Only Angels Have Wings (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] [2016]

Howard Hawks’ 1939 film is a real tour-de-force in film-making or, perhaps that should be 'movie’-making (a personally hated term!), since it is difficult to imagine (for the period) such a roller-coaster ride of cinema emanating from anywhere other than Hollywood. The film’s melding of genres – here, essentially, comedy, drama and romance – is typically Hawksian, notably underpinned by the key contribution of Jules Furthman’s memorably sharp screenplay, and provides one of the most 'perfect’ balances of these genre elements (probably, for me, alongside Rio Bravo, with The Big Sleep not far behind) in Hawks’ oeuvre. The exotic tale of the daring exploits of a group of 'mail delivery fliers’ in the (fictional) South American outpost of Barranca, under the tutelage of Cary Grant’s fearless obsessive and reluctant romantic, Geoff Carter, is perhaps best remembered for the film’s spectacular flying stunts, events based on Hawks’ own experience as a pilot in the US Army Signal Corps and for which the efforts of Joseph Walker (Black-and-white Cinematography) and Roy Davidson (Special Effects) were recognised by the Academy. However, for me at least, even more impressive is Hawks and Furthman’s portrayal of the male bonding (a perennial Hawks theme, of course) of Carter’s pilots, whose codes of honour seemingly have no place for sentiment (a characteristic whose depiction Hawks goes out of his way, in the main, to avoid), although the film-makers’ feel for humanity is always there beneath the surface.As is noted in the extras on the excellent Criterion Collection Blu-ray of the film – in critic David Thomson’s interview and Michael Sragow’s essay – Hawks’ film is also notable (probably alongside Hitchcock’s Notorious) for being one of the starkest portrayals of the darker side of Grant the 'serious’ actor. Whether it be Carter’s (alongside his pilots’) efforts to blank out tragedy for the sake of ‘the job’ (professionalism) or the reflective moments as he inspects the paltry ('Not much to show’) effects of a deceased co-worker, Grant is spot on here. On the other hand, as Carter initially teases and fends off the increasing attentions of Jean Arthur’s travelling entertainer, Bonnie Lee, or downplays past liaisons with Rita Hayworth’s (in her first major role) Judy, we’re back in the (often comedic) gender role play territory Hawks so impressively masters in the likes of His Girl Friday and To Have And Have Not. Arthur is worthy of a special mention since she purportedly did not see eye to eye with Hawks during the making of the film (the director wanting to foist on her his 'female archetype’). Despite this, Arthur acquits herself admirably, entirely convincing as the nervy Bonnie – her near-final scene as the dithering romantic, taking Sparks’ (Victor Kilian) advice, is superb. Hawks’ cast is impressive throughout, in fact, with Thomas Mitchell’s 'best buddy’ to Carter, 'Kid’ Dabb, and Richard Barthelmess’ returning 'guilty man’, Bat MacPherson, particularly memorable – the pair eventually being pitched together in the film’s hair-raising denouement flight, the resolution of which gets right to the heart of the stoic humanity exemplified by the film.A final word on Hawks the film-maker. In Only Angels Have Wings, the film-makers essentially ditch the notion of a single linear narrative in favour of a series of superb (dramatic and entertaining) set-pieces, which nevertheless drive forward the film’s central theme of the battle between the male of the species’ thirst for excitement vs. the more considered instinct for humanity. In the process, Hawks demonstrates an almost unique ability for managing dynamic ensemble scenes – peppered with Furthman’s rapid-fire, often overlapping dialogue (a trait Hawks would perfect in His Girl Friday) – as well as the versatility to include some memorable musical numbers to boot. Equally, the man was not averse to using inventive cinematic devices, here a double-headed coin, used alternately to determine Kid and Bonnie’s fate, plus the accidental gun-shot inflicted on Carter. The film is packed with details like this, making it a must watch for any film-buff worthy of the description!

A 'western' or war film set in a mythical studio South America with the cowboys and soldiers replaced by aviators. Male cameradie faced with the everyday presence of death and forced to adapt to female intrusion.It annoys me that whenever male friendship appears in films it is always thought to have a hidden homo-erotic element when it may well be, and usually is, a platonic brotherly love. Women are allowed to have same sex friendships without any ulterior motives. Love has many forms. It isn't always about sex.The subject matter reminded me of Antoine de St.-Exupery's 'Night Flight' and 'Southern Mail'. Whereas St.-Exupery concentrated on the existential solitude of the flyer, Hawks is more interested in the inter-personal relationships of the ground crew waiting at base.The 'Hitchcockian' hard boiled Cary Grant is superb, as almost always, but this is very much an ensemble piece and everyone, without exception, rises magnificently to the challenge.Unlike mose directors, Hawks knew about flying, war and death and this may well be his most personal and heartfelt masterpiece.

This is another excellent film directed by Howard Hawks. Shot in glorious black and white in 1939, it's a visual treat and very atmospheric. The film also features some sparkling dialogue. As with many of Hawks's films, the theme of male bonding and the strong-willed women who test it is very much to the fore. It's also interesting to see Cary Grant in a more commanding role. In this film he's not quite the suave, elegant and debonair Cary Grant we know from his famous screwball comedies and Hitchcock films. 'Only Angels Have Wings' is another classic to add to the Hawks canon.

The 4K restoration is a slight improvement on the already existing DVD, but regardless this is such a great movie it is worth upgrading anytime and everytime someone pays attention to it. Classic Hawks. Lovely disc.

Brilliant film, and good quality product with extras. No issues with playback.

in good condition

This is one of the great films of the twentieth century. It features almost non-stop dialogue and unlike more recent movies you can hear every word without resorting to subtitles. After a couple of hours you get to know each of the characters and what makes them tick. You start to care about them. You want them to survive another day so they can continue eating, drinking and wisecracking. You become part of the group like in "Rio Bravo", "The Big Sky" and "Red River". Director/Producer Howard Hawks is a master of making movies look simple. No flashy cutting, no special effects just great dialogue and fascinating relationships. If this were in French you might think it was an Eric Rohmer film. This Blu-Ray is just about perfect with pin sharp black and white photography and no distortion on sound when the occasional plane lands, or crashes. And as a bonus Rita Hayworth looking like a million dollars !

Cary Grant plays Geoff Carter, the boss of a run down airline charter company based in a remote South American town. Pilots risk their lives to get the cargo, mainly mailbags to their destination. When Bonnie Lee, played by Jean Arthur becomes stranded there, things start to change.This film was directed by Howard Hawks, if you like old black & white films, then you may enjoy this. One of the first releases by Criterion in the UK, it was previously unreleased on blu ray in the UK, and the dvd by another distributor, was long deleted. Picture Quality for a film of this age is excellent, and if all of Criterion's releases are of this quality, then they should do well.Picture Quality is very good, The film has been transferred in it's original aspect ratio of 1.37:1. Sound is in the original mono.