Bombardier

1943
Approved
1h 39m

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

909

YOUR RATING

Randolph Scott, Pat O'Brien, and Anne Shirley in Bombardier (1943)

Major "Chick" Davis is convinced that high-level bombing will win the next war. He convinces the powers-that-be to set up a bombardier school. He efficiently sets about training the USAAF's first generation of high-level bombardiers.

Play trailer1:55

1 Video

8 Photos

Drama War

Major "Chick" Davis is convinced that high-level bombing will win the next war. He convinces the powers-that-be to set up a bombardier school. He efficiently sets about training the USAAF's ... Read allMajor "Chick" Davis is convinced that high-level bombing will win the next war. He convinces the powers-that-be to set up a bombardier school. He efficiently sets about training the USAAF's first generation of high-level bombardiers.Major "Chick" Davis is convinced that high-level bombing will win the next war. He convinces the powers-that-be to set up a bombardier school. He efficiently sets about training the USAAF's first generation of high-level bombardiers.

Directors
- Richard Wallace
- Lambert Hillyer
Writers
- John Twist
- Martin Rackin
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

909

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Richard Wallace
- Lambert Hillyer
Writers
- John Twist
- Martin Rackin
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total

Videos1

Trailer 1:55

Watch Official Trailer

Photos8

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The American bomb sight mentioned throughout the movie was the Norden bomb sight whose secret was almost as closely guarded as the development of the atomic bomb. It used a mechanical computer and linkage to the plane's autopilot to achieve an accuracy of hitting with 75 feet of the target from an altitude of 12000 feet. All members of the bomber's crew were ordered to destroy the sight at all costs if the plane was going to crash. Many ships carried a hand grenade to place under the sight to assure total destruction. It was used as late as 1967 to drop sensors along the Ho Chi Minh trail in Viet Nam.

Goofs
The Douglas B18's, Beechcraft AT11's and B17 aircraft all sport national markings found from May 1942 until June 1943, yet a considerable part of this film takes place before Pearl Harbor.

Quotes
Burton Hughes: You're quite an entomologist.
Sgt. Archie Dixon: Nope! But I know all about bugs.

Crazy credits
Brigadier General Eugene L. Eubank is billed first because he is credited in the forward before any cast is mentioned, and he is not listed in the comprehensive end credits.

Alternate versions
Also available in a computer colorized version.

Connections
References Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

Soundtracks
Song of the Bombardiers
(1942) (published title)
On-screen title: "Song of the U. S. Bombardiers"
Music by M.K. Jerome (as M. K. Jerome)
Lyrics by Jack Scholl
Played during the opening and closing credits and often in the score
Sung by the audience at the magic show

User reviews20

Review

Featured review

6/10

Knute Rockne Joins the Army Air Corps

Pat O'Brien takes his Knute Rockne character and joins the Army Air Corps in Bombardier and he and Randolph Scott have a disagreement as far as air tactics go. Scott wants to do things as they do in the RAF where he's been an observer. Fly in low and drop bombs and avoid being shot at.

O'Brien is more interested in technology. Develop and learn how to use an accurate bombsight so you can be up around 20,000 feet and only have to worry about enemy planes which presumably your fighter escort has to deal with.

But since these guys are friends it's a good natured fight as both are in the business of training bombardiers. Among the familiar faces they train are Eddie Albert and Robert Ryan before both went in the service themselves.

Bombardier is so very dated now, but still entertaining. The advances in technology are light years beyond what O'Brien and Scott are dealing with. Film buffs who are air historians might like it though.