Dragonfly Squadron (1954)

Memorable, crazy movie

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Although it is always good news the edition of classic 3D movies this one happens to be so bore that not even the 3D raises it up. All roles are quite flat and unidimensional. The love story is uninteresting and unnecessary. The film plot should be about new pilots' training and frankly this is hardly seen, although may have been the main focus of interest. Fess Parker and Chuck Connors (among the best of the film) do appear in small roles. So in the end the best thing about this movie is 3D: although there are not special effects -not even great aircraft fights- the restoration makes it bright and gives us an ultimate approximation to those years' stereoscopic experience.

It's 1950, and the U.S. Air Force is worried about the North Koreans overrunning Seoul and parts of South Korea. John Hodiak is an Air Force Major who has to train the local South Korean pilots ASAP before the war might break out. The U.S is not yet in the war, as they are waiting for United Nations approval of military action. To complicate matters for Hodiak, his ex-flame Barbara Britton is on base. Things are a bit awkward as when she and Hodiak were together she thought that her husband, doctor Bruce Bennett, was dead in Vietnam, but he turned up alive a few months later.This is a low budget film by Allied Artists. The first half is mostly talk and most of the action doesn't happen until the last half. There are a few flaws in the screenplay, for example main character Hodiak doesn't have much to do in the climax. Also, the Korean pilots are barely shown, although the main story is about training them. It would have been much more interesting if we had gotten to know them. Most of the supporting characters don't have much to do, but it is nice to see actors like Chuck Connors and Fess Parker in small roles.The film has been lovingly restored by the 3D Archive and looks great even in 2D. It is an interesting look at the Korean War that was released a few months after the war ended. If you like war films or 3D films, don't miss it, but don't expect a classic.

It may not be the best 3D movie ,but, it focuses strongly on good story and plot and not throwing things at the Camera.It's just total depth to bring to into the story.The gimmick is not in any part of this film.Like it's unconscious of the 3D. There are some shots that are flat as if they were shot that way purposely or maybe the left or right image of that scene shrunk or lost?It did not interfere in the continuity.The story, John Hodiak and his friend played by Gerald Mohr are being sent to south Korea to counter act the communist.John discovers that he going to be working with Bruce Bennett,for whom John was in love with Bruce's wife played ,by Barbara Briton.At one time Bruce was lost in Indo China.When Bruce was missing in action,Barbara thought he was dead and went to John.The discovery That Bruce was alive, Babara goes back to him ,frustrating John.Now johns going to have to work with him and deals with Barbara.Bruce only Cares about his profession as a doctor more than her.She still love john.You have Clint walker and chuck Connors as the soldiers. Harry Lauter is John's boss.Jess Barker is the Sarcastic war reporter ,who hates John.As the Koreans get closer the whole troop has to leave. Will they get of South Korea or will they be trapped? Will Bruce get killed ,so that Babara can go back the John? Even though this is not a great 3d movie the story is good .It also has a flat version too .For 3D fans.02/02/15

Clichéd, trite, stereotyped. Also, in the copy I saw, almost unwatchably fuzzy- the 3D showing through, perhaps? But the worst bit is the splicing in of stock footage of vaguely relevant bits of hardware. One expects all tanks in movies of this era to be American, but seeing good 'ol all American boys being shelled by a Sherman still jars. But the funniest errors are in the aircraft. Four US jet fighters (P-80's) twice become piston engined P-51's in close up, for example. But best of all a strafing enemy "Yak/Russian" fighter with a piston engine (and a devilish oriental pilot in close up) becomes a jet-powered P-80 (which only the US used) dropping napalm before reverting to a piston engine for the rest of the attack. Masters of disguise, evidently. On the interpersonal front watch for almost every 50's cliché, including "but I had to go back to him, he's wonderful", "I'm a hard-bitten infantryman", "you ran away, you coward", and probably if you look hard enough someone in a flying saucer. Not watchable. Can I have that bit of my life back, please?