The Dawn Patrol (1938) User Reviews

Flynn shines in serious drama of WWI aviators...

[Doylenf · 7/10 · 12 April 2005]

DAWN PATROL was a forerunner of the "men facing war" kind of dramas that became a steady source of entertainment in books and films of the decades that followed, particularly after WWII.

But this takes place during World War I in 1915, when aviation was still young and men in the flying machines were sent into battle against greater odds than anyone could imagine.

Basil Rathbone plays the commander breaking under pressure who has to see young men under his command die in battle against the Germans. He is delighted to be relieved of his command by the young flier who has been chiding him for sending inexperienced men into battle--Errol Flynn.

Flynn soon finds himself hounded by the same sort of pressures facing Rathbone. His best friend (David Niven) is a fun loving pal who has a change of heart when his younger brother (well played by Morton Lowry), turns up for immediate duty despite a scant amount of training. Under Flynn's orders, the boy goes into battle the following day and is killed. This event sets up the dramatic conclusion which has Flynn willing to sacrifice himself and single-handedly take on a most dangerous mission across enemy lines.

Edmund Goulding keeps the story going from one excellent scene to another and all of the performances are first rate. Donald Crisp is less stuffy than usual in a good supporting role.

But it's Errol Flynn who makes the strongest impression in a role that calls for some fine moments of acting. His emotions seem genuine and his performance is crisp and mature. Indeed, one of his best performances in a well written role.

The ultimate message of the film is the anguish and futility of war and it comes across without being preachy. Definitely a Flynn film that is well worth watching.

surprisingly engaging.....

[tripper0 · 8/10 · 14 May 2002]

I don't have a lot to say about this movie. Errol Flynn is excellent as Captain Courtney, and the rest of the cast is excellent in their roles. That didn't surprise me. What surprised me was two things. First, how the British flying aces in World War I contend with the harsh realities of war, specifically the deaths of their friends and the decisions that had to be made to send more men to their deaths (excellently portrayed by Basil Rathbone as Major Brand). Whats most impressive, however, is how engaging the air sequences were. They were ahead of their time and they hold up rather well today. I just saw Pearl Harbour, and I would say the Dawn Patrol is more exciting. It holds up well today, and if you get a chance, give it a watch. 8 out of 10.

Superior clone of the 1930 version

[NavyOrion · 8/10 · 24 January 2012]

This is a stirring and exciting story of the courage shown by pilots who know they or their friends will likely be killed on one of their missions, and the anguish their commanders feel when sending them to their deaths. Set on the battlefields of WWI, the plot duplicates the 1930 version starring Douglass Fairbanks, Jr. In fact, whole sequences (especially flying scenes and the climactic attack) were lifted directly from the earlier film. (Note: although the 1930 version was originally entitled "Flight Command," and is occasionally screened under that title by TCM, IMDb also calls it "Dawn Patrol," probably to distinguish it from the 1940 Robert Taylor "Flight Command" about Navy pilots.)

Although it's a close call, I would recommend this later film over its predecessor, for the superior performances of the lead actors. Errol Flynn (as Dick Courtney) was more involving than 1930's Richard Barthelmess, a veteran actor whose performance retains the somewhat stilted quality of the silent film era. While Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was excellent in the 1930 version as pilot Doug Scott, David Niven in the same role positively sparkles in several more light-hearted, even comedic scenes. And although Neil Hamilton played Major Brand well in the original film, at least early on in the story, the role calls for a less-sympathetic performance, and who could be less sympathetic than Basil Rathbone at his sneery best?

Furthermore, current (as of 2012) releases of 1930's "Flight Command / Dawn Patrol" are not as visually clear in all scenes as the later version, and also have a lot of scratchy sounds and low rumble in the soundtrack, which are especially distracting in quieter scenes. Hopefully, remastered versions of both films will someday be available.

Still, this is only nit-picking, as both the 1930 and 1938 versions of "Dawn Patrol" are excellent. But given the choice, go with Flynn and Niven of 1938.

Exciting & Anguishing Film About "the next man who dies"

[mlktrout · 10/10 · 20 April 2004]

I first saw this movie when I was 16, and didn't understand a lot of its subtleties; I just thought it was an exciting & dramatic war film with a lot of great flying sequences. I caught it again when I was 34 and was surprised at its depth.

I like to watch this movie whenever my own job gets crazy and hectic, with unrealistic deadlines and insufficient support, because it reminds me that I really don't have it so bad after all. The men in this movie were sent up daily in obsolete equipment in a bad state of disrepair; as the film progressed the squadron had about a 70% turnover as the combat veterans were shot down and replaced by green kids whose limited training could not possibly have prepared them for what they would face.

