Product guide

Only Angels Have Wings — Criterion Collection DVD

Only Angels Have Wings from the Criterion Collection is a widescreen DVD of Howard Hawks's adventure drama, starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Rita Hayworth. Its special features include a new 4K digital restoration, interviews, a film scholars' program, a radio adaptation and an essay.

At a glance

A South American airmail pilot runs a service through dangerous mountain terrain, drawing in a traveling entertainer during her stopover.
The listing describes a new 4K digital restoration for this DVD edition. That restoration description does not make the disc a 4K format.
Extras include audio excerpts from a 1972 Howard Hawks and Peter Bogdanovich conversation, an interview with critic David Thomson and a program on Hawks's aviation movies.
Also listed are the 1939 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation, a trailer and an essay by critic Michael Sragow.

Price

$14.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$29.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Often bought together

The Awful Truth (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

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Pros and cons

Pros

The feature package combines the restored film with several film-history extras, including a period radio adaptation and commentary-related material.
The cast brings together Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Rita Hayworth, with Howard Hawks directing.

Technical specifications

13 specifications

Film and format
Genre	Action & Adventure
Format	NTSC, Widescreen
Language	English
Runtime	2 hours and 1 minute
Rating	NR (Not Rated)
Disc count	1

Credits
Director	Howard Hawks
Actors	Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth
Contributors	Cary Grant, Howard Hawks, Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth

Edition details
Model number	2606
Release date	April 12, 2016
Studio	Criterion Collection (Direct)

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.72 ounces

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers collecting Criterion DVDs or Howard Hawks films.
Classic-film audiences interested in aviation stories, ensemble acting and supplementary film-history material.

Less suited to

Buyers specifically seeking a Blu-ray or 4K disc. The listed format is DVD, and the 4K reference is to the restoration.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 409 ratings

5 stars81%81%
4 stars8%8%
3 stars7%7%
2 stars1%1%
1 star3%3%

Customer feedback describes the film as a classic and highlights the acting, Cary Grant's performance, its mix of humor and sadness, the story and flight scenes. Some comments also praise the remastered picture as sharp. This aligns with the listing's restoration claim, though customer impressions do not establish playback quality for every setup. Overall ratings skew strongly positive, but aggregate ratings cannot explain individual reservations.

Positive themes

Customer feedback praises the acting and Cary Grant's performance.
Customers describe the film as a classic and appreciate its humor, story and flight scenes.
Some feedback praises the remastered picture as sharp.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a 4K disc?

No 4K disc format is listed. This is a DVD, and the 4K wording describes the digital restoration.

What bonus material is listed?

The listing includes conversation excerpts, a David Thomson interview, a program about Hawks and aviation movies, a 1939 radio adaptation, a trailer and an essay.

Who stars in the film?

The listed actors are Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Rita Hayworth, with Howard Hawks as director.