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Flying Leathernecks
Directed by
Nicholas Ray
Not Rated
1951
1h 42m
War
,
Action
,
and more
6.3
75%
62%
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Major Kirby leads The Wildcats squadron into the historic WWII battle of Guadalcanal.
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Cast of Flying Leathernecks
John Wayne
Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby
Robert Ryan
Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin
Don Taylor
Lt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe
Janis Carter
Joan Kirby
Jay C. Flippen
MSgt. Clancy, Line Chief
William Harrigan
Dr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran
James Bell
Colonel
Barry Kelley
Brigadier General
Maurice Jara
Shorty Vegay
Adam Williams
Lt. Bert Malotke
James Dobson
Lt. Pudge McCabe
Carleton Young
Col. Riley
Michael St. Angel
Capt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer
Brett King
1st Lt. Ernie Stark
Gordon Gebert
Tommy Kirby
Hal Bokar
Barry Brooks
Charles Brunner
Richard Condon
James Craven
Victor Cutler
Gail Davis
Virginia Blithe (uncredited)
Sam Edwards
Fred Graham
MP Sergeant (uncredited)
Chuck Hamilton
Douglas Henderson
Lt. Foster (uncredited)
Milton Kibbee
Indian Affairs Clerk (uncredited)
Mona Knox
Keith Larsen
Harry Lauter
Paul McGuire
Eda Reiss Merin
John Mitchum
Patricia Prest
Noel Reyburn
Hugh Sanders
Lynn Stalmaster
Milburn Stone
Fleet CIC Radio Operator (uncredited)
Harlan Warde
Dick Wessel
Mess Sergeant (uncredited)
Mack Williams
Peter Ortiz
Chuck Courtney
3rd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
Nicholas Ray
Director
Beirne Lay Jr.
Writer
Kenneth Gamet
Writer
Edmund Grainger
Writer / Producer
James Edward Grant
Writer
Flying Leathernecks Ratings & Reviews
Mister Arn
June 6, 2025
“Flying Leathernecks” is a war film steeped in patriotism and command, with John Wayne embodying the classic “tough but right” leader. At its core is the clash between Wayne’s strict discipline and Robert Ryan’s more compassionate approach, a tension that war throws into sharp focus. It’s a by-the-book story of duty, sacrifice, and chain of command, elevated by the leads’ performances and solid aerial combat scenes. If you’re craving old-school valor and no-nonsense leadership, this one delivers.
Film Frenzy
Matt Brunson
Director Nicholas Ray stamped his indelible style on many a movie (In a Lonely Place, Johnny Guitar, Rebel Without a Cause, etc.), but this ain't one of them.
EmanuelLevy.Com
Emanuel Levy
Though John Wayne plays a similar role to that of his other WWII movies (Sands of Iwo Jima), the tough but sensitive commander, this picture is better than the rest due to smooth and crispy direction by Nicholas Ray.
TV Guide
Overlong but action-filled.
Variety
Variety Staff
Marquee pull of John Wayne and Robert Ryan in the action market has been teamed with a story of Marine fighter pilots.
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Dennis Schwartz
This is the most ordinary film Nicholas Ray ever made.
Video-Reviewmaster.com
Steve Crum
Pure WWII jingo and John Wayne. But stylish and heroic nonetheless.
MovieMartyr.com
Jeremy Heilman
The Flying Leathernecks packs a surprising amount of intelligent insight in with its nationalistic rally cry.
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Flying Leathernecks (Trailer 1)
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