I love this movie so much

Let's be realistic.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Fredric March gives an outstanding performance as an Army pilot officer dealing with the issues of mortality as he deals with constant death surrounding him. Five of his men are killed in front of his eyes in a short period of time and when the next one comes in, it is Cary Grant, whom he had earlier fought with. March quietly keeps everything in, only managing a smile thank to the comic antics of the bombastic Jack Oakie.One long sequence has March finding comfort thanks to a glamorous stranger he meets, played by Carole Lombard. Intent on obviously seducing him, she provides a much needed shoulder as she realizes the impact that the war has had on him.More war drama than action, this gives a private peak into the inner turmoils that men face while fighting. Even killing an enemy can lead to extreme psychological issues as the impact takes affect.Powerful and profound, this is part anti-war and part pro as it deals with both sides of the situation. One of the best World War I dramas, this ranks up there with "Wings" and "All Quiet on the Western Front" although its short running time indicates a B film. It definitely ranks among the A's. Grant is supporting but does get a characterization that is strongly shifted by the circumstances surrounding him.

THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK (Paramount, 1933), directed by Stuart Walker, is not a national geographic story about birds in the wilds of the forest but a vivid account of three men (two Americans, one British) from different walks of life serving in the British Flying Corps during the World War. Featuring Fredric March, Cary Grant and Jack Oakie as the three men in question, the plot revolves mostly on the March character as he slowly goes through mental strain.Without wasting much time in plot development on these three central characters, their backgrounds are depicted briefly during the opening credits, leaving some indication to the audience to whom there are: Fredric March as Jerry Young riding his horse in a polo match, indicating he comes from a rich family; Cary Grant as Henry Crocker as foreman in a construction site socking one of his workers for speaking up to him, indicating he's a common man with a quick temper; and Jack Oakie as Mike Richards, a happy-go-lucky fellow shown eating a sandwich in a diner, indicating a simple-natured fellow good for a lot of laughs. Before the story gets underway in France, Richards is seen going on a scale to get his weight, then taking a card popping from the machine that reads, "You will soon be facing great danger." Next scene finds Mike in uniform, laughing loudly while reading the book, "A Night in the Turkish Harem." Jerry Young, an ace pilot, chooses several men to accompany him in England. He excludes Crocker, whom he doesn't like. Because of this decision, Crocker socks him in the jaw. After losing five observers within two months, Young not only becomes embittered by seeing these young men die in action before his eyes, but soon acquires Crocker as his new ace fly together on several missions. Regardless of their bitter disagreements, especially after Crocker kills a helpless enemy on a parachute, it is Crocker who sees the strain Young is going through, especially at night while talking in his sleep during one of his recurring nightmares. Realizing his emotional state, Crocker recommends for flight commander Major Dunham (Sir Guy Standing) to send Jerry on a ten-day leave, which Jerry does take. While in England, Jerry encounters an attractive blonde (Carole Lombard) at a social function who takes an interest in him. Upon his return to battle, things become seriously worse for Jerry, especially after the death of Richards in one of his air missions and witnessing John Stevens (Kenneth Howell) plunging to his death by falling out of the airplane without a parachute.Based on a story by John Monk Saunders, one who specialized in war related themes, notably WINGS (Paramount, 1927), the first Best Picture Academy Award winner, THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK is one to give the impression of being more inspired by another aviation war drama, THE DAWN PATROL (Warner Brothers, 1930) starring Richard Barthelmess and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., where two men in the same corps with their dislike one another teaming up on flying missions. Quite underrated and leisurely paced, THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK offers more than just an all-star cast but a realistic view on the mental breakdown of a war hero during his day-to-day air battle of aerial combat with the enemy and himself. Aside from many medals, bar drinks with his buddies and hero worshiping by others, the Jerry Young character gets to tell the new recruits, "You're fighting for humanity and for the preservation of civilization." Quite relevant today as it was then, THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK adds more through its narrative in both speech and in actions.One of the big surprises in THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK is the casting of fourth billed Carole Lombard. Her role, coming 45 minutes into the start of the movie, in what's basically an extended eight minute cameo. First shown in white gown in a drawing room observing one of the guests (March) who tells the son (Douglas Scott) of the hostess (Virginia Hammond) the true meaning of war, she then follows Young into a cab where the two meet, and soon get acquainted while sitting on the bench in the park. Lombard's character, in expensive looking fur coat, bears no name and several extreme close-ups during the park sequence. Following this scene, she's never seen or heard about again. Cary Grant, years before specializing best in romantic comedies, shows his dramatic skills in several key scenes. In 1936, Grant was also featured in another World War I story, that being SUZY (MGM) starring Jean Harlow. Interestingly, both films come to similar conclusions.Commonly broadcast on commercial television before slowly fazed out by the 1970s, THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK had its share of cable TV exposure in later years, notably on American Movie Classics (1992-93) before making its Turner Classic Movies premiere October 20, 2008. Distributed to home video in 1997 by MCA which includes original theatrical trailer, the video box to THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK features Cary Grant and Carole Lombard rather than the leading performer, Fredric March. While the aforementioned DAWN PATROL was remade by Warners in 1938 with Errol Flynn and David Niven, THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK was not, contrary to the same title used for the Paramount's 1950 production, a western starring John Payne, Rhonda Fleming and Dennis O'Keefe. That's where the similarity ends. Not as well known as some other aviation dramas, THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK makes fine viewing, especially for Memorial or Veteran's Day. (**1/2)

As the others have said, this surprisingly turned out to be a realistic, antiwar movie. Frederick March gives an Academy-Award-worthy performance as the jaded fighter pilot, and Cary Grant gives a good performance as his rival. Since Hollywood made more pro-war movies than isolationist movies up to Pearl Harbor, this one was a bit startling, judging from its era and its title. Perhaps that is why it has not received its due rewards. Those who have experienced war usually try to prevent its recurrence, and the grim reality of its death and destruction are shown in this film about as graphically as they were allowed at that time. I have heard that even Germany's greatest ace in WWI, the "Red Baron," was very disillusioned when he went home the last time before his death. When his mother asked him who his friends were in a photo, he told her sadly when each of them had been killed. War is only glamorous from a great distance and in games. "The Eagle And The Hawk" captures the real essence of so many wasted lives in the Lost Generation and the destruction of prewar civilization.

Bought my own copy. A film in the old style with many faults, but for someone who enjoys flying fliks, especially World War One aviation, it is great. Dialogue is terrible, the acting bad, plot predictable, but it has airplanes and derring-do in the air. All the "Dawn Patrol" cliches are there. Good fun and well worth seeing...if you like this sort of thing. I do.cheers, Boom