The characters are all dissected, even lesser, supporting roles receive excellent character studies, and the stars of course are downright fascinating. It's a thrill to learn that Errol Flynn (Captain Courtney) really could act, as well as just jump around and wave a sword; David Niven is wonderfully innocent and almost childlike as "Scotty," and Basil Rathbone, a truly great actor who seldom got the chance to strut his stuff since he was usually typecast as a "bad guy" or as Sherlock Holmes, gives a nerve-wrenching performance as Major Brand, who's floundering under the strain. He proves a profound point -- it is often easier to go to your own death than to order others to do so, a lesson Captain Courtney and Lt. Scott must reluctantly learn as well.

I'm now 44, and have seen this movie a couple dozen times, but it never ages. The flying sequences are still exciting; the chivalry and wild antics of the fliers never becomes tiresome or old, and the anguish of war is still as heartbreaking. Truly a movie that will last.

Errol Flynn's Best Performance

[bob-1075 · 5 July 2004]

The Dawn Patrol - based on a book my John Monk Saunders is the story of a RFC squadron in France during the Great War.

If has three good central performances - Basil Rathbone showing an array of hyper tense emotions - David Niven changing from a happy go lucky drunken fool to a hardened leader of men and the best, by far, Errol Flynn as a guilt ridden hero whose nerves are torn to shreds.

Flynn has had so much bad press over the years and people forget that he was a great actor in the early days. This film demonstrates that superbly. There are no women in this film, no distractions. It's about men up against it, and having to watch their comrades die needlessly against overwhelming odds.

The film has moments of silence, laughter, terror all mixed together with some superb skewed camera angles in the mess to give a feeling of drunken hopelessness.

Flynn's relief at seeing Niven when he thought he was dead is a moving performance. His quiet moments when he talks about England, his control when trying to convince Nivens younger brother to go up for the first time - these scenes show real presence and talent. You feel for him and all around him.

Coming out just before the beginning of WW2 it would have given the home audiences great understanding of what they faced - a hard and bloody task, where young men will die as surely as the older ones will order them to fight.

This film should be reissued on DVD and shown around the world - it's that good. Let's write some more scripts like this and start making some decent films again.

Since the aerial stuff was already done.............................

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 1 June 2007]

Warner Brothers more than most of the other major studios had a habit of simply recycling the old plots of their films and repackaging them. A good example would be the boxing film Kid Galahad remade a few years later as The Wagons Roll at Night with the setting now changed to a circus. But in this case we didn't get a remake of The Dawn Patrol, we got practically a carbon copy.

I finally saw the original The Dawn Patrol that was made in 1930 by Howard Hawks and found that this film was practically a word for word remake of the Hawks classic. Of course it was no surprise to learn that all the aviation sequences were just lifted bodily from the first film, but probably more than that was done. Several long-shots looked exactly the same.

In a way this might have worked out because director Edmund Goulding who was not known for action films could concentrate on the actors and he got very good performances out of Errol Flynn, David Niven, and Basil Rathbone who step into the parts that Richard Barthelmess, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Neil Hamilton did the first time around.

Still after seeing first one version, than the other, one might be complaining of double vision at that.

Errol in the air

[jjnxn-1 · 7/10 · 8 May 2013]

Clear eyed depiction of the cost and dangers for bombers during wartime. Errol Flynn is very good, a reminder that he was excellent not only in period pictures and westerns but quite capable in modern dress dramas. Strong supporting cast helps with Basil Rathbone standing out as a man who understands but is troubled by the weight of his duty even while others do not and is compassionate enough when the that weight has shifted to offer solace. David Niven's star moved much higher with his performance here, it would still be a few years before he moved into the top ranks but he was done with unimportant roles from this point on. Goulding's direction is steady and assured.

