DAWN PATROL

For me Dawn Patrol, the 1938 version is the best WW1 film I have seen. Obviously I have not seen them all but have viewed a great many.
The one I have never seen is the previous version 1930 with Richard Barthelmess and D. Fairbanks jnr.
How does it compare? I understand it is called Flight Commander which is the same title as the story by John Monk Saunders. Is this a novel or a short story?
I thought the screenplay with its incisive dialogue has not dated as much as other pictures of the same ilk.
It used to be fashionable to say Errol Flyn couldn't act his way out of a paper bag which seemed to me unfair. He did learn his trade in England in repetory theatre. I notice with interest that he says in the film to David Niven's brother (whoever that was) "My Father was a professor of Biology at Queens and he used to say..." Flyn's Father was a university professor.
Sorry if you have discussed both these films endlessly.
I do know about 1915, previous footage, Marlin guns and other errors.
I still like the film.
Excellent acting from Basil Rathbone but then he was an O & G who got the M.C. You could tell he'd been in by the way he put on the Sam Browne.
Regards
Peter S

I accept all the criticism

[PeterL]

Peter (nice name that), we both like the movie but agree on very little else. I have it in my video collection and enjoy watching it regularly, but let's just say my review of it would be less fulsome in it's praise

Peter L

I would like to hear your criticism?
Have you seen the 1930 version?
Regards
Peter S

[PeterL]

Peter, first of all I repeat, I like this movie and watch it frequently. Secondly in expressing a contrary opinion it is not my intention to denigrate yours. We have to get that out of the way in view of tendancy of a small number of forumites to take EVERYTHING personaly in recent months, not you I'm sure My reason for keeping my opinions to myself was to avoid a flame war, and that is still my wish.

I have to say though that I find some of the acting in Dawn Patrol, particularly that of the lesser characters, wooden and mannered. I accept that perhaps real people in the early thirties were also wooden and mannered, I wasn't there so I can't say, but in those scenes which Flynn and Niven are obviously improvising the dialogue the difference is striking. They frequently have to slow down or pause to allow the other actors to catch up, and even manage to make Rathbone, a great actor I agree, look stagey by comparison. The two of them are clearly enjoying themselves on these occasions, but when confined to the scripted dialogue it's a different ball game.

All of the above is merely my opinion, and under no circumstances do I intend to defend it.

well you did ask.

Peter L

Thank you it certainly gave me food for thought.
Rathbone can be stagy, I know from other films but I thought he had partially cured himself of that habit in this one.
I hadn't thought in terms of improvisation but you could be right.
The adjutant Donald Crisp I thought was o.k.. Though I suppose he could be described as wooden. I liked the scene with the imaginary dog and the look on Rathbone's face. I also liked Crisp's speech after Flyn's death. "And so a gallant gentleman has died-- And for what?"
I thought the other rank characters were not true to life.
I hope I've not bored you.
Thanks for your apposite comments.
I take it you have not seen the 1930 version.
VBR
Peter S

[mike_baram]

Peter (both),
The problem with many films of the 30's is that they were still using stage acting techniques. Look at nearly any film from that era and you notice that the line delivery, blocking, movements, etc. are made as if the audience was physically in the studio with the actors.
Since I'm not a "film history expert", I can't say when Hollywood made the transition to more natural acting. I guess the director made a big difference as far as innovation and style were concerned.
VBR,
Mike

[cam]

Peter L,

Check Errol Flynns toes and they will probably be webbed, Van Diemens Land breeding stock does that.



cam >

[Vin]

He always wore a scarf or collar. To hide the amputation marks ?


Vin

[Darryl]

(Killratio enters stage left and makes large flourish of right arm ((Bad upper class accent)))
"My dear old fellow Peter thar is
abselyootley noe raison to denegrate stage acting. Some of my finest friends aare stage artistes"
(moves centre stage, tilts head back slightly, raises back of hand to forehead and exits stage left)


BTW, I LOVE that movie, but then I am Western Australian!!

Cam and Vin,
Let me guess....a Newsouthwelshman and a Victorian??
'nuff said!!!!! **VBG**

very best regards

Darryl
(a non-film critic)

[cam]

And why is NSW where it is? To stop Victorians breeding with Queenslanders!!!

I think Dawen Patrol is a great movie. I love the characture MvR had been made into, but in the end they waved and nodded to each other as Errol died. A 30's version of chivalry. It is funny that 90's audience are more enthralled with Frank Luke type characters that die with their guns blazing.


cam ( humming chorus to " Oh Errol " )