WINGS, THE FIRST FILM TO WIN AN OSCAR

Wings was the first movie to win the Academy Awards. It was directed by William A. Wellman and produced by Lucien Hubbard. Wings was released by Paramount Pictures in 1927 and is a silent war film set during the First World War. Clara Bow stars as Sylvia Lewis. The film also stars Gary Cooper, Charles Rogers, and Richard Arlen.

Wings is a powerful melodrama that involves love and revenge. Jack Powell and David Armstrong are rivals in the same small town, and they fight for the attention of Sylvia Lewis. However, Jack fails to realize that "the girl next door", Mary Preston, desperately loves him. The two young men both enlist to become combat pilots in the Air Service. When they leave for the service, Jack believes Sylvia likes him, but in fact Sylvia prefers David; Sylvia is just too nice to turn down Jack. During the epic Battle of Saint-Mihiel, David is shot down and presumed dead.

However, David survives the crash landing. Stealing a German plane, he heads for the Allied lines. Tragically, bad luck strikes and Jack spots the enemy aircraft. Bent on avenging his friend, Jack begins an attack and is successful in downing the aircraft. Jack agrees to join David's (as he lays dying) side and becomes depressed when he realizes what he has done to David. David consoles him and before he dies, forgives his comrade. When Jack returns home, he apologizes to David's parents. David's parents blamed the war. Jack then realizes Mary's love and Jack realizes he loves Mary too.