World War I action adventure focusing on America's first fighter pilots. The year is 1917, and the war is not going well for the allies. Although America has refused to enter the conflict, some of its more altruistic young men decide to take action. Blair Rawlings (James Franco) abandons his ranch and follows his dream to fly, opting to fight with his compatriots in France. Once there, he and the other volunteers are brought under the command of French Captain Thenault (Jean Reno), and war-weary American pilot Reed Cassidy (Martin Henderson). Initially shunned by their fellow aviators, new squadron the Lafayette Escadrille soon begin to earn the respect of their comrades as they develop into a fearsome fighting unit.