Something of an epic World War 1 movie over 2 hours 20, notable for its elaborate and exciting aerial sequences and impressive ground combat footage. Charles Rogers thinks he loves Jobyna Ralston but she really loves Richard Arlen. Rogers' girl-next-door Clara Bow is nuts about him but he doesn't realise. The rivals go to war but end up buddies; thus the ending is suitably ironic when Rogers kills his friend, who's stolen a German aircraft (cue an early version of a plane flying into a house).
Amusing scene in Paris where Rogers is so drunk he doesn't recognise Bow; then she is sacked when military police think they're having a thing - most unfair!
The restoration is great - the flames from the aircraft have been coloured giving the battle scenes an extra vividity (if that is a word). Spectacular scenes of destruction e.g. bombings, with synchronized sound.
Gary Cooper has a brief but telling appearance; Roscoe Karns features briefly.
It was the fist time I'd encountered the 'It Girl' Clara Bow - found her a bit OTT.
Wellman himself has been a WW1 flyer so he knew his stuff. DP Harry Perry had dozens of cameramen, Russell Harlan among them.
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