And, so - As this grim story of "guts & glory" goes - At first it was all "fight, drink, and be merry" with these happy-go-lucky, British flyboys serving in France during WW1.But - When the brutal reality of war (of relentless dogfights, flying inferior aircraft, and inexperienced recruits joining the 59th Squadron) finally sank in - Our brave boys of Britain were suddenly singing a more sobering tune. Indeed.Now 80 years old - This 1938, b&w production from Warner Bros. 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.

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. But, with the Germans active nearby, Mr. Rathbone has limited options. Taking the lead, Mr. Flynn decides to go over Rathbone's head, completing a foolish mission with Mr. Niven co-piloting. Rathbone threatens to have him court-martialed, but a worse fate awaits Flynn – he is quickly promoted to commander of "The Dawn Patrol". Now in charge, Flynn must order young fliers out on suicide missions in rickety planes...This is close re-make of the Warner Bros. own "The Dawn Patrol" (1930), with its most exciting aerial footage simply flown in (figuratively) from the previous film. While a more crude production, the earlier film is superior. The 1930 version captures the story's sense of war dread far better. In the original, a sense of doom permeates everything, even when the characters are having a good time. Original stars Richard Barthelmess (as Courtney) and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (as Scott) acted like characters trying to drown the horror of war by carousing in drink. They seemed tortured. 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

Great WW1 flying drama. A remake of Howard Hawks' "The Dawn Patrol" (1930) (sometimes known as "Flight Commander"). Not sure why it needed to be remade - it was great as it was.This version doesn't add anything. Plot is almost to-the-letter identical to the original. Flying sequences and cinematography here are about as good, even though this movie was made 8 years later.Not that there's anything wrong with this movie. Still a very gritty and accurate look at life, and death, in a Royal Flying Corps (RFC) fighter squadron. Details fairly well the burden of command, of sending pilots to almost certain death.One area where this version trumps the original is in the performances. The original's performances weren't bad, but weren't great either. 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.

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. Capt. Courtney(Errol Flynn)and Lt. 'Scotty' Scott(David Niven)are hard drinking aces that beg Brand for more time to train new pilots. Brand doesn't like losing his fliers, but is forced by his own superiors to keep pushing the green pilots beyond their abilities. Brand turns his command over to Courtney. Will the camaraderie remain the same, or will Capt. Courtney become as disliked as Brand? Director Edmund Goulding makes extensive use of the breathtaking aerial combat scenes used in the original. Terrific movie. Flynn and Rathbone are dynamic together. Other players include: Barry Fitzgerald, Donald Crisp, Melville Cooper and Carl Esmond.