Flying Tigers (1942)

Set in China prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a small band of American mercenaries led by an ace pilot (John Wayne) battle against the Japanese in defense of China's freedom. Directed by David Miller (LONELY ARE THE BRAVE). Although the film is fictional, there was a unit known as the American Volunteer Group that fought the Japanese in China during WWII. However, the movie has them fighting the Japanese prior to WWII when, in fact, they did not see action until after Pearl Harbor. It's a hackneyed war propaganda film (and not one of the better ones) that proliferated in U.S. cinemas during WWII. The aerial sequences are fine but the pedestrian narrative is hokey and predictable. Ironically (or maybe not), the film is set in China but the main cast are all Caucasian with the Chinese characters reduced to bit parts or background atmosphere on the periphery of the action. Unintentionally, it comes across as one of those "white savior" movies where Caucasians save people of color because they are unable to do so themselves. The film received three Oscar nominations including one for Victor Young's score. With Anna Lee, John Carroll, Paul Kelly, Mae Clarke and Richard Loo.