One of the very best of all war films

[d1494 · 10/10 · 29 January 2002]

The Dawn Patrol, one of Director Eddie Goulding's very finest, is as tense and tightly wound as the characters it portrays, who face the awful question, 'what is maximum effort', how much can a man give in combat before breaking? The story revolves around the vividly drawn characters of Lt. Scott,'Scotty', played by David Niven in one of his most genuine performances, and that of his chum, Captain Courtney, well played by Errol Flynn. Together the two friends face death each day in machines held together by 'spit and baling wire' and each night drink themselves into oblivion. Their antics contrast with the concern that is eating at their commanding officer, Major Brand, wonderfully portrayed by Basil Rathbone. Brand is visibly cracking under the strain, while the oblivious Courtney and Scott play at war, seemingly unconcerned by death or anything else. Paired with Brand is the unflappable Phipps, presented by stalwart character actor Donald Crisp. It is Crisp, who is finally made to express the film's underlying anti-war theme, questioning the point of sending all the fine young men to their deaths, "...and for what?", he asks though no answer is forthcoming. The tension is expertly broken by comic interludes of genuine hilarity as well as great scenes of World War air combat. One sees a reflection of Renoir's 'Rules of the Game', when a German pilot, who is thought to have killed Scotty, is brought in to meet Courtney, who shot him down and they show each other the mutual respect and chivalry that still crossed the no-mans land between the two sides. Like '12 0'Clock High'

its World War II counterpart, this film puts the viewer under the skins of these men as they face death. No phony posturing or heroics, no masks, just humanity faced with something which, ultimately is inhuman. This intelligent and questioning film is at the very top of my list of great war films, and is an absolute must see for new generations of movie goers.

An excellent film about the anguish commanders have when sending pilots into battle and how the pilots cope with their fear and anger.

[Art-22 · 7/10 · 12 November 1998]

Wartime commanders have the nasty job of sending men to do battle, often resulting in their death. In this film, flight commander Basil Rathbone gets telephone orders from the high command for the morning flights, and relays these to squadron commander Errol Flynn, who has the unenviable job of picking the men for the job. Complaining about the men's inexperience or the rickety planes does no good, since it is their duty to do as they are told, and everyone obeys. On this particular day, Flynn has to pick two replacement pilots who have little experience, which often means their death. It was odd to hear one pilot who was not picked remark "Lucky devils" as the two who were picked entered their planes, when I thought "Poor devils." This show of bravado seems to be just a mask for their fear. We hear the men often singing a song with a last line ending "Hoorah for the next man who dies."

I never fully understood the relationship enemy pilots had with one another in films set during WWI. They often did not behave as hated enemies, but rather as part of an elite club. There is a telling and very dramatic scene where a downed and captured German pilot, Carl Esmond, is brought into the quarters where the pilots gather to drink and sing. He was the one who shot down David Niven, thought to be dead, and was, in turn, shot down by Flynn. Flynn's face turns grim as he walks toward the man who he thought just killed his best friend. It looked like Flynn was going to take a poke at him, but he smiles, takes his hand and drinks a toast with him. Only Peter Willes, whose two friends were recently killed in combat, lets his true feelings surface as he lunges at Esmond and has to be forcibly restrained. He then blasts at Flynn: "You laugh with him - joke with him - a man that just murdered your best friend. He's dead! You know that, don't you! Don't you! And so is Blaine and Madchen, my best friends. They're dead! They aren't coming home anymore! I believe you've forgotten Scotty already." These were my sentiments exactly (and probably the writer's). When Niven walks in very much alive and meets the man who nearly killed him, they hug and drink a toast together!

As fate would have it, the realities of possible death shake up both Flynn and Niven. Flynn is made flight commander and is ordered to put every available man in the air to stave off a big push by the Germans. And one of the new replacements is Niven's kid brother, Morton Lowry, with only nine hours of training experience. Nivens pleads with Flynn not to send him up, but there can be no exceptions and orders must be followed. To make matters worse, the feared German flying ace, Von Richter (Norman Willis), has joined the German flying force. Lowry didn't have a chance, and his death causes a deep rift in Niven's and Flynn's friendship. It is mended weeks later when Niven volunteers for a near suicide mission to fly alone and bomb a German armament dump 60 kilometers inside the German lines. Flynn gets Niven drunk and goes in his place, but three German planes, including one piloted by Von Richter, goes after him.

Basil's Satisfactory Revenge On Errol

[theowinthrop · 10/10 · 12 September 2005]

I have often felt that had history been kinder there would have been no major wars affecting the globe after 1918. The pacifist spirit that hit most of the states in the west was due to the size of the casualty rates suffered by the major states in the war. It was sufficient to cause massive re-considerations by the U.S., England, and France about military cut-backs, and (in fact) in 1921 the Washington Naval Conference did lead to the top allied powers (six actually - they included little Belgium) to reduce the size of their navies were based on proportions. In 1925 there was a "spirit of Locarno" as France and Germany under Aristide Briand and Gustave Stresseman began a road to rapprochement. In 1928 Briand and U.S. Secretary of State Frank Kellogg created the Kellogg-Briand Pact outlawing warfare (which is still used as the basis for war crimes trials).

