The film feels particularly powerful, likely due to the youthfulness of many of the actors portraying these individuals. It focuses on the experiences of some of the less seasoned pilots who participated in World War One. The narrative revolves around the young "Crawford," played by Simon Ward, as he joins a squadron led by “Gresham,” portrayed by Malcolm McDowell, and his assistant, "Sinclair," acted by Christopher Plummer. Utterly naive to combat, he struggles to survive each time he takes to the air, while also navigating the increasingly sensitive demands of his superior officer who is constantly confronted with the growing number of casualties among his Royal Flying Corps pilots. Jack Gold succeeds in conveying a feeling of impending doom and the precarious existence these young men endured, alongside some impressive aerial footage and battle sequences that realistically depict how dangerous their lives were and just how fragile their planes really were. McDowell’s performance borders on being too theatrical, while Plummer seems to hold back somewhat – neither actor quite connects fully; however, Ward and Peter Firth's "Croft" are both effective and believable. The passage of time hasn't been entirely favorable to this production, but even forty years later, it provides a credible look at the risks faced by young men who had barely begun shaving. It’s not on par with “The Blue Max” (1966), though it remains an acceptable effort in recounting a comparable story.

Source on TMDB