The Fighting 69th

The Fighting 69th, 1940

Based on the real-life exploits of New York City’s 69th Infantry Regiment, The Fighting 69th tells the story of the American Expeditionary Force’s arrival in France in World War I through a tale of one soldier’s bravado, cowardice, and redemption.  James Cagney’s fictional character, Jerry Plunkett, first boasts of bravery before the shooting begins, but reveals cowardice in the face of battle, causing the unnecessary death of many of his comrades.  Filled with strong performances, The Fighting 69th is an entertaining and poignant film about America’s entry into the Great War.

Before the screening, join us for a tour of the new exhibition, Artist Soldiers: Artistic Expression in the First World War, which offers a very human perspective on the war through never-before-seen artwork created by soldiers in World War I. Exhibition curator Peter Jakab will lead the tour, which starts at 6:30 pm.  

Request free tickets for the Fighting 69th screening at our location in Washington, DC, using the ticket form below.

This film will also be shown at the same time at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.  Request tickets for the Fighting 69th screening at the Udvar-Hazy Center. 

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About the Film Series

Movies have always shaped our cultural memory of historical events, and World War I has been a rich subject for filmmakers. Hollywood Goes to War: World War I on the Big Screen, a year-long film series, presents the most visually striking and engaging dramas set during the First World War ever made. Once a month, join us as we screen Hollywood’s finest feature films on World War I and explore how the war and its far-reaching effects have been represented and interpreted on the big screen.

This film series is part of the National Air and Space Museum’s observance of the hundredth anniversary of the First World War.