The Depiction of Tuskegee Airmen in The Tuskegee Airmen and Red Tails

Abstract

This bachelor's thesis explores the cinematic depiction of the first African American military pilots, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, in the movies The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) and Red Tails (2012). It establishes the historical context of racial segregation, the pilots' admission to and service in the military aviation branches, and the myths regarding their wartime accomplishments. Subsequently, the study compares both motion pictures, examining the portrayal of racism, heroism, and myths, while analyzing how these diverse depictions convey different messages to the viewers.