John Wayne and Janet Leigh star in this spy-drama set during the Cold War. The USA and the Soviet Union are mortal enemies an 'iron curtain' divides the free world from Communism. But for an ace American Air Force pilot, played by John Wayne, frosty international relations begin to thaw as the sparks of romance flicker following an encounter with a very attractive lady from the wrong side of the iron curtain. Wayne, the embodiment of American values, sticks to his guns, but temptation and duty can sometimes be hard to reconcile...
Alternative presentations: the 1.37:1 version, as von Sternberg originally intended; and the 1.85:1 version, as the film was eventually exhibited in cinemas
Something in the Air (2023, 30 mins): in-depth analysis of Jet Pilot's protracted production and release by critic and programmer Tony Rayns
The Town (1943, 12 mins): Josef von Sternberg's contribution to the war effort, a short film about a typical small town in the US, made as part of The American Scene film series
Textless opening sequence
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
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