Powerful

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Lock up your postman hating dog when you watch this, because you will want no distractions in this saga of the trials and tribulations of air mail pilots who go through all sorts of inclement weather and potential disasters to get the mail quickly by plane to where it needs to go. Some are daredevils, and others take their jobs more seriously, but when it comes to looking out for each other, they take their jobs very seriously. A horrific scene in the very beginning of this intense film shows a fiery plane crash where pilot Ralph Bellamy must shoot another pilot dead so he doesn't burn to death in utter agony. The screams of the unseen pilot will ring in your ears for days after seeing this, because indeed, it is one of the most horrifying moments I've seen of a plane crash in film. Bellamy must then tell the man's sister (Gloria Stuart) a lie to ensure her that her brother died instantly to spare her the agony and nightmares of re-living his last moments over and over.Just as this situation is wrapped up, hotshot newcomer Pat O'Brien comes along, showing off his medals and war record, and being an absolute braggart about it all. O'Brien, it appears, had been involved with the wife (Lillian Bond) of another pilot (Russell Hopton) who keeps his wife with him, obviously knowing that on her own, she could get into all sorts of trouble. Veteran pilot Slim Summerville, looking like the sad hound dog he became famous for, is teased by local kids for looking like the eagle on his plane, but for the most part, remains the company's voice of reason, with Bellamy the calm in many storms they face. When Bellamy's plane goes down in the middle of snowy nowhere, it is feared that he will never be found, and just as all hope is lost, O'Brien sets out to find him. You would expect after their rather unfriendly start that Bellamy would exclaim, "No! Not you!" when he is found.The light comedy helps distract the audience from the more horrific moments of this exciting adventure that features some amazing flying photography. In the hands of legendary director John Ford, this is one of the most underrated of his long list of classics, having fallen into obscurity because of his classic westerns and war movies, usually featuring John Wayne. The pre-code elements give this a close to home look, as well as a chance to glimpse the beautiful Gloria Stuart 65 years before she played the 100 year old Rose in 1997's version of "Titanic". All of the actors playing the pilots give interesting dimensions to their characters, with Bellamy quite serious, O'Brien very outrageous, and Summerville underplaying his comedy. The elements of how mail gets to its destination may have changed in the past 86 years, but to look back and see the efforts made years ago makes for a fascinating drama that will leave you hooked.

This is about a band of rugged air mail pilots who risk death to deliver the mail. It seems pretty silly nowadays, but I think people would have accepted the premise in 1931. Ralph Bellamy is excellent playing the heroic John Wayne style hero (Ford made 14 pictures with Wayne). He is a man of extraordinary courage and dedication and few words. Pat O'Brian is quite good as a hot shot, devil-may-care, egotistical flyer. Lacking any real villains, he plays the antagonist in the film. Slim Summerville gives a nice, comical sidekick performance. Besides them, Lilian Bond, as a faithless, bad girl, and Gloria Stuart (Titanic) as a faithful good girl are fun to watch.The flying scenes are not as thrilling as they were in 1931, and it is not a masterpiece, but it is entertaining enough to hold your attention for the 84 minute running time.

Released the same year as "Flesh",this is much more "fordian" than the movie starring Wallace Beery."Airmail contains the seeds of a lot of things which will be developed by the director afterward:manly friendship,sense of duty,struggle against the elements.And most of all,the fact that any man can redeem himself.There are such characters in the script:the first one is the pilot who,in the past,left his plane (with passengers)before the crash;the second is Duke (Pat O'Brien)who falls first under a femme fatale's spell,then leaves her and comes to his mate's rescue,at his own risk.People often say that Ford's cinema is very optimistic.These ones have tunnel vision.There are a lot of deaths in this film:Joe 's and "Dizzy"'s ones are particularly dreadful.The men here are true heroes who give everything:Bellamy's character will face the storm,in spite of his lover's plea."Only angels have wings"(Hawks ,1939)would certainly be influenced by Ford whose interest in planes would not be dried up when he directed "The wings of eagles" in 1957.NB:Would you believe it?Gloria Stewart was famous back in 1997 for playing old Rose Dewitt Bukater!!

A film that belies its age. There are some corny bits of dialogue and cheesy special effects, but Ford created a good low-key drama utilizing an excellent cast. Strong story written partly by Frank Wead. Could not believe this was made in 1932 and at UNIVERSAL!