Thunderbirds

One of my favorite moments from this film is early on when an Osage chief, who's talking to a man he just gave a trophy to, asks him why they changed patches to the Thunderbird, and the man shows the old patch, which was a swastika. The man tells the chief, "Hitler took it." The chief says, "Hitler? Oh, crazy man. You take it back son." I understand if you can find an original 45th Division Swastika patch, it's very valuable. I also wish we knew who the chief was. And, the Osages did use their language in real life to confound the Germans. Just so our friend who spoke of the Navajos knows. This is a great flick, and if it's ever on video, get it.

I comment this film only because it is from John H Auer. I will continue with this film maker for a couple of movies. He deserves to be discovered again. This one is not his best, unlike THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, which is his masterpiece for me. This war film is not worst than most of this period, but it is easily forgettable, let's be honest. The characters symphony is not bad but over used, with no major surprises, and if you are a John Derek's fan, you will enjoy this film. Good action war film. I am not sure it was releaed in France, my homeland, but surely in Belgium, where American movies were distributed galore, many many more than in France.

I have only seen this movie once, when I was about 14 years old, but I was thrilled that they made a movie about the 45th Division. Being from Oklahoma and especially now that both of my sons are members of the 45th, I would like to see it released on a DVD. I may sound a little bias but the 45th Division sometimes does not get the recognition it deserves today. The History channel always talks about the other infantry divisions when it talks about WW2 and Korea but you rarely hear it mention the 45th. One of the scene that really stood out for me was when the had the Indian Code Talkers at work and the puzzled look on the German soldiers faces when they could not understand this language. I am glad that all of the Native American Code Talkers are getting the recognition they deserve.

Thunderbirds is a tribute to the war service of the Oklahoma National Guard which was activated in 1940 before America's entry into World War II and the action they saw.

The film which nicely blends in actual battle footage with the ensemble cast focuses on two members of the Guard who were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma John Derek and John Drew Barrymore. When they are activated and the guard mixed in with other troops the whole film starts to look like an updated version of The Fighting 69th.

The top sergeant of the regiment is Ward Bond. He's carrying a deep dark secret from the first World War and no pun intended a bond with Barrymore that John Drew knows nothing of. It's the main plot line of the film.

Some good and believable characters blended in with clichéd military types you find in most war films of the era.

By the way, Thunderbird is the insignia of the Oklahoma National Guard. It's a decent war film from Republic Pictures.

I agree with comments from DILO-1. DILO-1 should contact me by email so that we can arrange a copy of this film "Thunderbirds (1952) for the 45th Infantry Division museum. I saw this movie when it was originally released, and it motivated me to join the Oklahoma National Guard and the 45th Infantry Division which returned from the Korean War at that time. There are periodic reunions for veterans of this Division, and I am sure that all of the members would like to see the film. The 45th (brigade sized, now) is currently on active duty in Afganistan. It is a shame that the History channel could not be more proactive in obtaining historical films of this type. lovingtheclassics.com is a source for DVD.