The story of the Tuskegee Airmen is finally flying to a theater near you.
"Red Tails," created by George Lucas, tells the story of the 99th pursuit squadron of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. The 99th was the first African-American pilot group, and they trained at the segregated Tuskegee Army Air Field.
Later coined the Tuskegee Airmen, the servicemen called themselves Red Tails because of the characteristic red paint on their fighter planes.
"The Tuskegee Airmen, in terms of the 'Red Tails' movie, has been more than the city ever imagined," said Tuskegee Mayor Omar Neal.
Guy Rhodes, an editor at the Tuskegee News, said the film is exciting because Lucas took on the challenge and invested his own money to make it happen.
"This is a major event in Tuskegee for the simple fact that this is where the Tuskegee Airmen originated," Rhodes said.
When the national historic site was dedicated in 2008, an estimated 400-500 airmen were still living, Rhodes said.
Presently in Macon County, only four airmen--one pilot and three supports--are living.
"Needless to say those people are quite excited," he said.
Lucas's pitch for the movie was originally turned down by Hollywood distributors because of fears it wouldn't be profitable.
"I think it's just sad to say that it wouldn't sell being that it's just a story about Americans," said Joshua Agee, sophomore in political science and historian of the Black Student Union. "It's a story of heroes."
Neal said although it's disheartening the story took so long to be made into a movie and was not wholly endorsed by Hollywood, he is appreciative of all who participated to make the film possible.
Because the film premiered in theaters Friday, a three-day event was held over the weekend at Tuskegee University.
Beginning Saturday and ending Monday, it included flight simulators, interviews with the original Tuskegee Airmen, actors from the film and six early screenings of the movie.
"This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat," Neal said. "It takes you through a crescendo of emotions. It gets you to think about what's really important."
Rhodes said the schedule for the weekend's events came together in the middle of last week, and even the security was hired by Lucas.
"This was a last-minute production," Rhodes said. "George Lucas's management company actually coordinated these activities."
Neal said the movie portrays Martin Luther King's belief in not judging a man by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.
"They were looked upon differently from the bombers because they were saving lives," Neal said. "So the antidote to racism is excellence."
Agee said looking back at the time period of World War II, everyone is seen as a role model.
"I'm just curious who is going to be the next red tails in our generation, in the present day," Agee said.
Rhodes said he's excited about more American citizens learning the story of the heroic airmen.
"Now, nationwide more and more people will know about the Tuskegee Airmen."
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