The Dawn Patrol

1938
A
1h 43m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

British flying aces in World War I contend with the harsh realities of war.

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Drama War

British flying aces in World War I contend with the harsh realities of war.British flying aces in World War I contend with the harsh realities of war.British flying aces in World War I contend with the harsh realities of war.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins total

User reviews52

Featured review

7/10

Errol in the air

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 performance 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.

jjnxn-1
May 7, 2013
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Trivia
At the time this movie was filmed, Errol Flynn and David Niven shared a rented house at Malibu, which they named "Cirrhosis-by-the-Sea" because of all the hard drinking and sex they were having with several women.

Goofs
The amount of oil and dirt on Courtney's face changes several times between scenes. The most obvious is when he goes up stairs to console another pilot who has lost a friend. As he goes up his face is slightly dirty, as he enters the room it is noticeably dirtier and when he comes back down it is much cleaner.

Quotes
Phipps: [Opens package dropped by enemy plane] It's his helmet and goggles. It means a very gallant gentleman died this afternoon. And for what? What have all these deaths accomplished? So many fine chaps have died in this war and are going to die in future wars.
[pause]
Phipps: That's all, gentlemen.