The Dawn Patrol
Tags: revenge

Plot synopsis:
During World War I, the pilots of an RFC squadron deal with the stress of combat primarily through nightly bouts of heavy drinking. The two aces of the squadron's "A Flight", Courtney (Richard Barthelmess) and Scott (Douglas Fairbanks Jr), have come to hate the commanding officer, Brand (Neil Hamilton), blaming him for sending new recruits directly into combat in inferior aircraft.
Unknown to them, Brand has been arguing continually with higher command to allow practice time for the new pilots, but command is desperate to maintain air superiority and orders them into combat as soon as they arrive. Brand is so disliked by the two he cannot even easily join the men for the nightly partying, drinking alone and clearly breaking under the strain. The tension grows worse when an elite German squadron led by "von Richter" takes up position just across the front lines from them.
After losing several of the squadron's veteran pilots, the ranks become increasingly made up of new recruits, who have absolutely no chance against the German veterans. Von Richter issues a taunt that Courtney and Scott answer by attacking the Germans' airdrome in defiance of orders from Brand not to go up against them. Brand gets revenge when he is recalled to headquarters and Courtney is made squadron commander. Courtney quickly learns the misery that Brand endured when four patrols a day are ordered and his pleas not to send green men ignored.
Scott and Courtney have a falling out when Scott's younger brother is one of the new replacements and is immediately ordered on a mission. He is killed flying the Dawn Patrol. Brand returns with orders for what amounts to a suicide mission far behind enemy lines. Courtney is forbidden to fly the mission, so Scott angrily volunteers. Courtney gets him drunk and flies off in his stead. He shoots down von Richter returning from the successful mission but is killed by another German pilot. Scott becomes squadron commander and reads orders to his new replacements.

Review: 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..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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 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.
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).
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!.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
Here the performances are superb, especially from Errol Flynn, David Niven and Basil Rathbone.As said, not sure why this was (re)made, but a great movie nevertheless..
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
One of the very few classic World War I adventures, the work of swashbuckling Errol Flynn, the staid, villainous Basil Rathbone and David Niven who transcends from Flynn's light-hearted sidekick to a combative inferior officer light up the skies over enemy territory.The carefree camaraderie bolstered by excessive drinking in the face of certain doom provides an uplifting theme.
I particularly like the songs they sing as they belly up to the bar, most notably, "Hurrah for the Next Man that Dies." The dogfights in the biplanes of that era are so vivid because you can see the pilots' every move, and they can see each other -- the thumbs-up when one of them is shot to pieces and about to plummet to his death.The film captures the reality of a war that history tends to overlook more and more as time goes on.
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..
Excellent cast led by the trio of Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, and David Niven.
Having not seen the Howard Hawks original made in 1930, I obviously have no frame of reference as regards if this remake does that particular film justice, but the evidence here suggests this Errol Flynn led piece can justifiably hold its head up high.It's World War 1 and we are in the company of the 59th Squadron in France, these brave airmen are the dawn patrol, the men {boys} who fly the most dangerous missions at the crack of dawn, this squadron has a high mortality rate such is the perilous nature of their duty.
Courtney, Lt. Scott, and Maj. Brand are the main characters of the piece, and all three men are faced with mounting tensions and perhaps the spectre of impending tragedy?This film is one of those pieces that drives home the harshness of war whilst pumping the blood at the bravery of those involved.
The men while away their hours drinking and singing startlingly revealing songs, full of bravado and gusto for the war effort, and it's the courage and loyalty of these guys that drives the film's emotional heart.A wonderful cast lifts this piece to a very high standard, Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone and David Niven firmly grasp the characters essential points, and coupled with a very astute piece of pacing from director Edmund Goulding, the film plays out perfectly.
Kind of like a joke on Errol Flynn.Great film, I could watch it over and over..
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).
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.
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..
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.
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..
Their daredevil aerobatics are admired and envied secretly by their stern commander Basil Rathbone who the duo nick-name as Killer brand as his duties are generally limited to send raw pilots against the war seasoned German Air Force.
David Niven is adequate as the pal but it is Basil Rathbone who walks away with top honours as the original Flight Commander who envies the daredevil pilots while hating himself for sending raw pilots to their death.
"The Dawn Patrol" isn't a typical Errol Flynn movie.
Errol Flynn and David Niven are great as the two crack pilots who indulge in their own shenanigans, much to the annoyance of their commander Basil Rathbone.
Brand's two best fighter pilots are Captain Courtney (Errol Flynn) and Lieutenant Scott (David Niven).
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.
Exciting and equally dark, this remake of Howard Hawks's original(1930) starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. This World War I drama finds Basil Rathbone as Major Brand, the ruthless commander of a squadron of British fliers.
'Scotty' Scott(David Niven)are hard drinking aces that beg Brand for more time to train new pilots.
There's a scene in the movie that made me stop and think - it's when Major Brand (Basil Rathbone) receives congratulations from his high command for his flyers taking out the German drone.
For a length of time, Rathbone, Errol Flynn, David Niven and Donald Crisp are all on screen together at the same time.
Errol Flynn proves here that he can act and has great support from David Niven, Basil Rathbone and Donald Crisp.
Both Flynn and Rathbone are given a chance to show their serious side as they are faced with sending green recruits to certain death against a superior German air force, led by von Richter (von Richtofen I suppose).This is an excellent film and director Edward Goulding may be forgiven for lifting the extremely realistic dogfight scenes from the 1930 original starring Richard Barthelmess (also a film worth watching).
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.
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.
"The Dawn Patrol" could be construed as an anti-war film and it certainly makes a good point in that regard.
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.
Flynn and Niven are two of the aviators under Squadron Commander Basil Rathbone.
Everyone seems to be having a good time, except when they're being shot to pieces, except Rathbone who has been turned into a bundle of nerves by his responsibility for sending men up to die in those fragile crates.Rathbone is promoted out, and Flynn is made commanding officer.
These scenes — and in fact all the exciting action material — were re-used (slightly trimmed) in the 1938 re-make directed by Edmund Goulding (which has the rare honor of being a re- make which is better than the original, thanks to the skills of its superior cast — Flynn, Niven and Rathbone)..
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.