Of course the rise of Fascist, Nazi, and Communist regimes and the great depression wrecked the entire pacifist movement. Mussolini, Hitler, and the Japanese felt pacifist views mirrored weakness, and dismissed them. And the resulting war of 1939 - 1945 was more bloody and horrifying than the Great War had been. And even that war has not been the last one of the 20th or 21st Centuries.

One reflection of the pacifism and hatred of war is found in the movies and plays of the inter-war years, like THE ROAD TO GLORY which showed the bloodshed and uselessness of the trench warfare in France (it is worthy to watch that film with PATHS OF GLORY to see how hopeless that trench warfare was). Other films like this were JOURNEY'S END, THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK, and this film, DAWN PATROL.

DAWN PATROL tells the story of a British aerodrome on the western front. It is commanded by Major Brand (Basil Rathbone - in one of his most human roles). Brand's two best fighter pilots are Captain Courtney (Errol Flynn) and Lieutenant Scott (David Niven). Both of them tend to create there own rules but they do a spectacular job at fighting the Germans effectively. Rathbone, however, has dozens of other young pilots who are sent to the aerodrome, but become fodder for the German fighter pilots. Flynn and Niven keep knocking him about this - they feel he has no real feelings, and so he is beneath contempt as a bloody butcher. They don't realize that Rathbone actually hates sending up these young boys to die. When alone or with his assistant Phipps (Donald Crisp) he shows the strain which for the sake of the company's morale he hides elsewhere. He tries to find ways to reduce the problem. One way is rigid adherence to the rules (which is another reason Flynn and Niven despise him).

Then, after one of their escapades does substantial damage to the Germans, Flynn and Niven are amazed to find that Rathbone's normal threats of court-martial is dimmed by a telephone call that leaves him temporarily speechless and then laughing hysterically. Headquarters was so impressed by what Flynn and Niven did that they are promoting Rathbone to Colonel, and sending him to the headquarters staff (so he does not have to be so emotionally torn anymore). But best, he is given the power to choose his successor. He promotes Flynn to Major and commander of the aerodrome, and Niven to Captain.

Flynn starts going through the tortures of the damned now. He did not expect this action, and he is not ready for sending young boys (including Morton Lowry as Niven's brother) to their death. Naturally the friendship with Niven suffers - especially after the death of Lowry. Rathbone returns a few months later - and finds Flynn is no longer so devil-may-care nor as critical (how can he be - he knows better now). Rathbone is not jubilant at the success of his revenge - he notes it quietly. This is the only Flynn - Rathbone film where Basil came out on top, and it wasn't by fighting with swords.

The film shows how the war machine just mindlessly ground up a whole generation of youth in Europe. Only by being aware of the proper tricks of aerial warfare (which took months) did any pilot stand a chance of survival. But the turnover rate was due to the stupid view that massive numbers of men (even poorly trained ones) would guarantee the victory of the Allies in the skies (or on land for that matter).

The film has a very realistic feel of what that dreadful situation was like. Even the use of a fictionalized Von Richtofen (Von Richter here) suggests the reality. Von Richtofen (and the German air force, for that matter) had a better training method than the allies until 1918. Until the Red Baron died the Germans did control the skies for the most part.

War?

[LeonLouisRicci · 7/10 · 13 October 2012]

One of the last movies before WWII to have a "futility of war" theme like All quiet on the Western Front (1930). The nobility and bravery of these fliers would continue, but the negative psychological effects of men in war and the philosophical discussion of war itself would have to wait until the war that came after the war to end all wars.

There are some outstanding aerial bombing scenes and dogfights (from the original 1930 Howard Hawks film) and the remake script called for some difficult acting and the entire cast delivers. Some say this is Errol Flynn's best performance and showed his seldom used ability to deliver a great real role with emotion and humanism, and that he was more than a handsome star with a seductive smile.

Roaring through the dawn

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 3 March 2017]

Being someone who likes Errol Flynn, David Niven and Basil Rathbone and who has liked/loved a good deal of the films of all three, 'The Dawn Patrol' is a must watch for anybody who likes either actor or all three and for anybody who likes war films.

A remake of the 1930 Howard Hawks film, this is hardly inferior (quite the opposite). Even with scenes lifted from the earlier film, it's a good-looking film, is very nicely shot and has a good deal of authentic atmosphere. Edmund Goulding's direction is very much assured while pacing scenes in a methodical but never overly so way. Max Steiner's score is lushly orchestrated and stirring.

