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By Dawn's Early Light (1990)

TV Movie  |  PG-13  |   |  Drama, Thriller, Action  |  19 May 1990 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 1,994 users  
Reviews: 38 user | 4 critic

The crew of a nuclear bomber attack the Soviet Union while the President of the United States tries desperately to regain control of his military after his helicopter crashes during a ... See full summary »

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Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Cassidy
...
Moreau (as Rebecca DeMornay)
...
Alice
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President
...
Condor
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Colonel Fargo
...
Harpoon
...
Sedgwick
...
Tyler
Ronald William Lawrence ...
Hooker
...
Radnor
...
General Renning - 'Icarus'
...
Looking Glass Colonel - 'Sam'
Randal Patrick ...
O'Toole
...
Bascombe
See full cast »
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Storyline

The crew of a nuclear bomber attack the Soviet Union while the President of the United States tries desperately to regain control of his military after his helicopter crashes during a limited nuclear exchange in this film with a scenario similar to Fail-Safe (1964) and Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964). Originally a made for cable movie, it concentrates on the relationship between a veteran pilot and his female co-pilot and the president's attempt to wrest control away from a war-mongering successor. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

soviet union | pilot | military | bomber | u.s. president | See All (26) »

Taglines:

Four People. Three Minutes. Two Choices. One Chance For Survival.

Genres:

Drama | Thriller | Action

Certificate:

TV-14 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

19 May 1990 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Aos Primeiros Clarões da Aurora  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

James Earl Jones' character spends his entire time in the movie aboard a plane. This was also the case in Jones' first film, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964). Both films were based around a nuclear confrontation between the US and USSR. See more »

Goofs

During a scene aboard Air Force One, the clocks on the wall (supposed to depict the times of different major cities around the world) all show vastly different times. Time zones by and large only differ on the hour, the few half-hour zones including Delhi and Newfoundland, so the minute hands on the clocks should at least mostly all have been in the same position, with only the hour hands being on different positions. See more »

Quotes

[Alice has just refused an order from the acting president]
Sam: They'll shoot you for this general.
Alice: Sam, old friend, I should find such an angel of mercy.
See more »

Connections

References Planet of the Apes (1968) See more »

Soundtracks

DON'T CALL HIM A COWBOY
Written by Debbie Hupp, Johnny MacRae and Bob Morrison
Performed by Conway Twitty
Courtesy Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products, Music City Music Inc.
(administered by EMI April Music Inc) and Southern Days Music (administered by CMI)
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Compelling cold war tale
18 March 2001 | by (PA USA) – See all my reviews

When a nuclear missile is launched by presumably Soviet forces toward Turkey, the beginning of the ultimate war to end all wars WW 3 is started. Powers Boothe, his girlfriend and copilot Rebecca DeMornay and their flight crew take off in a B 52 on what they believe is just another drill only to find out that this is the real deal. While they fly their mission toward Russia the US and Russia exchange nuclear blasts. The movie, originally made for HBO, tells a realistic tale of what could be if the controls of the nukes get in the wrong hands and with Russia, being the way it is today, this could be a prophetic movie. A very well done drama with some good acting, a little over the top by Booth, but it will keep you watching and most importantly make you think. On a scale of one to ten... 8
13 of 16 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?
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