The Dawn Patrol

1938

The Dawn Patrol

Critics Consensus

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TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

84%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,149

The Dawn Patrol Photos

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Movie Info

This 1938 remake of Howard Hawks' 1930 film The Dawn Patrol is faithful to the original's basic plotline. The story is set during World War I; the scene is the French headquarters of the British Royal Flying Corps, 59th division. The corps is suffering heavy losses, a fact that ace pilot Courtney (Errol Flynn) ascribes to the supposed ruthlessness of squadron commander Brand (Basil Rathbone). What the audience knows that Courtney doesn't is that Brand is distraught at losing his men, but is forced by his own superiors to push the pilots beyond their limits. After being accused day after day of being a butcher, Brand takes grim delight in turning over his command to Courtney. Soon Courtney finds himself enduring the "butcher" tag, especially after the younger brother of his best friend Scott (David Niven) is killed. To redeem himself, Courtney gets Scott drunk and takes his place in a suicidal bombing mission. Courtney is killed, Scott assumes command, and the cycle begins again. The extensive use of combat scenes from the original Dawn Patrol has led some viewers to assume that the 1930 version is the superior of the two. In fact, the remake is far better than the original on several counts, not least of which was the star power of Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone in their third screen teaming.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama
Directed By:

Edmund Goulding
Written By:

Seton I. Miller, Dan Totheroh
In Theaters:

Dec 24, 1938 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Mar 27, 2007
Runtime:

103 minutes
Studio:

Warner Bros.

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Cast

Errol Flynn
as Courtney

David Niven
as Scott

Basil Rathbone
as Major Brand

Melville Cooper
as Watkins

Donald Crisp
as Phills

Barry Fitzgerald
as Bott

Carl Esmond
as Von Mueller

Peter Willes
as Hollister

Morton Lowry
as Johnnie Scott

Michael Brooke Jr
as Squires

James Burke
as Flaherty, the Motorcycle Driver

Stuart Hall
as Bentham, the Singer

Herbert Evans
as Scott's Mechanic

Sidney Bracey
as Ransom, Brand's Orderly

John Sutton
as Adjutant

George Kirby
as Kirby, the Orderly

Tyrone Brereton
as Orderly

Tim Henning
as Orderly

Douglas Gordon
as Orderly

John Rodion
as Russell, the Replacement

Norman Willis
as German Aviator

Gordon Thorpe
as Smythe

Wally Reardon
as Cleaver

Gilbert Wilson
as Moorehead

Anthony Marsh
as Rutherford

Leo Nomis
as Aeronautic Supervisor

Hal Brazeale
as Gregory

Tom Seidel
as Jones

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Critic Reviews for The Dawn Patrol

All Critics (2) | DVD (1)

...camaraderie and dogfights and bombing runs and stiff upper lips.

Apr 21, 2010 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

John J. Puccio
Movie Metropolis
Competent remake of the 1930 Howard Hawks film of the same title.

Aug 31, 2006 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (2)

Audience Reviews for The Dawn Patrol

Jun 20, 2012

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 performace 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.

jay n Super Reviewer