'The Dawn Patrol' has a gripping script, making its points without veering into heavy-handedness while the story is ceaselessly compelling, perfectly conveying the futility and passion of war, the comrades' horrors and conflicts and showing grace even under pressure.

Characters are not stereotypes in any way, instead compellingly real characters with human and relatable conflicts. The sterling supporting cast has Donald Crisp in particular standing out, but the three leads are what make 'The Dawn Patrol' particularly worth watching.

Rathbone has rarely been more tortured and Niven epitomises innocent grace, but it's Flynn's film in a performance that's genuinely moving (proof that he could act and had more range than given credit for when allowed).

In summary, a wonderful and powerful film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Good Remake, but not better

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 5 July 2014]

In France for service in the Great War (aka World War I), handsome pilot Errol Flynn (as Dick Courtney) and pal David Niven (as Doug "Scotty" Scott) clash with commander Basil Rathbone (as Drake Brand) over his decisions to send young fliers out on suicide missions in rickety planes. But, with the Germans active nearby, Mr. Rathbone has limited options. Taking the lead, Mr. Flynn decides to go over Rathbone's head, completing a foolish mission with Mr. Niven co-piloting. Rathbone threatens to have him court-martialed, but a worse fate awaits Flynn – he is quickly promoted to commander of "The Dawn Patrol". Now in charge, Flynn must order young fliers out on suicide missions in rickety planes...

This is close re-make of the Warner Bros. own "The Dawn Patrol" (1930), with its most exciting aerial footage simply flown in (figuratively) from the previous film. While a more crude production, the earlier film is superior. The 1930 version captures the story's sense of war dread far better. In the original, a sense of doom permeates everything, even when the characters are having a good time. Original stars Richard Barthelmess (as Courtney) and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (as Scott) acted like characters trying to drown the horror of war by carousing in drink. They seemed tortured. Here, at times, Flynn and Niven look more like actors having fun with their roles. An exception, Rathbone keeps a serious foundation.

****** The Dawn Patrol (12/23/38) Edmund Goulding ~ Errol Flynn, David Niven, Basil Rathbone, Donald Crisp

Dawn Patrol-It's Honor and Duty Above All **1/2

[edwagreen · 5/10 · 4 February 2009]

Flying aces go out on World War 1 missions, while they know that many of them shall not return, especially the younger inexperienced pilots.

Basil Rathbone is the squadron leader who appears to be sadistic in handing out the assignments. David Niven and Errol Flynn are at his throat regarding this. To get even with them, when Rathbone is promoted, he recommends Flynn as his replacement. Who comes along? Niven's younger brother, inexperienced and ready to fly. Obviously, Niven doesn't want him up in the air but there is nothing that Flynn can do. We have to follow orders, and it's duty above all. You don't have to be a wizard to next guess what occurs and who is blamed for this.

Flynn takes to the skies to since he is upset with what happened to Niven's brother.

This patriotic movie is a good one but is quite obvious from beginning to end.

Interesting that this 1938 film starred Flynn, Rathbone and Melville Cooper. They all were in the Robin Hood film that same year.

Flynn in Excellent Drama of WWI Aviators...

[cariart · 3 September 2003]

THE DAWN PATROL, Errol Flynn's final film of his busiest year as an actor (1938), is a fascinating counterpoint to his usual swashbuckling and light comic roles. A remake of Howard Hawks' 1930 classic, this is a tale of war-weary WWI aviators, called upon to risk their lives daily, in broken-down aircraft, on missions they consider impossible (a timeless war theme that would reappear in such WWII classics as COMMAND DECISION and TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH). Directed by WWI veteran Edmund Goulding, best known for his big-budget romances (GRAND HOTEL), the film counterpoints the gritty, harsh realities on the ground with the nearly surreal quality of early air battles, as bi-planes with open cockpits whirl and swoop like insects, and enemy airmen would occasionally drop out possessions of dead pilots over airfields, in a chivalrous gesture.

Fellow pilots Courtney and Scott (portrayed by real-life friends Flynn and David Niven, again showing the rapport they had demonstrated so effectively in 1936's THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE) are battle-tested veterans, hell-raising survivors of a squadron decimated by the war. Seeing a constant influx of 'green' kids replacing lost friends, and knowing too well that the rookies' inexperience will quickly cost them their lives, the pair vent their anger against their commander, the coldly 'by-the-book' Maj. Brand (in a remarkable performance by frequent Flynn nemesis, Basil Rathbone). Courtney constantly condemns and belittles Maj. Brand, accusing him of placing 'The Mission' over the lives of the men under his command, which makes Courtney a hero in the eyes of the fliers.

