‘The Tuskegee Airmen’ at American Centre

'The Tuskegee Airmen' an action-filled dramatization of the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first squadron of black American pilots to defend their country in World War II will be screened at 6 pm on February 19 at the American Centre, Galle Road, Colombo-03.

Directed by Robert Markowitz the film stars Laurence Fishburne, Allen Payne, Cuba Gooding Jr, John Lithgow and Andre Braugher. Using Hannibal Lee (Laurence Fishburne) as a focal point, the movie follows the airmen from their initial training at Tuskegee, Alabama, through their combat assignments during World War II. Featuring fascinating vintage military planes and exciting air-combat footage, the film also depicts racism encountered by the pilots.

In one example, the airmen are forced to give up their seats on a crowded train to German prisoners of war. Even after the airmen complete their training, the military brass is reluctant to trust them in battle.

But First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt publicizes their plight by going to Tuskegee and having one of the African-American pilots take her for a plane ride, and shortly thereafter the airmen are assigned a combat role. Eventually they join 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 screen story was co-authored by Robert Williams, one of the pilots trained at Tuskegee.