seem to be concealed by those superficial glitz, becoming impetuous and superficial, not so profound, and even less touching. And this is the most shocking thing.

"Wings" begins with the emotional story of four young people in the American countryside. Both Jack and David like Shivia, the only city girl in town, and Mary, the country girl, has a crush on Jack. The complex Sijiaolian changed because of the war. Both Jack and David joined the army and became pilots, and Mary also signed up for the army and became a transport member. The cruel war eventually led to tragedy. Jack and David, who had been reconciled, exchanged fire in the air because of a misunderstanding, and David finally died.

Love is the main line of the film's narrative, but the theme of performance is by no means limited to this. It also includes many elements such as friendship, war, human nature and the American dream. There are many very cute supporting characters in the film, and the name "Fuzzy" with German descent is one. Whenever he heard someone questioning his loyalty to the United States, he would take off his clothes, show the Stars and Stripes painted on his right arm, and shake his muscles to make the "Stars and Stripes Fly forever". Coupled with the various jokes he made during training, the film is full of humor and humor. And this is one of the collective characteristics of Hollywood films afterwards. In addition, when Mary went to Paris to find Jack, the two officers, one tall and one short, were also very funny. The short thin officer gave orders to the tall, strong soldier, which is one of the contrasting methods of the drama. Tension makes a knowing smile even more. Through all the details, it shows the sincerity and dedication of the director.

As a war-themed film, "Wings" can be regarded as a model for the battlefield, especially the air combat. Although some shots of the film showing air combat seemed simple and clumsy, and the pilots were mostly shot in the same way, the use of many shots and editing methods were definitely pioneering at the time. What is deep in my memory is that the fighter plane flew up and down the clouds, and the performance of the fighter plane's following, attacking, and evasion methods was surprising. In addition, there is a small detail that surprises me. When Jack said goodbye to Mary before joining the army, he ran and looked back and told Mary a few things. The matching words that appear every time you stay in the picture give people the feeling of approaching and reluctant to give up. And the delay caused by this kind of stay and interruption is more touching and memorable than the sound of the same period.

As an early representative of Hollywood films, "Wings" also has obvious Hollywood characteristics-a happy ending and the promotion of the American dream. Tragedy can last forever, so David will eventually be hit by a friend on the battlefield, just as King Oedipus could not escape the trick of fate. But even so, life still has to go on, everything can only be better. And this is exactly the ideology promoted by Hollywood and the American Dream-active struggle must lead to a better life. Therefore, Jack returns home in good shape, and finally sits with Mary to watch the meteors and begins an unknown new life. As for David's family and that lady, Hollywood has no time to worry about it. What they want is the sympathy and response of the common people.

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Extended Reading
  • Gerda 2022-03-23 09:03:08

    Infuse romance into spectacular battles. A camera mounted on an airplane shoots aerial combat. Carefully arranged motifs, ingenious lighting, and camera movement make The Wings a model of Hollywood silent filmmaking. First Oscar Best Picture ever.

  • Brennan 2022-03-17 09:01:08

    3.5 stars, "Do you really don't recognize me?" This is Mary and David's questioning of Jack, but this failed to restore the crazy Jack to his senses-despite the innocent smile at the opening, He has long been a victim of war, a ruthless killing machine. It's a pity that this anti-war element is very cryptic in the film, and it's not even as good as the gay kiss at the end. David's war exhaustion did not unfold at all. The more points are the restoration of the war scenes and the larger scale of performance

Wings quotes

  • Title Card: Life marched at double-quick in those feverish days of '17. Drums beat... bugles called... everywhere feet were hurrying, lips were pressed to lips in parting...

  • Cadet White: Got to go out and do a flock of figure eights before chow.