Review of The Arrow

I don't often say this about a motion picture, but this is an unsung classic. It tells the story of the Avro Arrow, the most advanced fighter aircraft of its day, designed, built, and produced in Canada. And about the politics that eventually destroyed it. The performances are good, and feature Dan Aykroyd in a surprisingly effective dramatic role. What I like most about this movie is it really works at giving one a sense of the tenor of the late 1950s, when the most amazing breakthroughs in aviation technology occurred, and engineers thought anything was possible. This movies' special effects are also first rate, well integrating stock footage with effects shots. It should be noted that radio-controlled models were used in the flying sequences instead of CGI. And it actually works in giving these scenes a more realistic flavor.

I will add that the film's opening is truly awe inspiring.