Lafayette Escadrille (1958)
Lafayette Escadrille (1958) is an American war film produced by Warner Bros. It marks the final work of director William A. Wellman, who also wrote the original story. The film follows Thad Walker, a privileged youth from Boston who flees to France during World War I after getting into legal trouble. In Paris, he meets fellow Americans ‘Duke’ Sinclair, Dave Putnam, Tom Hitchcock, and Bill Wellman at a bar where they hear about an exciting new opportunity: joining the recently formed Lafayette Escadrille and becoming volunteer pilots for France. The group enlists and trains together before ultimately becoming combat pilots.
While not on duty, Walker meets and falls for Renée Beaulieu, a common streetwalker with a softer side. In order to be with his American lover, Renée gives up her previous profession and finds a new job. Being raised by an abusive father has left Walker resentful towards authority figures. When a haughty French officer strikes him for not understanding orders in French, Walker retaliates and knocks the officer down – a grave offense. Before he can face punishment, his friends help him escape the camp. He then seeks refuge in Paris at his girlfriend’s apartment. While his comrades continue their training, Walker works for the Madam in hopes of saving enough money to flee to South America with Renée.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Tab HunterThad Walker  Etchika ChoureauRenée Beaulieu  Marcel DalioDrill Sergeant  David JanssenDuke Sinclair  Paul FixU.S. General  Clint EastwoodGeorge Moseley |
Lafayette Escadrille (1958) is an American war film produced by Warner Bros. It marks the final work of director William A. Wellman, who also wrote the original story. The film follows Thad Walker, a privileged youth from Boston who flees to France during World War I after getting into legal trouble. In Paris, he meets fellow Americans ‘Duke’ Sinclair, Dave Putnam, Tom Hitchcock, and Bill Wellman at a bar where they hear about an exciting new opportunity: joining the recently formed Lafayette Escadrille and becoming volunteer pilots for France. The group enlists and trains together before ultimately becoming combat pilots.
While not on duty, Walker meets and falls for Renée Beaulieu, a common streetwalker with a softer side. In order to be with his American lover, Renée gives up her previous profession and finds a new job. Being raised by an abusive father has left Walker resentful towards authority figures. When a haughty French officer strikes him for not understanding orders in French, Walker retaliates and knocks the officer down – a grave offense. Before he can face punishment, his friends help him escape the camp. He then seeks refuge in Paris at his girlfriend’s apartment. While his comrades continue their training, Walker works for the Madam in hopes of saving enough money to flee to South America with Renée.
