The Hunters (1958)

This film is an adaptation of The Hunters, the first novel by Air Force veteran James Salter in 1957. The film strays from the original story most notably by incorporating a self-destructive fighter pilot. Mr. Salter was not pleased and not consulted. It was directed and produced competently by Dick Powell, with a screenplay by Wendell Mayes. The 108-minute film was distributed by Twentieth Century Fox. Paul Sawtell's powerful music score during the escape of three downed American pilots in Communist occupied territory is worth noting. Without a doubt, the CinemaScope aerial sequences by cinematographer Charles G. Clarke, A.S.C. are the highlight of the movie. Because the well-acted drama is another "war picture" with personal conflicts, studio cockpit "flying", and putting on the airbrakes during a love tryst going nowhere. A film that might have stood the test of time; instead, it lost money. Not too surprising after viewing the first quarter of the film.

The film stars Robert Mitchum, Robert Wagner, Lee Philips, May Britt, and Richard Egan. Hard to argue with this line-up, though Britt seems a bit anemic. Yet it probably is written in the script, "your character is supposed to be anemic." You can believe that if you want. Mitchum plays an experienced WWII combat ace. On the opposite end of the spectrum is a young lieutenant, a hep-talking, ego-centric new recruit, Wagner. He is quite good in the role and improves the film from his very first scene with his (now) legendary, exuberant delivery and good looks. The two do not see eye-to-eye on taking orders. Mitchum wants him out of his flight unit, but the Colonel, Egan, overrides his wishes. It turns out to be fortuitous.

Philips is worth singling out with a difficult emotional role as the invented character outside the novel. He plays a promising combat pilot who has only found frustration with his inability to make a mark for himself. His escape is to drown his fears and self-loathing in alcohol consumption. Aware of Mitchum's legendary status, Philips is quite defensive about his lack of confidence (above). But Mitchum has little sympathy for the thirty-year-old and, upon meeting his wife, Britt, senses that she is on the proverbial fence over her husband's evasive maneuvers. Mitch and Britt are joined at the lips on several occasions. Philips suspects as much.

On one hunting mission, Philips is caught trying to outmaneuver a top Communist pilot when his plane is hit. He ejects and lands in a tree, badly injured. Mitchum takes out the enemy plane, spots Philips' chute after a few passes, then finds a clearing to do a risky belly landing. His duty is to rescue his fellow pilot. Wagner was given an order to return to the base, but disobeying is second nature. He spots Chinese military vehicles approaching and hits the deck to strafe the convoy. But his plane is hit by anti-aircraft fire while climbing away. He has to bail. The three make a valiant effort to stay alive in Powell's action-filled climax, making good use of the term. A passing UN convoy saves their lives. Mitchum actually had enough fuel to get back to base. By deliberately destroying his aircraft, a court-martial is a possible outcome. Common sense wins out and, after a light reprimand, Egan dismisses the incident.

The trio is transferred to a military hospital stateside, where Mitchum recovers from a wounded arm, and Philips improves daily. The latter indicates sincere remorse to Britt and vows to be the husband he had intended to be. She seems skeptical. The unscathed Wagner finishes his scenes humorously and with a genuine respect for "his elders."

Notes: The air combat scenes are exciting as North American F-86 Sabre Jets (above) encounter Chinese/North Korean Mig 15s. Except the Migs are gray Republic F-84 Thunderstreaks with the red Chinese stars appropriately placed. The sequence of a one-on-one dogfight is beautifully filmed, as are the rows of contrails from a multi-ship formation of Sabres at altitude. 

As is so often the case in films where relationships take precedence over aircraft continuity, famous stock footage of a North American F-100 Super Sabre crashing substitutes for a pilot's F-86. Rather than editing in this obvious out-of-place clip, let the onlooking cast convey the inevitable crash in facial horror with the provided script. Not sure Powell saw the rushes.