Lafayette Escadrille

Lafayette Escadrille is a 1958 engaging war film that spotlights the bravery and audacity of a group of American fighter pilots during World War I, developed under the masterful direction of William Wellman, a veteran himself.

Tab Hunter stars as Thad Walker, a well-to-do young man who seeks to escape his troubled past in America by enlisting in the French military during World War I. It doesn't take long to realize that he is not alone. Many like him, all with their own reasons and stories, travel to France in search of a purpose, adventure, or redemption.

Among these volunteers, a group forms which goes on to become the famous Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron comprised of young American pilots fighting under the French flag before the United States entered the war. Clint Eastwood, in one of his early film roles, is cast as George Moseley, one of the members of this daring squadron. He delivers a top-tier performance, hinting at the stellar career that awaits him.

Though a war film, Lafayette Escadrille is not merely confined to battle scenes and combat tactics. The film is also a tale of romance, personal growth, and camaraderie. Thad Walker's character takes center stage not only in high altitude dogfights but also in the landlocked setting of Paris. His romantic escapade with a French girl, Renée (skillfully portrayed by Etchika Choureau), offers a romantic counterpoint to the war sequences.

The romance between Thad and Renée is beautifully depicted, highlighting the stark contrast between the harsh realities of war and the tranquility of love. Renée becomes Thad’s refuge from the war, embodying the peace, solace, and serene beauty that seems so distant from the hostile air skirmishes that the Lafayette Escadrille engages in.

On the battlefield, the young pilots of the Escadrille navigate the treacherous skies in their signature Nieuport fighters, figments of antiquated technology by modern standards but formidable war machines of their era. These skirmishes are brilliantly shot, capturing the wrought danger and unpredictability of World War I aerial combat. These scenes blend seamlessly with the narrative, throwing into sharp relief the dangerous lives of these volunteers, suspended between life and death in the cloudy European theatre.

Wellman's direction is exceptional throughout, understandingly so, as he was a member of the actual Lafayette Escadrille during World War I. He recreates the harrowing yet euphoric reality of war with a deftness that only someone who has personally experienced it could manage.

At the heart of the film is the evolution of Thad Walker. Thad’s journey from an uncertain young man skating on the thin ice of legality to a hero who is ready to sacrifice everything for his friends and country is compelling and filled with emotion. Tab Hunter delivers an admirable performance in bringing this complex character to life, skillfully navigating Thad’s trials and tribulations.

The film's supporting cast, including David Janssen, Brett Halsey, Tom Laughlin, Paul Comi and Jody McCrea, help build a believable world around Thad, each having their own significant moments in the film, further accentuating the verisimilitude of the brave and relentless Lafayette Escadrille.

While the sunlit Parisian locales provide a stark contrast to the somber, war-ravaged battlegrounds, both are captured magnificently to reflect their respective moods. The film’s cinematography impresses with its lifelike recreation of the period, from the vintage uniforms and aircraft to the picturesque streets of Paris.

Finally, the movie’s score, composed by Leonard Rosenman, subtly accentuates the tension, romance, and grandeur that are signature elements of the film, serving as an enriching background for the vivid tableau of the period.

In all, Lafayette Escadrille is a triumphant blend of war, romance, and personal growth amidst the challenges of an epoch defined by conflict, making it not only an engaging war film but a timeless narrative of human resilience and courage. Through a delicate blend of well-choreographed air battles, stirring romance, and well-formulated character development, the film successfully encapsulates the spirit of the war and the daring men that constituted the Lafayette Escadrille.