Although I'm a classic movie aficionado and have seen more old movies than anyone I've ever met, I'd only ever seen Errol Flynn in a bit part in the Doris Day comedy It's a Great Feeling. So, for all intents and purposes, I'd never seen an Errol Flynn movie until I rented The Dawn Patrol. After only a few minutes of absorbing his performance, I was filled with awe and admiration. I haven't gone on a renting spree just yet, but I look forward to watching many more of his films in the time to come.All Quiet on the Western Front is often hailed as the greatest WWI movie ever made, but now I have a new favorite. 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. More often than not, the boys don't make it home, and there's a constant influx of new recruits whom Basil and Captain Errol Flynn have to train and prepare for the worst. This is a very unusual method of storytelling, putting the audience on pins and needles every time someone flies out, and filling them with sadness every time new characters grace the screen. There's a very natural camaraderie between the men, and most acutely between Errol Flynn and fellow soldier David Niven. They were close friends in real life, and when the camera captures their scenes, it feels like it's projecting backstage footage instead of scripted dialogue. The soldiers have more of a brotherly bond than in any other war movie I've ever seen. In singling out the leading men for their performances, I fear I'll be slighting the young boys with smaller parts; everyone in this movie gives very heart-wrenching and realistic performances. There are times when it's hard to watch, but it's an extremely well-made, well-acted film. I was very surprised at Errol Flynn's acting style. I'd expected him to overact like silent movie stars or at least ham up his scenes like a classic swashbuckler. His delivery and expressions were so realistic and modern, it's a wonder he even knew how to give such a performance, since no one else in that era did. I have a strong desire to rent The Last of Robin Hood, because I'm sure Kevin Kline will give a perfect imitation of Errol Flynn. Not only is the physical resemblance striking, but the subtlest of expressions and mannerisms are also mirrored. It was almost as if Errol Flynn were giving a Kevin Kline impression!Obviously, I highly recommend this movie, even though parts of it are very sad and remind us of the tragedies of war. It's a wonderful old movie to watch if you don't normally like old movies, because besides the color scheme, it doesn't even feel like you're watching one.

Copyright 25 August 1930 by First National Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Winter Garden, 10 July 1930. U.S. release: 10 August 1930. 12 reels. 9,500 feet. 105½ minutes.Television title: FLIGHT COMMANDER.SYNOPSIS: The making of life-and-death decisions finally forces the flight commander to crack under the strain.NOTES: Academy Award, John Monk Saunders, Original Story (defeating Doorway to Hell, The Public Enemy, Laughter and Smart Money).COMMENT: You won't find "The Dawn Patrol" on any Best Films of the Year lists. In fact, it doesn't even make The New York Times supplementary list of "35 worthy pictures". The reason is simply that it's not very good. In fact it's the sort of movie that gives "old movies" their undeservedly bad name. (Amazing isn't it that this movie is shown constantly on television, while hundreds of far superior movies of the same vintage never ever see the light of day?) Jumpy continuity made even more jerky by the use of silent captions, dated dialogue and stilted acting, make "The Dawn Patrol" a bit of a chore to sit through — especially on the ground. (No wonder Barthelmess' career declined, even though his subsequent films show him in a far better light!) Fortunately, when the movie gets into the air, interest rises sharply — thanks to the breathtaking skill of Dyer's aerial camera-work. 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).

Terrific war drama about RFC flyers in WWI France and the dangers and hardships they faced. Excellent cast led by the trio of Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, and David Niven. Some of the best performances from each man's career. Some fine support by the likes of Donald Crisp and Barry Fitzgerald. One thing you can always count on from Warner Bros. in the '30s and '40s is their exceptional stable of actors. The plot may seem a bit familiar but it's helped by great performances, a quality script, and good direction from Edmund Goulding. It's a remake of a 1930 film that I haven't seen yet so I can't compare the two but I can definitely recommend you see this one.

Unfortunately this was not the war to end all wars and the world was on the brink of WWII when this film was made. It revisits the horror of the slaughter of WWI and in this case, concentrates on the British flying aces of the air. It's a study in contrasts but underneath the camaraderie and black humor of the pilots, lies the bitterness and futility of their job. Sent on doomed missions, they were fodder for the war machine.The British cast is excellent and contains most of the British actors then working in Hollywood film........(the only person missing is C. Aubrey Smith). Errol Flynn proves here that he can act and has great support from David Niven, Basil Rathbone and Donald Crisp. Also present are Barry Fitzgerald and Melville Cooper. 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). I highly recommend it.