The Tuskegee Airmen
Based on a true story, The Tuskegee Airmen, tells the story of a group of African-
American pilots and their challenges in becoming airmen for the U.S Army Air Corps. The film
was directed by Robert Markowitz and stars Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding, Jr., John
Lithgow, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. We follow Hannibal Lee (Laurence Fishburne) and other
airmen from their initial training at Tuskegee, Alabama, through their combat assignments during
World War II. The film depicts the racism and hardships encountered by the pilots. When First
Lady Eleanor Roosevelt decides to visit Tuskegee, she asks to be flown by one of the African-
American pilots. She also questions why these men are not participating in the war. This action
causes the airmen to finally enter the war. Soon they join with other African-American pilots in
the 332nd Fighter Group where their skill in protecting bombers from enemy fighters finally
earns them the respect they deserve.
The Tuskegee Airmen does a praiseworthy job depicting the adversities and racism the
pilots encounter throughout the Tuskegee experiment. The struggle for equality can be felt
throughout the film as the men prove that they have the intelligence and ability to pilot complex
planes. It also remains closely true to real life events in history. African American college
graduates were chosen for an Army “experiment” which lead to the creation of the segregated
99th Fighter Squadron, which trained at an airfield adjacent to Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute.
[CITATION htt16 \l 1033 ] Over time, the African-Americans pilots were dubbed the Tuskegee
Airmen. Not only airmen were recruited, over 16,000 air traffic controllers, bombardiers, flight
instructors, mechanics, navigators, officers, pilots, radio technicians, weather forecasters, and
more, were the participants of the “Tuskegee Airmen Experience.”[ CITATION Tus16 \l 1033 ]
Along with historical accuracy the setting of the film also helps contribute to its realistic feel.
Looking at the uniforms of the soldiers along with the clothing of the men and women
portrayed throughout the film coincides with the dress of the time. Women are seen in formal
dresses, while men have suits and ties on. Below is a picture of the actors from The Tuskegee
Airmen (on the left)[ CITATION Rob95 \l 1033 ] and airmen from the past (on the right)
[ CITATION Wik16 \l 1033 ]; it is clear they have comparably uniforms on.
