Wings is a WWI epic directed by William Wellman. Wellman had been a pilot in the Lafayette Escadrille during the war, and used his experience to make the definitive film about WWI air combat. It's about two guys (Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen) in love with the same girl (Jobyna Ralston, who starred in some of Harold Lloyd's best comedies). The girl loves Arlen, but Rogers thinks she loves him. Rogers is oblivious to the fact that his friend and fellow car enthusiast Clara Bow (the 'It' girl) is in love with him.
The two enlist to fight as pilots and though rivals, they become fast friends. The air scenes are exhilarating because they were shot from the air. Wellman had cameras mounted in front of or behind the actors' heads while an unseen pilot actually flies the plane. So, you feel you are seeing actual air combat with no silly back projection. The climax of the film left my wife in tears. The new Blu-ray is spectacular. If you see it, see that version, either on Blu or DVD. Previous releases only had an organ score.
While on the subject of silent WWI films, also try King Vidor's The Big Parade, starring matinee idol John Gilbert. it has never been released on DVD or Blu-ray, but it shows up on TCM. It's another movie with a tearjerker (though sweet) ending.
With a rousing review like that, I’ll definitely have to check out Wings.