Premiering in theaters on January 20, 2012, this World War II action/drama film was inspired by the true tale of the Tuskegee Airmen, members of the first all African-American aerial fighting squad who exhibited boundless heroism in many battle zones—in combat in the skies above Europe, in a military where opportunity was limited by segregation and racial prejudice, and on a home front governed by Jim Crow laws and marred by bigotry and discrimination. Red Tails (PG-13), from Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox, is directed by Anthony Hemingway with George Lucas serving as executive producer, a real boon for a movie featuring an array of airborne action scenes. The story begins in the midst of the war, as a crew of African American pilots—trained as part of an "experimental" program at Alabama's Tuskegee Army Airfield and now stationed in Italy—await the opportunity to engage in aerial combat and refute forever the misplaced assumption held by many, including military leaders, that blacks did not possess the intelligence, self-discipline, and fierce bravery needed to be successful fighter pilots. However, as the situation for the Allies becomes critical, the Army command is compelled to utilize all of its resources to protect a dwindling fleet of bombers. The Red Tails (named for the distinctive markings on their aircraft) are finally given the chance to take to the air, prove themselves in battle, and reveal the awe-inspiring heights of their abilities, courage, and valor. The cast includes Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, Ne-Yo, and Nate Parker.
Teens can visit the official website to find out more and immerse themselves in the Red Tails experience. A click on "Visit the Base" takes youngsters to the Ramitelli Airbase in Italy, 1944, where they can use the mouse to explore the interior of the airfield office and access numerous features that introduce plot elements and provide historical background. For example, a click on an old-style movie projector accesses three different reels (video diaries of the characters, a clip presenting interviews with "The Real Tuskegee Airmen," and info about the P-51 Mustang); a cabinet holds an easy-to-browse handbook for the P-51; a map highlights "Battles to Remember" with report-style descriptions of particular missions; a desk drawer opens to reveal personnel files and photos of the fictional crew; and a bookcase holds a volume offering a brief overview of the Tuskegee Airmen along with archival photos. In addition to viewing movie trailers showcasing the film's breathtaking airborne battle scenes and emotional scope, kids can watch behind-the-scenes videos narrated by Hemingway that reveal the moviemakers' commitment to telling the story with both passion and accuracy (the director describes how the cast—looking quite awe-struck—met with Tuskegee veterans, endured boot camp, and even flew in P-51s). A click on "Fly the Mission" puts teens in the cockpit of a P-51 as they engage in battle by using their mouse to shoot down enemy craft and unlock content (movie clips add to the excitement).
Related Books
Movie fans will be interested in learning more about this important moment in history and the timing is perfect for displays and booktalks geared toward Black History Month.
In Black and White Airmen: Their True History (Houghton, 2007; Gr 6 Up), John Fleischman reels readers in with an amazing tale of a late-in-life friendship between Tuskegee Airman John Leahr and white bomber pilot Herb Heilbrun, two men who led parallel lives but never connected until 50 years after the war. The similarities between their stories-they were both born in 1920 in Cincinnati, OH; grew up in the same neighborhood; attended the same elementary school; were members of the same third-grade class (there's even a photo to prove it); worked at the same aeronautical factory in 1940; trained as military pilots; and even flew some of the same missions-dramatically underscores the differences between their experiences, differences attributed to the effects of racism and segregation. The two encountered one another in 1997 at a ceremony honoring the Red Tails and immediately initiated a friendship that would make up for lost time. Fleischman does an excellent job of describing the details of each man's life story—during both wartime and peacetime—and then pulling back to fill readers in on the larger picture and provide historical and cultural context. Much background is offered on a variety of topics, including a look at the "color line" in the early 20th century and the many hardships caused by segregation; an overview of the army's stance on maintaining segregated forces; the challenges faced by the Tuskegee Airman (from the military powers that be as well as enemy aircraft); and the ins and outs of air combat. Throughout, the personal details keep the story both gripping and affecting (for example, a relieved-to-be-alive Heilbrun collecting his metal nameplate from the duty board at the end of his tour; Leahr, a decorated pilot in uniform, threatened with lynching in the streets of Memphis in 1945; or, in more recent times, the emotional response the two men receive when sharing their story with audiences). Personal photos, reproductions of documents and artwork, maps, and other illustrations appear throughout. This is an enticing and elucidating combo of storytelling and scholarship.
