Jet Pilot is a 1957 Cold War-era drama/romance film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring John Wayne and Janet Leigh. The film follows U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Jim Shannon (John Wayne) as he is tasked with flying a dangerous mission to intercept a Soviet fighter jet.
The Soviet pilot turns out to be a woman named Anna (Janet Leigh), who claims to want to defect to the United States. As they spend time together, Shannon becomes infatuated with Anna and the two fall in love.
However, their relationship is complicated by the revelation that Anna is actually a Soviet spy sent to extract military secrets from Shannon. Despite this shocking revelation, Shannon decides to help Anna escape to the West and devises a reckless plan to do so.
The film features thrilling aerial scenes of fighter jets, as well as the romance between Shannon and Anna. The on-set chemistry between Wayne and Leigh was reportedly strained, as the two actors had very different approaches to acting. Nevertheless, they delivered solid performances in their respective roles.
Jet Pilot was not a commercial success upon its release and received mixed reviews from critics. However, it has since gained a cult following among fans of classic aviation films and Cold War-era dramas.