Finally, Brand cracks, and is approved for reassignment, and Courtney is chosen to replace him. In a powerful scene, Brand lets his cold 'facade' down, and reveals, bitterly, to the younger man that seeing his men sent on suicide missions, daily, had literally crushed him. Unknown to the squadron, Brand had constantly begged HQ to ease up, but had been 'shot down' each time, as the missions were essential. "Now it's YOUR turn," Brand sneers, "See how YOU enjoy it!"

Brand's words are prophetic, as Courtney quickly discovers himself in the same situation, as the despised scapegoat, with Scott assuming the role of spokesperson and savior to the squadron. And the most dangerous mission yet has just come down from HQ...

DAWN PATROL is a powerful film, with great performances from the entire cast, particularly Flynn, who had often begged the WB to give him roles beyond his 'swashbuckler' image. The critical praise it garnered proved Flynn's versatility as an actor (although public demand would keep him 'locked' into adventure films), and raised David Niven up to 'star' status.

It remains one of the BEST films about the 'Great War', and shouldn't be missed!

Incredibly realistic and touching WWI movie

[HotToastyRag · 9/10 · 15 February 2018]

Although I'm a classic movie aficionado and have seen more old movies than anyone I've ever met, I'd only ever seen Errol Flynn in a bit part in the Doris Day comedy It's a Great Feeling. So, for all intents and purposes, I'd never seen an Errol Flynn movie until I rented The Dawn Patrol. After only a few minutes of absorbing his performance, I was filled with awe and admiration. I haven't gone on a renting spree just yet, but I look forward to watching many more of his films in the time to come.

All Quiet on the Western Front is often hailed as the greatest WWI movie ever made, but now I have a new favorite. In The Dawn Patrol, Basil Rathbone is in charge of a flying squadron and is forced to send his boys off on high risk missions. More often than not, the boys don't make it home, and there's a constant influx of new recruits whom Basil and Captain Errol Flynn have to train and prepare for the worst. This is a very unusual method of storytelling, putting the audience on pins and needles every time someone flies out, and filling them with sadness every time new characters grace the screen.

There's a very natural camaraderie between the men, and most acutely between Errol Flynn and fellow soldier David Niven. They were close friends in real life, and when the camera captures their scenes, it feels like it's projecting backstage footage instead of scripted dialogue. The soldiers have more of a brotherly bond than in any other war movie I've ever seen. In singling out the leading men for their performances, I fear I'll be slighting the young boys with smaller parts; everyone in this movie gives very heart-wrenching and realistic performances. There are times when it's hard to watch, but it's an extremely well-made, well-acted film.

I was very surprised at Errol Flynn's acting style. I'd expected him to overact like silent movie stars or at least ham up his scenes like a classic swashbuckler. His delivery and expressions were so realistic and modern, it's a wonder he even knew how to give such a performance, since no one else in that era did. I have a strong desire to rent The Last of Robin Hood, because I'm sure Kevin Kline will give a perfect imitation of Errol Flynn. Not only is the physical resemblance striking, but the subtlest of expressions and mannerisms are also mirrored. It was almost as if Errol Flynn were giving a Kevin Kline impression!

Obviously, I highly recommend this movie, even though parts of it are very sad and remind us of the tragedies of war. It's a wonderful old movie to watch if you don't normally like old movies, because besides the color scheme, it doesn't even feel like you're watching one.

Brave young pilots who defended their country in WW1

[lora64 · 10/10 · 1 September 2001]

A very action-packed drama about First World War British flyers and the risky aerial fighting they undertook. So many young pilots rose to the challenge but flew off in matchstick planes to face a deadly enemy in the sky. We share with them the revelries and tragedies met daily by this small group of flyers, most of whom didn't come back.

It's wonderful to see so many superb actors in a modern day setting for a change, playing in modern wartime roles -- a nice change from the usual pirate pics and westerns we've known them for.

Aviation during WW1 was a time of raw courage, luck, and a devil-may-care outlook on life. Errol Flynn, as Captain Courtney, reflects aloud in some pensive moments about the futility of waging war but it's a brutal reality and must be dealt with, which he does so bravely.

David Niven, as Scotty, turns in a good supportive performance and in the end of the story learns to take on a commander's responsibilities. Actually, in real life Niven also rejoined the army in WW2 and acquired honors along the way, still retaining his popularity in movies during and after the war.

