Watch In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen

In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen is a riveting documentary released in 2012 that chronicles the story of the first African American military aviators who served in North Africa, Sicily, and Europe during World War II. The film features several of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen themselves, including Lee Archer, Roscoe Brown, and Herbert Carter, and tells their inspiring story of courage, perseverance, and triumph over racial discrimination.

The documentary starts by providing a historical context on how African Americans were treated in the United States during the 1940s. The Jim Crow laws had institutionalized segregation and discrimination against African Americans in almost every aspect of life, including the armed forces. In 1941, however, pressure from civil rights activists and the desperate need for men to fight the war led the U.S. military to establish the first all-black flying unit, the 99th Fighter Squadron, based in Tuskegee, Alabama.

The film then follows the life stories of some of the Tuskegee Airmen, including their training, deployment, and combat experience. Lee Archer, for instance, talks about how he became interested in flying at a young age and how he overcame numerous obstacles to become one of the most decorated pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group. Roscoe Brown, on the other hand, shares his experience of being shot down over Austria and narrowly escaping capture by the Germans.

Furthermore, the documentary sheds light on the challenges and obstacles faced by the Tuskegee Airmen due to racial discrimination. The decision to establish an all-black unit was unprecedented, and the white officers were initially skeptical of their ability to fly and fight. The Tuskegee Airmen had to endure racial insults, segregation, and discrimination, both in and out of the military. But despite the obstacles, they persevered and proved themselves to be skilled pilots and fierce fighters.

One of the most notable achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen was their record of never losing a single bomber to enemy fire while escorting them over Europe. This outstanding accomplishment earned them the nickname "Red Tails" due to the distinctive red markings on their P-51 Mustang fighters. The documentary showcases some of the stunning aerial footage of their combat missions, highlighting the skill and bravery of these remarkable pilots.

The film's tone is reverential towards the Tuskegee Airmen and highlights their successes against a backdrop of pervasive racism. It also celebrates the unique bond of brotherhood that developed among the airmen, who shared a common goal of fighting for their country and proving their worth as black men.

In addition to the surviving Tuskegee Airmen, the documentary also features interviews with their children and grandchildren, who talk about the impact that their fathers and grandfathers had on their lives and on the broader civil rights movement. The film also includes rare archival footage and photographs, which help to contextualize the experiences of the pilots.

Overall, In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen is an inspiring and powerful documentary that tells the remarkable story of these trailblazing aviators. It highlights their courage, determination, and resilience in the face of racial discrimination and provides an important historical perspective on the struggle for civil rights in the United States.

In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.