Thunder Birds (1942): cast, story & where to watch
1942 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1942, Thunder Birds is a drama, war and romance film directed by William A. Wellman, running about 78 minutes. “For two pilots, one woman became a conflict of interest.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. On a secluded base in Arizona, veteran World War I pilot Steve Britt trains flyers to fight in World War II. One of his trainees, Englishman Peter Stackhouse, competes with Britt for the affections of Kay Saunders, the daughter of a local rancher. Despite their differences, Britt makes sure Sutton passes his training and becomes a combat pilot -- even though he loses Kay to the young man in the process.
Who’s in it. Thunder Birds stars Gene Tierney as Kay Saunders, Preston Foster as Steve Britt, John Sutton as Peter Stackhouse and Jack Holt as Colonel MacDonald, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, Thunder Birds has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Thunder Birds page.
If you liked it. Fans of Thunder Birds tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Thunder Birds (1942)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Thunder Birds change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Thunder Birds worth watching?
- Thunder Birds holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, war and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Thunder Birds?
- Thunder Birds stars Gene Tierney, Preston Foster, John Sutton, Jack Holt and May Whitty.