Ace of Aces (1933 film)

Ace of Aces is a 1933 American pre-Code war film directed by J. Walter Ruben and starring Richard Dix, Elizabeth Allan, and Ralph Bellamy. The film tells the story of a World War I pilot, Rocky Thorne (Richard Dix), who becomes a celebrated ace. However, he is haunted by the guilt of accidentally killing a German pilot who was his friend before the war. He returns home a hero but struggles to reconcile his wartime actions with civilian life, battling post-traumatic stress and ultimately returning to the skies in a desperate attempt to find peace. The film explores themes of war, guilt, redemption, and the psychological impact of combat on soldiers. It is notable for its aerial combat sequences and its portrayal of the emotional toll of war, which was relatively uncommon in films of the era.