Red Tails opens in Italy, in 1944, four years after the historic establishment of the African-American Tuskegee Experiment. The Tuskegee programme exclusively trained African-American men in all aspects of the US air force from mechanical crews all the way to fighter pilots. Prior to the establishment of this programme in 1940 it was believed that African-Americans did not have the skills to operate and fly planes. The pioneers of this programme were insistent upon breaking down these racist stereotypes. Still labouring under segregation and discrimination these American pilots wanted to serve their country during World War II and the film concentrates on a squad frustrated by not being given front line fighting duties when stationed in Italy. The 'Red Tails' nickname came from the Tuskegee pilots planes tails being distinctively painted a bright red colour to distinguish them in the sky.
The film cuts between impressive aerial scenes and Col. Bullard's (Terence Howard) calm but determined efforts to over come prejudice amongst the white air force elite officers. The main goal for Col. Bullard is to have the Tuskegee pilot's take on important missions such as protecting the large bomber planes destroying Berlin during the Allied offensive against Germany.
The real life story behind Red Tails is a fascinating one and it's a pity the first big screen telling comes with such a lacklustre script far closer to a George Lucas Star Wars Prequel screenplay (Lucas is executive producer) than for example, the Robert Rodat Saving Private Ryan (1998), which at least provided emotional wallop along with the schmaltz.
Neither is the film interested in seeing German soldiers as anything more sophisticated than 'the Baddies.' Racism within the US Army is explored though with dialogue again more worthy of a Star Wars Prequel, which seems to immediately result in the throwing off of generations-long racist attitudes. This might be the case in a 'Galaxy far far away' but a little too skimming in regards to the on going inequality within American society at the time.
The cast do their best whilst shouldering the script and poor direction. David Oyelowo is the standout performer. Introducing the film at the recent London screening, Oyelowo pointed out the difficulty of bringing a film with a mostly black cast to release when it does not include Denzel Washington or Sidney Poitier. It is well known that Lucas had to wait for years to get this project off the ground due to the cast being made up mostly of African-Americans. Though it has beautifully shot aerial dog fights, it is a pity that the courageous, ground-breaking story of the Tuskegee pilots was not given the screenplay it so obviously merits.
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UK Release Date: 6th June
