The movie Red Tails was originally developed around 1988 by a producer named George Lucas, after hearing about the Tuskegee Airmen from a close friend of his.1 When researching went into the film, Lucas invited some of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen to be interviewed about their experiences during World War II in which they accepted. After researching for the film, the film was still delayed because Lucas found Hollywood production agencies to be weary about having a all black cast. Lucas reported that the agencies stated that they didn’t know how to advertise a movie like this.2 Nonetheless, Lucas decided to put into the film around $50 million for production and about $35 million for the marketing of the film. He was determine to make this film happen.
The film originally was part of Lucasfilms productions when it was bought later on after the movie premiered by Disney on October 30th 2012.3 During the time the movie was in theaters, there’s was very mixed reviews about the film to many individuals finding the movie inspiring to others picking at the historical accuracy. Although, keeping in mine that this film wasn’t advertised as a documentary, viewers understood the underlying message the movie wanted to reach out of. So much that the Red Tails film received a nomination for 2012 Teen Choice Awards for “Choice Action Movie” and was nominated at the BET Awards for “Best Movie”. Later, in 2013, Red Tails won the NAACP Image Award in the categories of “Outstanding Motion Picture” and “Outstanding Independent Motion” at the 44th NAACP Image Awards.4
The History of Tuskegee Airmen
From the very beginning, the Tuskegee Airmen faced harsh challenges as previously mention on this site. Before the Tuskegee Airmen program was developed, there were no fighter pilots of color in the US army at all.5 Even so after so many discussions and decisions, the Tuskegee Airmen Program was finally granted and operating. When it came to Colonel Bullard operating squadron 332nd when transferred from tactical air force to strategic air for escort duty General Eaker stated,
“Yesterday, we transferred the 332nd, completely equipped with P-47s to the Strategic Air Force. These colored pilots have very high morale and are eager to get started on their new Strategic task accompanying long-range bombers. I talked with general Strothers, their Wing Commander, today. He has watched them closely, in their indoctrination phase and he feels, as I do, that they will give a good account of themselves” 6
The men then went on to prove themselves by being awarded the President Unit Citation for it’s longest bomber escort mission to Berlin, Germany.7 They were always rewarded two Presidential Unit Citations for outstanding tactical air support and aerial combat. All of this lead to a historic moment where the U.S Congress authorized $29 million to develop the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in 1988.8 These individuals paved the way for many more people of color who want the opportunity to fight and prove themselves to their country.
Here is a quick video about the Tuskegee Airmen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp3_7Yo2xFw
Other Reviews About The Film:
Footnotes
- Spelling, Ian. “Life with Indy.” Starlog #191, June 1993.
- Lucas, George. “Tuskegee Airmen Airmen to Be Subject of Lucas Film.” Today.com, July 17, 2008.
- “Disney to Aquire Lucasfilm Ltd..” The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney, April 30, 2018.
- “Red Tails.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, November 3, 2022.
- Haulman, Daniel Lee. “The Tuskegee Airmen Chronology: A Detailed Timeline of the Red Tails and Other Black Pilots of World War II.”
- Adolph Caso., and Francis, Charles E. “The Tuskegee Airmen: The Men Who Changed a Nation.” 5th ed. Boston: Branden Books, 2008.
- History. “Tuskegee Airmen.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, November 9, 2009.
- “Tuskegee Airmen.” History.com
