Red Tails parents guide

Red Tails Parent Guide

Far from being just an African American story, "Red Tails" is a heroic narrative of a little known group that deserves their moment in the spotlight.

Overall B+

Segregation between blacks and whites is alive and well during WWII. But a crew of African American pilots is about to get their chance to put their lives on the line and show what they can do when Col. A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard) takes the lead. This movie explores the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Release date January 20, 2012

Violence C
Sexual Content B
Profanity C+
Substance Use C

Why is Red Tails rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Red Tails PG-13 for some sequences of war violence.

Run Time: 125 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

The story of the Tuskagee Airmen is one that deserves to be told. While many U.S. states still enforced Jim Crow laws, these African American soldiers were willing to enlist in a military where racial segregation, bigotry and discrimination remained. After being trained to fly and maintain planes in the Tuskagee Experiment, these men proved to be proficient and dedicated servicemen who collectively earned 95 Distinguished Flying Crosses for their WWII contributions.

Long a proponent of their tale, Executive producer George Lucas spent $58 million of his own money to bring the film to theaters. On the January 11, 2012 edition of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, he also waded into the controversy over what he says is Hollywood’s snubbing of the film because of the predominantly black cast.

In this fictional account, these flyboys are stationed at a separate base camp called the “reservation” by their white peers. Given insignificant busywork, they yearn for action. Facing off with the brass in Washington, commander Col. A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard) finally procures them an assignment protecting troops as they make a beach landing.

Once launched, these airmen prove their prowess behind the stick of an aircraft. But on land, many of them deal with personal appetites including women and liquor. Drinking to deal with the stress he feels as squadron leader, Marty ‘Easy’ Julian  (Nate Parker) takes one nip too many before an important mission. His bunkmate, Joe ‘Lightening’ Little has trouble with following orders.

In addition to some stunning scenery and engaging aerial dogfights, a visual effect that Lucas perfected in his Star Wars movies, the film gives audiences a sense of the prejudice these men faced. Unfortunately, it is only a sense. Frankly the film feels too clean. The camp is clean. The uniforms are clean. The Italian town the soldiers are stationed near looks like it has been scrubbed down from top to bottom. A POW escapee looks as though he’s been on a first class flight rather than wandering through the woods. And the spectacularly white teeth on these guys would make any dentist proud.

Part of the problem may be the incredible detail captured by digital cameras. But in this instance it becomes a distraction. It is far more likely the actual Tuskagee Airmen lived in far grittier circumstances. Tidying up their story and surroundings only does them a disservice.

While warfare results in bloody injuries, fiery explosions and badly burned airmen, the dialogue is often cumbersome, anachronistic and laden with profanities. (Was ‘man up’ really used in 1944?)

Yet despite its flaws, this is a film that warrants a watching if for no other reason than to honor the men it portrays and their historical significance. Far from being just an African American story, Red Tails is a heroic narrative of a little known group that deserves their moment in the spotlight.

Directed by Anthony Hemingway. Starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Ne-Yo. Running time: 125 minutes. Theatrical release January 20, 2012. Updated

Red Tails
Rating & Content Info

Why is Red Tails rated PG-13? Red Tails is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some sequences of war violence.

Violence: Numerous scenes of aerial warfare, weapon use and frequent gunfire are seen. Planes, buildings and communities are bombed and destroyed in fiery explosions. Men are shown on fire. Another man is badly burned. Some bloody injuries result in death. A man is captured by enemy soldiers. Two pilots play a deadly game of chicken. A man engages others in a fistfight. Dead bodies are seen. Tense moments arise between characters.

Sexual Content: A man discusses his interest in woman. An unmarried couple is shown after an implied sexual encounter. Some embracing and kissing is shown.

Language: The script contains frequent mild profanities as well as some moderate language and terms of Deity. Some slurs are used.

Alcohol / Drug Use: A man drinks to deal with stress. Other characters use cigarettes, cigars and a pipe on numerous occasions. Men drink in a bar.

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Red Tails Parents' Guide

Read more about the real Tuskegee Airmen here: a href=“http://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/tuskegee/airoverview.htm”

Learn how First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt offered her support to their efforts.

In the war movie Dear John, the soldiers talk about the moments of high action and intense boredom. How do the soldiers deal with boredom in Red Tails? How do some of the men deal with the stress of being in a war zone? What other factors impact their feelings of self-doubt? How do they combat those?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Red Tails movie is May 22, 2012. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Red Tails

Release Date: 22 May 2012

Red Tails releases to home video in a Blu-ray Combo Pack. Bonus extras include:

- Double Victory: The Tuskegee Airmen at War

- George Lucas: Executive Producer

- Anthony Hemingway: Director

- Terence Blanchard: Composer

- The Cast of Red Tails

- Movie Magic

- THX Media Director

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