"How many fine chaps will die in this war and in future wars?" -- lines spoken by Phipps (Donald Crisp) seem to warn of the oncoming Second World War.

Now in our new century let's hope we never see those clouds of war on such an enormous scale hanging over England and Europe ever again. An excellent film on heroism in wartime.

SOMETHING TO GET UP EARLY UP FOR...!

[masonfisk · 7/10 · 12 November 2018]

A remake of a 1930 film which involved RAF pilots during WWI. Starring Errol Flynn & David Niven as a pair of friends who must navigate the perilous trials of their air missions during a time when combat was at its most primitive & dangerous. Raw or 'green' recruits are in constant rotation since they lose their lives due to fear or lack of training. This becomes an added burden for the aces who must take them under their wing & constantly have to bicker w/their higher ups for more time which never seems to be available. Succeeding in capturing the anxiousness of war & frustrations of the battle, Flynn & Niven are never less than perfect w/ample support from Basil Rathbone who plays their conflicted commander.

"Here's to the Next Man that Dies..."

[The_Other_Snowman · 9/10 · 10 August 2013]

"The Dawn Patrol" came out at a strange time: a few years later and it would have been a product of Warner Bros' propaganda department, matching a vicious enemy against selfless heroes. But in 1938 war was still a long way from Hollywood, so instead we get one of the last great anti-war films of the Golden Age.

The cast, as usual, is superlative. Errol Flynn and David Niven are friends and drinking buddies (in real life as well as on screen) in the Royal Flying Corps, straining against the strict discipline of their commanding officer, Basil Rathbone. Rathbone gets a different sort of role: rather than the sneering villain, he portrays a sympathetic character torn apart by his duty to his superiors and his responsibility to the men he commands. In fact, the same dramatic arc afflicts Flynn and Niven in time, and the three great actors turn in some of the best performances of their careers.

The flying scenes of "Dawn Patrol" lack the scale of "Hell's Angels" or "Wings", and a lot of scenes were lifted directly from a 1930 film of the same name, directed by Howard Hawks. The California scenery distracts a little from the verisimilitude, but the squadrons of vintage Nieuport 28's and other aircraft should make up for any shortcomings in the locations. The meat of the story takes place on the ground -- unlike in "Hell's Angels" -- so the action scenes in the air serve more as punctuation marks.

Like previous First World War movies, "Dawn Patrol" portrays the cynicism and fatalism of the fighter pilots. They drink a toast to "the next man that dies", sing boisterous songs to bury their grief, and even welcome an enemy captive into their mess -- who cares whose side he's on, the war's over for him, so let's get drunk. There's a lot of manly horseplay and fooling around, and probably a bottle of brandy in every scene, making for a heck of a drinking game. The awful truth of the war is hammered home in scenes of youthful recruits arriving fresh from their public schools, brimming with childish bravado, ready for a great adventure -- and totally ignorant of the fate that awaits them.

The Harsh Realities Of War

[strong-122-478885 · 6/10 · 12 March 2018]

And, so - As this grim story of "guts & glory" goes - At first it was all "fight, drink, and be merry" with these happy-go-lucky, British flyboys serving in France during WW1.

But - When the brutal reality of war (of relentless dogfights, flying inferior aircraft, and inexperienced recruits joining the 59th Squadron) finally sank in - Our brave boys of Britain were suddenly singing a more sobering tune. Indeed.

Now 80 years old - This 1938, b&w production from Warner Bros. certainly drove home the point that war (no matter from whose perspective) was no laughing matter.

Featuring a strong, competent, all-male cast of players, including Basil Rathbone and Errol Flynn - Dawn Patrol's battle scenes (though creaky by today's standards) didn't disappoint me at all.

"The Dawn Patrol" makes serious statement on the tragedy of war

[chuck-reilly · 9/10 · 12 September 2018]

1938's "The Dawn Patrol" focuses on the responsibilities of command, especially when lives are at stake. During WWI, squadron leader Major Brand (an excellent Basil Rathbone) does everything he can to dissuade his commanding officers from sending his pilots to certain death during aerial combat with their German counterparts. He is unsuccessful in this endeavor and is ordered to send up as many planes available. Naturally casualties mount up and Brand is severely criticized by his subordinates who consider him cold and heartless. They also consider him responsible for the deaths of their fellow comrades. Errol Flynn (Capt. Courtney) and David Niven (Capt. Scott) are Brand's most vocal critics and also two of his most reliable pilots. But the shoe is soon on the other foot. Brand's orders for transfer finally come through and Flynn is promoted into his former position. "Now it's your turn. See how you like it!" Brand bitterly tells Courtney. Courtney discovers very quickly the difficulties that his former commander faced in dealing with death on a daily basis and the tremendous weight of the job. "The Dawn Patrol" could be construed as an anti-war film and it certainly makes a good point in that regard. The question "what is this all for?" is brought up at a critical juncture. But what the film really hammers home is its take on leadership and the awesome responsibilities that go along with it. As noted by other reviewers, much of the aerial combat cinematography here has been used in previous films. However, that does nothing to lessen the impact of it all. The film was directed by the prolific Edmund Goulding.

