For the Moment

In the summer of 1942, Brandon, Manitoba becomes a hub as hundreds of young men descend for wartime training. Lill, a prairie farm wife, meets Lachlan Curry, a gallant Australian airman, through Johnny Crouch. Their shared moment at the base sparks a budding romance amid the pressures of war.

During a languid moment, Lachlan recites the poem High Flight to Lill, a motif that captures the essence of his airborne dreams. Lill recognizes the poem as something widely distributed after Magee’s death. The exchange deepens their connection and sets a tender tone for their relationship.

The circle around Lachlan expands to include Betsy, a bootlegging charmer with family ties, and Zeek Williams, the Chicago-born flight instructor. Their presence adds complexity to the romances forming at the air base. The group’s dynamics foreshadow the tensions of wartime life.

Scotty, the trainee who bunked next to Lachlan, commits suicide, underscoring the brutal pressures of training and war. Lachlan grapples with the shock and fear that such a loss represents for those around him. The event casts a pall over the tight-knit group.

Lill’s brother Dennis dies, a blow that drives Lill to end her relationship with Lachlan and prompts her sister Kate to cancel her wedding plans with Johnny. The family toll of war becomes painfully personal. The lovers must face the price of time and separation.

Zeek crashes on the edge of the field, and in his final moments he extracts a cruel promise from Lachlan. This secret burdens Lachlan as he navigates loyalty, duty, and truth. The incident marks a turning point in how he will proceed with his relationships.

Lachlan seeks Betsy to tell her what he had to do, revealing the moral tension born from Zeek’s demand. The moment tests trust and the ability to share painful truths. Betsy’s reaction becomes a barometer for the couple’s fragile bond.

The wings parade celebrates the trainees who earned their wings and prepares them for deployment to war. There is a sense of triumph tempered by the knowledge of what lies ahead for many. The event cements the end of their training period.

Kate remains loyal to Johnny, choosing to be there when he returns. This steadfast choice contrasts with the unresolved romance between Lachlan and Lill. Kate’s commitment provides a quiet anchor amid upheaval.

Across the parade square, Lachlan and Lill share a final, hushed goodbye. The moment is emblematic, punctuated by the phrase Lachlan has taught her, 'Fair dinkum.' They part with a lasting bond tempered by loss.

With the farewell behind them, the community faces the ongoing reality of war and the long separations ahead. The film leaves a lingering sense of uncertainty about who will return. The dynamic of love, duty, and sacrifice remains unresolved.

The poem High Flight threads through the narrative as a reminder of the airmen’s aspirations and the fleeting nature of time. Its presence stays with the characters long after the summer ends. The memory becomes a quiet, enduring tribute to those who lived through it.