The Dawn Patrol (Flight Commander) (1930)
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70% of users liked it
(199 ratings)
Set during World War I, The Dawn Patrol is a study of the pressures and pitfalls of authority. A British Royal Flying Corp squadron commander (Neil Hamilton) is compelled by the higher-ups to send his boys out in dangerous, rickety aircraft. He is tormented by the responsibility, but does his duty… More Set during World War I, The Dawn Patrol is a study of the pressures and pitfalls of authority. A British Royal Flying Corp squadron commander (Neil Hamilton) is compelled by the higher-ups to send his boys out in dangerous, rickety aircraft. He is tormented by the responsibility, but does his duty as prescribed, and is branded a "butcher" by his top pilot (Richard Barthelmess). Hamilton is transferred, and with grim glee hands his command over to Barthelmess. Suddenly Barthelmess finds himself as much an unwilling "butcher" as a predecessor, and in exercising his authority he is alienated from his pilot buddies. Things come to a head when Barthelmess sends the brother of his best friend (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) on a suicide mission. The lad is killed, and the friendship is shattered. To make amends, Barthelmess gets Fairbanks drunk and flies the next mission himself--and is shot down while in battle with the fearsome German ace Von Richter. Now more understanding of his fallen companion, Fairbanks takes over command of the squadron. Because of the 1938 remake of the same title, the 1930 Dawn Patrol has been retitled Flight Commander for television. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Howard Hawks
- Written By
- Howard Hawks, Dan Totheroh, Seton I. Miller
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Aug 20, 1930 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Retains a certain power because of its great aerial footage.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
A thoroughgoing blueprint for Hawksian valor
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Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Howard Hawks's compact economy and avoidance of stylistic razzle-dazzle allowed for concentration on storytelling, to great effect.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Richard Barthelmess
as Dick Courtney
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Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
as Douglas Scott
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James Finlayson
as Field Sergeant
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Neil Hamilton
as Major Brand
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James Gardner
as Ralph Hollister
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William Janney
as Gordon Scott
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Edmund Breon
as Lt. Bathurst
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Clyde Cook
as Bott
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Jack Ackroyd
as Mechanic
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Harry Allen
as Mechanic
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Frank McHugh
as Flaherty
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Howard Hawks
as Stunt Pilot
