In Normandy, the Nazis studded all open fields with posts so that landing Allied gliders had their wings snapped off, causing them to tumble and roll. Regardless, with no helicopters to speak of, the gliders were crucial to bring men and re-supply the paratroopers. American gliders were also involved in the invasion of Holland, despite having no compasses, few maps and fewer pilots still knowing where their targets were, and the Battle of the Bulge, where they brought in desperately needed doctors and supplies to the cut-off Allied forces.
This documentary is comprised of stunning archival footage, some still shots and modern interviews with veteran glider pilots. There are also anecdotal interviews with Andy Rooney and Walter Cronkite. Rooney flew into Normandy in a glider on D-4; Cronkite’s harrowing glider flight was during “Operation Market Garden,” the invasion of Holland. Some of the film is dry but the interviews with the pilots and the war correspondents humanize the history and make it accessible.
There are not much by way of extras on the DVD: a virtual tour of the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, Texas; an interview with writer/director Robert Child; and three trailers for other Inecom documentaries.
It’s a long film, clocking in at 113 minutes, and will prove most interesting to World War II history buffs, airplane aficionados, and veterans and their families. But despite the length and the subject matter, for which I have no particular affinity, the documentary largely kept my attention and even brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. The American glider pilots of WWII were an incredibly courageous group who should be recognized along with our other veterans and thanked for their bravery and valor. Silent Wings gives voice to their story and is a respectful tribute to their sacrifices.
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