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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
If you have a weird obsession with early aviation or just want to see what Ethiopia looked like a century ago, sure, give it a whirl. But if you’re looking for a narrative, look elsewhere. Stay away if you need a plot to keep you awake.
Watching Wings Over Ethiopia feels less like watching a movie and more like leafing through your grandfather’s box of slides in a dark attic. It’s got that specific, scratchy quality that makes you feel like you’re breathing in dust.
The plane footage is honestly pretty cool. Seeing those old crates bounce over the landscape makes my stomach flip just thinking about the lack of safety belts. ✈️
There is a lot of mule riding. Like, an aggressive amount of mule riding. I lost count after the first twenty minutes. They clearly wanted to show off the terrain, but I think I’ve seen enough of the back of a mule’s head to last a lifetime.
The narration is... well, it’s very 1930s. It’s got that booming, overly confident voice that makes everything sound like a history textbook. It reminded me a bit of the stiff, formal tone you get in Just a Minute, though at least that had a bit more snap to it.
There’s a strange, quiet moment where they film a village market. The camera just sits there. No one is telling the people what to do. You can see one guy scratching his chin in the background for way too long. It’s those little, unscripted bits that actually kept me watching.
This movie doesn't really have a 'point' in the way we expect today. It just happens. It shows up, shows you some mountains, a few markets, and then it’s done. It’s not trying to be À nous la liberté with its social commentary or anything.
It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a weirdly honest record. Just don't expect to be entertained in the usual sense. 🌍