Review of The Dawn Patrol (1938) by Michael L — 13 Nov 2008

The anti-war rhetoric IS rather shallow and poorly thought, but it also is brief -- as in, one or two lines of dialogue. Everything else is uniformly wonderful. The acting is very naturalistic for 1938, there is real chemistry between the three main actors, Errol Flynn is perhaps at his nicest and most likable, though still quite roguish.

And David Niven is absolutely hilarious. Together they are heartwarming and brilliant. The portrayal of the war is realistic in how it wiped out the entire young generation, yet it is not gory or graphic, or even totally depressing.

Most importantly, the movie argues correctly for the need for heroes, something even Hemingway didn't understand.