jacobs-greenwood Written and directed by Delmer Daves, this unremarkable war drama uses several real events concerning the development of aircraft carrier warfare, from the original U.S.S. Langley and bi-plane aircraft of the 1920's through the U.S.S. Enterprise (among others) during World War II, as its backdrop (even jet fighters flying in formation are shown at the end of the picture).Initially thought to be too vulnerable to fund relative to battleships (e.g. slugging it out since 1812), the carrier became the Navy's most strategic weapon around which much of the rest of fleet was built to support. Six years before Gary Cooper would play Billy Mitchell, a visionary who predicted the advancement and strategic significance of the airplane in Naval battles, he played (a fictional) Jonathan Scott, a Navy pilot who finds himself in a similar position with regards to the aircraft carrier.The film actually begins (and ends) with officer Scott's retirement from the Navy, four years after the end of the Pacific campaign and WW II. Therefore, the story is told in flashback beginning in the early twenties when Scott was just a seaplane pilot being told he'd have to takeoff and land on a deck 65 feet wide, that of the only early carrier (a ship not decommissioned due to budget cuts), the Langley.The plot progresses through years of struggle with (e.g.) Congress over the acceptance of this new technology, up to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and 'our' subsequent hit and run strategy and tactics that led to the significant Battle of Midway victory etc..Most of the film is in B&W, but the last portion (about 20 minutes) of the movie is in color; it appears to consist of stock footage of the actual battles, ostensibly taking place as more than a dozen newly outfitted carriers advance towards Okinawa: the carriers' defense weaponry against enemy aircraft and Kamikaze attacks as well as planes crash landings on their decks are shown.The background story that holds everything together is that of Scott's life and Navy career. His initial flight commander, who during the course of the story becomes an Admiral who's also his superior officer, is Pete Richard, played by Walter Brennan (of course, their last of 8 films together). Jane Wyatt plays Mary Morgan, the wife of another early carrier pilot (Rory Mallinson, uncredited) who's killed that later becomes Scott's wife. Wayne Morris, who actually served in the Navy during World War II himself and became a highly decorated flying ace, plays McKinney, a student of Scott's at the Annapolis Naval Academy that becomes a dive bomber; Julie London plays his wife, the former Miss Barbara McKinney. Bruce Bennett plays McCluskey, someone who served with Scott while he was (being punished for speaking out of turn and) 'flying a desk', stationed at the Panama Canal, until they were both called to serve on a new carrier (the Saratoga; Jack Holt plays wing commander Reeves, who'd also served with Scott back in the 1920's). Stanley Ridges plays Senator Bentley and Art Baker plays Senator Vincent; both of whom argue over the value of the carrier to the fleet and future warfare with Admiral Ames (Moroni Olsen; Laura Treadwell, uncredited, plays his wife). John Ridgely plays Scott's oldest friend, Dixie Rankin, a fellow pilot from the early days whose wife Ruth (Mary Lawrence, uncredited) is killed during the Pearl Harbor raid. Apparently Edmond O'Brien is the uncredited voice heard on radio announcing the attack. Kenneth Tobey (uncredited) also appears very briefly as Captain Ken Willliamson, a man who's escorting and/or dating Mary at a Washington D.C. function before Scott arrives.

bairdathome Probably the only true war hero in this movie While filming Flight Angels Morris became interested in flying and became a pilot. With war in the wind, he joined the Naval Reserve and became a Navy flier in 1942, leaving his film career behind for the duration of the war. Assigned to the carrier Essex in the Pacific, Morris shot down seven Japanese planes and contributed to the sinking of five ships. He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals Read his biography. It is better then I can remember. Sadly died at a young age of a heart attack on board a Navy ship in San Francisco bay and was pronounced at near by Navy hospital. Married once before the war and had one child and again married after the war with two children. Buried in the Arlington National Cemetery along with his brother who flew a B-17 in Europe. Thanks for your time. Stay Safe.

Randy Young I first saw this movie late one night when I couldn't sleep. For those of us that study the history of military aviation, this movie is a God-send! The "between wars" US military had a dismal understanding of aviation. And this film shows what Naval aviators had to contend with. The film depicts, correctly, the backward "John Paul Jones" thinking of the Naval brass at the time. The film covers some 20 years but does it very well. Gary Cooper plays the role of a Naval aviator better than he plays most of his roles. And seeing Walter Brennen as a Navy admiral was different. I grew up watching him as "Grandpa McCoy." Aside from the "movie" stuff, the film is a very good history lesson. Most people can't believe that we had one of the worst air fleets in the world during the inter-war period. And it was because of the 19th century thinking of the senior brass. But for airplane nuts like myself, seeing the old Boeing F4B's, Curtiss Goshawks and Grumman F2F's and F3F's actually in the air was the most wonderful part of the movie. If you get a chance to see it, do so.

mzm188 Task Force gives an excellent account of the earlie years of carrier aviation, right from the 1922 Arms Limitation Conference and the old USS Langly through to the Korean war with the Essex class ships and the jet planes. I especially like that the movie features the real USS Saratoga and USS Enterprise. I think that the movie excellently shows the struggle to gain acknowledgement for carrier aviation, right up to the the attack on Pearl Harbour were the Japanese showed the U.S. how to utilize their carriers. Also the way certain characters has been in-cooperated in the script, the character of Pete Richards bears a striking recemblance to the life of Adm. Marc Mitcher, and also Adm. Yamamotos earlier assignments in Washington D.C. and old Captain Joe Reeves role in carrier aviation are brilliantly portrayed. Finally, Gary Cooper is an excellent choice of actor for the part of Captain Scott, his posture and seriousness makes fore a real officer and gentleman (there should also be something for the ladies !?)