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The Dawn Patrol (1938)
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Overview
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Director:
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Release Date:
24 December 1938 (USA)
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Tagline:
They roared through the dawn . . . with death on their wings ! more
Plot:
British flying aces in World War I contend with the harsh realities of war. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
Flynn shines in serious drama of WWI aviators...
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Cast
(Complete credited cast) | Errol Flynn | ... | Captain Courtney |
 | Basil Rathbone | ... | Major Brand |
 | David Niven | ... | Lieutenant Scott |
| Donald Crisp | ... | Phipps |
| Melville Cooper | ... | Sergeant Watkins |
| Barry Fitzgerald | ... | Bott |
| Carl Esmond | ... | Von Mueller |
| Peter Willes | ... | Hollister |
| Morton Lowry | ... | Donnie Scott |
| Michael Brooke | ... | Captain Squires |
| James Burke | ... | Flaherty - Motorcycle Driver |
| Stuart Hall | ... | Bentham |
| Herbert Evans | ... | Scott's Mechanic |
| Sidney Bracey | ... | Major Brand's Orderly (as Sidney Bracy) |
| Leo Nomis | ... | Aeronautic Supervisor |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
103 min
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Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
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Fun Stuff
Trivia:
As Major Brand, Basil Rathbone is seen wearing the ribbon for the Military Cross. He was awarded this medal for bravery during the First World War as a second lieutenant. Captain Courtney, Errol Flynn and later Lieutenant Scott, played by David Niven are also seen with ribbons but were too young to server in that conflict. Niven attended Sandhurst Military Academy and then served for two years in Malta. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he returned to England and re-joined the army. Flynn was granted a 4-F deferment during then Second World War due to his weak heart. He later stated that his only regret was his non-participation in that conflict.
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Goofs:
Continuity: In the beginning the planes shown landing and the planes that taxi up to the hangers.
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Quotes:
Capt. Courtney:
Hooh, I did't understand a word, did you?
Lt. 'Scotty' Scott: No, I took German in school but...
Capt. Courtney: So did I, but I can't understand the way these foreigners speak it.
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Lt. 'Scotty' Scott: No, I took German in school but...
Capt. Courtney: So did I, but I can't understand the way these foreigners speak it.
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Movie Connections:
Features The Dawn Patrol (1930)
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Soundtrack:
Plum and Apple
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This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (21 total)
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| IMDb War section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
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.