This independent film produced by one Art Diamond was a vehicle for another Diamond named Bobby. After the Fury series ended young Bobby Diamond was footloose and this was no doubt to be a film that would establish him on the big screen. Bobby Diamond for the rest of his career until he became a lawyer would be cast in these youthful roles.
Diamond is a youthful volunteer for the Airborne service, wanting to be a paratrooper like his uncle who saw service in World War II. But this kid makes Gomer Pyle look like Noel Coward. His character is impossibly naive.
Airborne is not much more than a recruiting film for the Airborne Rangers. It was shot at Fort Bragg and many officers and enlistees at the time play roles here. Having been a weekend warrior a decade later almost, I can testify to the fact that country kids like Bobby Diamond's character are the rule, not the exception in the army. Knowing that fact and seeing the way he was teased because of his country ways just rings too impossibly untrue.
Airborne may have been shot at Fort Bragg, but it was shot on a minuscule budget. The side romance for Diamond could have been done away with, the film just should have concentrated on the training.
The film is dedicated to the 82nd Airborne, but the 82nd Airborne deserves a whole lot better.
