Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies
The story of Ace Eli Walford, a 1920s stunt flyer who barnstorms around the country, taking his eleven-year-old son Rodger with him as he goes from town to town. The place is rural Kansas, and the time is midsummer in the early nineteen-twenties, not long after World War I. Eli (Cliff Robertson), a barn storming pilot who has the emotional make-up of an 11-year-old, and Rodger (Eric Shea), his 11-year-old son who possesses the wisdom of the ancients, set off to see the world, which means flying all the way to San Willow. To Eli, San Willow seems to be as fabled as Xanadu and quite as remote. In essence, "Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies" is about the adventures of Rodger and Eli getting from nowhere to nowhere. Eli, a killer with the ladies at first, always leaves them unsatisfied. He seems to have a sex problem. Rodger spends a lot of his time getting his dad out of scrapes. He also drinks, smokes and goes to sleep at night crying for his deceased mom.
Insights
Plot Summary
In the early 20th century, a young man named Ace Eli works as a barnstorming pilot, dreaming of the open skies. He eventually acquires a rickety airplane and sets out on a series of aerial adventures. Along the way, he encounters various characters and situations that test his resolve and his passion for flying.
Critical Reception
This independent film garnered very little attention upon its release and remains largely obscure. It is primarily known within niche circles of aviation or independent film enthusiasts.
What Reviewers Say
- Appreciated for its nostalgic portrayal of early aviation.
- Seen as a low-budget, earnest effort with charm.
- Noted for its unique, albeit niche, subject matter.
Google audience: Audience reception is minimal due to the film's obscurity. Where reviews exist, they often highlight the film's dedication to its subject of early aviation.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on location in Northern California and features actual vintage aircraft from the era.
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