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Captains of the Clouds

Play trailer Poster for Captains of the Clouds 1942 1h 53m War Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 49% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Brian MacLean (James Cagney) is an overconfident Canadian bush pilot who does not think twice before stealing any flying opportunity from his fellow pilots. But when he joins the air force at the beginning of World War II, his disregard for authority causes more problems than he can imagine. To clear his reputation, protect his friends, and win the respect of the military, Brian learns that he must act for the benefit of his country instead of himself.
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Captains of the Clouds

Critics Reviews

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James Agee TIME Magazine 02/27/2018
Although Cagney is much better than his thankless role, the real heroes of Captains are Director Michael Curtiz and his five cameramen ... Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 05/28/2023
3.5/5
Captains of the Clouds could benefit from a stronger script but the cinematography and Steiner's score are among the few highlights in this RCAF enlistment booster. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 03/26/2022
2.5/4
The movie's complete bosh, but the Technicolor lensing is impressive and Cagney is in his element as a brash brawler. Go to Full Review Aurelio Pego Cine-Mundial 09/12/2019
A movie that is as brutal as it is human, with a strong argument, allows us to sympathize with the protagonist. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/25/2012
B
James Cagney's first color film, an aviation tale, was Oscar nominated for Cinematography and Interior Decoration Go to Full Review Steve Crum Kansas City Kansan 10/25/2004
B+
Cagney is a bush pilot facing a fleet of Nazi raiders in this morale-boosting aviation drama from Warner Brothers. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bob D @Utahbob Aug 30 Corny and a pretty weak plot but eminently watchable. A mixture of real aerial cinematography and miniatures. No cgi back then. Cagney. If a stretch as a Canadian pulls off hopis obnoxious tough guy with a heat in the right place roll. Designed no doubt to be a morale builder for the WW2 Canadian and US audiences it somehow works. See more j f @LiberteBurrows 05/29/2023 An Eisenhower-esque attempt to appease the anglo-canuck war effort. James Cagney's warm-hearted, yet rebellious and haughty character would have made a lot more sense if script was written about Alaskan bush pilots and USAAF. See more 03/24/2016 It was a coincidence, this being Remembrance Day, that I threw on this selection from the James Cagney Signature Collection DVD boxed set, and it's weird that this Hollywood film came out as a tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Really unique as a war film, and I loved Billy Bishop's cameo, in his full title, giving out 'wings' to those fortunate pilots who successfully passed RCAF training. Especially recommended for fans either of James Cagney or war films in general. See more 02/26/2014 It was a coincidence, this being Remembrance Day, that I threw on this selection from the James Cagney Signature Collection DVD boxed set, and it's weird that this Hollywood film came out as a tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Really unique as a war film, and I loved Billy Bishop's cameo, in his full title, giving out 'wings' to those fortunate pilots who successfully passed RCAF training. Especially recommended for fans either of James Cagney or war films in general. See more 06/17/2013 I yield to no one in my admiration of James Cagney as actor. But quite frankly, he's too urban, too much from the sidewalks of New York to be a convincing Canadian bush pilot. But Brian McLean is a typical cocky Cagney character. So if you can get past Cagney's speech pattern, you'll enjoy the film. See more 03/24/2013 What is special about this movie is that the real Billy Bishop appears near the end, and Jimmy Cagney is timeless. A Canadian connection makes it personally fun. See more Read all reviews
Captains of the Clouds

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Curtiz

Director

James Cagney

Brian MacLean

Dennis Morgan

Johnny Dutton

Brenda Marshall

Emily Foster

Alan Hale

Francis Patrick "Tiny" Murphy

George Tobias

Blimp Lebec

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Captains of the Clouds

Captains of the Clouds (1942) Captains of the Clouds (1942) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Brian MacLean (James Cagney) is an overconfident Canadian bush pilot who does not think twice before stealing any flying opportunity from his fellow pilots. But when he joins the air force at the beginning of World War II, his disregard for authority causes more problems than he can imagine. To clear his reputation, protect his friends, and win the respect of the military, Brian learns that he must act for the benefit of his country instead of himself.
Director
Michael Curtiz
Producer
Hal B. Wallis
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 21, 1942, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 53m