Concise and well-written, Sari Earl's Benjamin O. Davis Jr. (ABDO, 2010; Gr 6-9) provides an accessible introduction to the man who was instrumental in leading the Tuskegee Airman to success. The son of an African-American officer, Davis first attended a barnstorming event in 1926 and immediately knew that he wanted to fly. However, despite graduating 35th in his class at West Point (where he endured constant isolation), his application to enter the U.S. Army Air Corps was rejected. His chance finally came in 1941 with the Tuskegee "experiment" and the opportunity to become a part of—and eventually head up—the first ever African-American fighter squadron. A demanding and inspiring commander, Davis would go on to lead the Ninety-ninth Fighter Squadron to many victories during World War II, before continuing on to a career marked by numerous honors and ground-breaking accomplishments. Earl provides a clear account of historical events as well as the racial discrimination Davis encountered in both his personal and professional lives, painting a portrait of a highly principled individual who worked tirelessly to end segregation in the military. Black-and-white photos appear throughout, and the book's open layout-along with sidebars that explain terminology and add more background about individuals, places, and events-makes the volume particularly appropriate for reluctant readers.
John B. Holway's Red Tails: An Oral History of the Tuskegee Airmen (Dover, 2012; Gr 9 Up) is an updated and expanded edition of Red Tails, Black Wings (Yucca Tree Pr., 1997). What better way for readers to explore this moment in history than through the words of the men who experienced it? Holway sets the scene with chapters describing the achievements of early black aviators, the 1939 Civilian Pilot Training Program (intended to prepare pilots for the Air Corps in case of war, the program was offered at black colleges, including Tuskegee Institute), and the early days of "The Tuskegee Experiment," before delving into the specifics of the Red Tails' wartime service, struggles on the home front, and contributions in Korea and Vietnam. Framed by brief explanations that establish the historical context, the bulk of the book consists of quotes from numerous members of the Tuskegee Airmen, mostly gathered through interviews and sometimes excerpted from their own publications. The breadth of the extensive commentary—which includes contributions from pilots as well as ground crew, covers personal histories in addition to battle action, and presents a brutally honest picture of a segregated military—is both enthralling and enlightening. The entries percolate with personality as the men tell their tales with humor, passion, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. From cockpit views of missions and skirmishes, to descriptions of harrowing crashes and the experiences of men taken as POWs, to the battles fought to integrate the Officers' Club back home, the quotes vividly relate a variety of experiences and provide a fascinating overview of this period in history. Readers get a taste of the challenges faced and triumphs won by these trailblazers, as well as a strong sense of their courage, commitment, and heroism. Sixteen pages of black-and-white archival photos are included. An intimate and revealing look at history.
Barry M. Stentiford's Tuskegee Airmen (Greenwood, 2012; Gr 9 Up) offers an informative overview for general readers as well as a solid resource for classroom research projects. Throughout this carefully detailed work, the author recounts the personal experiences of these men, while placing their story at the intersection of two important historical trends: "the growth of airpower and its concurrent development as a critical factor in the American way of war and the early stirring of the civil rights movement." Information about the obstacles faced by individual soldiers or the specifics of a particular airborne battle are balanced by a broader historical and cultural perspective, as Stentiford provides insight about the effects of segregation on military operations, the influence of public opinion on policy, or the challenges of bringing about change in a nation characterized by Jim Crow laws. Citations are presented within the text, with references listed at each chapter's end. Black-and-white photos are scattered throughout, and the book also includes a detailed chronology, brief biographies of key figures, a lengthy section of primary documents (military reports and orders, official narratives of battle encounters, and more), a glossary, and an annotated bibliography. A readable, well-researched, and eye-opening account of a group of men whose "contributions to the war effort, to civil rights, and to America fully justified the hopes of so many they first carried into the skies over Tuskegee, Alabama."
Publication Information
FLEISCHMAN, John. Black and White Airmen: Their True History. Houghton. 2007. PLB $20. ISBN 978-0-618-56297-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 9780547505268.
EARL, Sari. Benjamin O. Davis Jr.: Air Force General & Tuskegee Airmen Leader. ABDO. 2010. PLB $23.95. ISBN 978-1-60453-961-5.
HOLWAY, John. B. Red Tails: An Oral History of the Tuskegee Airmen. Dover. 2012. pap. $19.95. ISBN 978-0-486-48500-3.
STENTIFORD, Barry M. Tuskegee Airmen. "Landmarks of the American Mosaic" series. Greenwood/ABC CLIO. 2012. Tr $35. ISBN 978-0-313-38684-8.
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