Streaming The Dawn Patrol Online
Mardi, septembre 7th, 2010 |
Streaming The Dawn Patrol Online.
Movie Title: The Dawn Patrol The Dawn Patrol is available for streaming or downloading. |
THE DAWN PATROL, Errol Flynn’s final film of his busiest year as an actor (1938), is a fascinating counterpoint to his usual swashbuckling and light comic roles. A remake of Howard Hawks’ 1930 classic, this is a tale of war-weary WWI aviators, called upon to risk their lives daily, in broken-down aircraft, on missions they consider impossible (a timeless war theme that would reappear in such WWII classics as COMMAND DECISION and TWELVE O’CLOCK HIGH). Directed by WWI veteran Edmund Goulding, best known for his big-budget romances (GRAND HOTEL), the film counterpoints the gritty, harsh realities on the ground with the nearly surreal quality of early air battles, as bi-planes with open cockpits whirl and swoop like insects, and enemy airmen would occasionally drop out possessions of dead pilots over airfields, in a chivalrous gesture.
Fellow pilots Courtney and Scott (portrayed by real-life friends Flynn and David Niven, again showing the rapport they had demonstrated so effectively in 1936’s THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE) are battle-tested veterans, hell-raising survivors of a squadron decimated by the war. Seeing a constant influx of ‘green’ kids replacing lost friends, and knowing too well that the rookies’ inexperience will quickly cost them their lives, the pair vent their anger against their commander, the coldly ‘by-the-book’ Maj. Brand (in a remarkable performance by frequent Flynn nemesis, Basil Rathbone). Courtney constantly condemns and belittles Maj. Brand, accusing him of placing ‘The Mission’ over the lives of the men under his command, which makes Courtney a hero in the eyes of the fliers.
Finally, Brand cracks, and is approved for reassignment, and Courtney is chosen to replace him. In a powerful scene, Brand lets his cold ‘facade’ down, and reveals, bitterly, to the younger man that seeing his men sent on suicide missions, daily, had literally crushed him. Unknown to the squadron, Brand had constantly begged HQ to ease up, but had been ’shot down’ each time, as the missions were essential. “Now it’s YOUR turn,” Brand sneers, “See how YOU enjoy it!”
Brand’s words are prophetic, as Courtney quickly discovers himself in the same situation, as the despised scapegoat, with Scott assuming the role of spokesperson and savior to the squadron. And the most dangerous mission yet has just come down from HQ…
DAWN PATROL is a powerful film, with great performances from the entire cast, particularly Flynn, who had often begged the WB to give him roles beyond his ’swashbuckler’ image. The critical praise it garnered proved Flynn’s versatility as an actor (although public demand would keep him ‘locked’ into adventure films), and raised David Niven up to ’star’ status.
It remains one of the BEST films about the ‘Great War’, and shouldn’t be missed!
This movie is a multi-level film. On the one hand, we have the action-adventure element of WW I British pilots valiantly waging the air-war over France in 1915. The other level is a dark anti-war film stressing the horror of warfare, the grim cost to comrades, and the nerve-wracking dilemma of squadron commanders caught between the daily sacrifices of their squadron and the unrealistic expectations of headquarters. Basil Rathbone is the harassed Major Brand. Rathbone’s nervous, high-strung acting style is well suited to this role. Two of his best pilots, Courtney (Errol Flynn) and Scott (David Niven), treat Brand with ill-concealed contempt for the hard decisions he is compelled to make. Among his many frustrations, Major Brand is ordered to use inexperienced young pilots as replacements. It becomes a distressingly familiar experience for Major Brand to count the number of planes as they zoom overhead, returning to base from the latest deadly mission. Seven went out today; only five returned. While on the ground, the pilots imbibe a prodigious amount of liquor, and listen endlessly to the gramophone play a scratchy rendition of a popular song titled “Hurrah for the Next Man to Die.” The dark humor of this is appealing, especially to Scott. Due to an ironic twist of fate, Major Brand is promoted to a headquarters job because of a daring independent mission, spectacularly pulled off by Courtney and Scott. Brand is told to name his own replacement, and he doesn’t hesitate to name Courtney as squadron commander. Suddenly Courtney is in the identical no-win position for which he held Brand in contempt. Things become even more tense after Scott’s younger brother arrives as one of the green replacements Courtney is ordered to put in the air against the grimly efficient German pilots; who are led by a Manfred von Richthofen (i.e., Red Baron) type named Von Richter.
The aerial sequences are visually impressive and exciting. Errol Flynn and David Niven are appropriately dashing as they face danger with courage fierce in their eyes. Between missions, they engage in riotous humor and playful hi-jinks to ease the tension. One senses, however, there is an enforced gaiety to their antics to counter the rigors of war. Courtney evolves from the gallant flyer into the harassed commander. Finally, an especially dangerous mission is ordered. The mission is impossible to achieve for an entire squadron, but “one man, flying low” might succeed. As an act of personal redemption, Courtney takes the place of the incapacitated Scott, and flies the mission. The film balances the romantic visions of war as adventure with the hard realities of aerial combat. There is chivalry and grace, but also frailty and breakdown. The glory is tempered by the memory of fallen comrades, some of whom never had a chance. This film is a stark contrast to Errol Flynn’s more light-hearted adventure movies (e.g., Robin Hood, The Sea Hawk, etc.) The aerial dogfights, the air attack on the enemy munitions factory, and the destruction of the enemy aerodrome are exciting enough to please action fans. The anti-war elements of the film are thought provoking. A fine cast and an intelligent script make this more than just another war movie. Recommended viewing.
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