The Dawn Patrol

1938

The Dawn Patrol (1938)

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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.

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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)

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

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

Competent remake of the 1930 Howard Hawks film of the same title.

Aug 31, 2006 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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Audience Reviews for The Dawn Patrol

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 nixon
jay nixon

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