An interesting remake...

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 24 October 2018]

... of the 1930 film of the same name. When I first saw 1930's Dawn Patrol I thought that the film was so stage bound because of early sound technology. Imagine my surprise when the 1938 film is equally as stage bound! It also has an anti war perspective equal to that of the 1930 film, even though the Nazis are becoming a menace by 1938. That could be because the dialogue is practically lifted from the original, word for word! And flight scene for flight scene!

Of course there are a few differences. Warner Brothers has "grown up" by now, and can thus afford to employ more charismatic actors than were involved in the 1930 film. Brand is now played by Basil Rathbone. Scotty is played by David Niven, with a sparkling quality and with great chemistry with Flynn's character. And the change that makes the biggest difference? The main character, Courtney is played by the dashing Errol Flynn rather than Richard Barthelmess, who was a very good actor but didn't really keep the same fame that he had in the silents once the transition to sound film was complete, and certainly was not "larger than life" as Flynn is here.

Another difference I noticed? In the 1930 film, Courtney's nerves turn him into an alcoholic, as a promotion forces him to send so many men to their deaths in the air. In this film, Flynn's Courtney drinks some, but he does other things that show his nerves are frayed such as fidgeting and chewing on pencils. In the 1930 film, Scott, having volunteered for a suicide mission that Courtney plans to trick him out of doing, passes out from alcohol. Here, Scott just curls up and begins to take what he thinks will be a short nap.

The original was directed by Howard Hawks. This remake was directed by Edmund Goulding. I doubt anybody is going to top Hawks' direction when it comes to aviation movies. This film is worth watching, but it is not quite the marvel that the 1930 film is, if only for the fact that the original had such natural dialogue and interaction between characters just a year after the transition to sound.

Errol Flynn and David Niven and the rest--how could you possibly resist?

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 2 March 2006]

This is an extremely well-made WWI aviator film. The flying sequences are excellent and realistic, the story keeps your attention throughout, the direction is good and the actors are at their best. This is a great example of the type of movies Warner Brothers was capable of making--maybe not quite as elegant as those from MGM, but certainly highly entertaining and filled with their old standby actors (in this case Flynn). Along with the ever-exciting to watch Flynn are David Niven (providing wonderful support), Basil Rathbone and Donald Crisp. What a cast! Now if the movie had any shortcoming it might be argued that the material is a bit familiar--you know, guys risking and living beside death and all the accompanying tensions. BUT, it's not just the broad plot outline that make up the movie and everything else is just so well executed you can overlook this minor aspect of the film.

Highly enjoyable

[gazzo-2 · 7/10 · 27 February 2009]

It's Top Gun time! You know the drill-Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone and David Niven take on the Red Baron (von Richter my eye!) in WWI France, w/ high doses of carousing, drunkenness, young recruits trotted out wayy too early for their own good as cannonfodder, and of course, Errol doing what Errol always does-take on the the world and (pretty much) come out grinning.

Well okay, not this time-winds up a glorious death instead-but you know how I mean. I enjoyed the stunts, the shots of the bombs falling, hitting and the explosions then surging back upwards at the camera--amazingly well done considering the age of the movie.

Don't think for a second that George Lucas hasn't seen this, either.

Oh, the acting-pretty much what you'd expect. The stock characters-including Barry Fitzgerald being Oirish and Melville Cooper a stiff upper lipper--all there. By all means check it out. It's not earth shattering but you will like what you see.

*** outta ****

Shameless.

[SamPamBam · 4/10 · 19 August 2019]

Shameless, inept and carelessly shot rear screen projection, gypped aerial scenes, horrendous overacting by rathbone and Flynn, and very obvious Southern California locations make this barely watchable. In fact, here at our Hollywood Fortress, we have unanimously sworn off anything more with Flynn I'm the cast. Such a tragic waste of Niven. Many of our number have sworn off any further efforts from Goulding as well.