16mm Feature Film THE DAWN PATROL Errol Flynn WWI Movie DAVID NIVEN Basil Rathbone DONALD CRISP Aviation WW1 Start Price USD 365.00 Current Price USD 365.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 27, 2008 End Time Saturday, December 27, 2008 Location Long Beach, California See more about '16mm Feature Film THE DAWN PATROL Errol Flynn WWI Movie' Description This is an Excellent condition, ORIGINAL 16mm B&W sound movie print of the entertaining 1938 WW1 aviation drama feature motion picture classic titled... "THE DAWN PATROL" Director: Edmund GouldingThe story is set during World War I; the scene is the French headquarters of the British Royal Flying Corps, 59th division. The corps is suffering heavy losses, a fact that ace pilot Courtney (Errol Flynn) ascribes to the supposed ruthlessness of squadron commander Brand (Basil Rathbone). What the audience knows that Courtney doesn't is that Brand is distraught at losing his men, but is forced by his own superiors to push the pilots beyond their limits. After being accused day after day of being a butcher, Brand takes grim delight in turning over his command to Courtney. Soon Courtney finds himself enduring the "butcher" tag, especially after the younger brother of his best friend Scott (David Niven) is killed. To redeem himself, Courtney gets Scott drunk and takes his place in a suicidal bombing mission. Courtney is killed, Scott assumes command, and the cycle begins again. CAST: Errol Flynn - Capt. Courtney David Niven - Lieut. Douglas Scott Basil Rathbone - Major Brand Donald Crisp - Phipps Melville Cooper - Watkins Barry Fitzgerald - Bott The Dawn Patrol - based on a book my John Monk Saunders is the story of a RFC squadron in France during the Great War. If has three great central performances - Basil Rathbone showing an array of hyper tense emotions - David Niven changing from a happy go lucky drunken fool to a hardened leader of men and the best, by far, Errol Flynn as a guilt ridden hero whose nerves are torn to shreds. The Dawn Patrol, one of Director Eddie Goulding's very finest, is as tense and tightly wound as the characters it portrays, who face the awful question, 'what is maximum effort', how much can a man give in combat before breaking? The story revolves around the vividly drawn characters of Lt. Scott,'Scotty', played by David Niven in one of his most genuine performances, and that of his chum, Captain Courtney, well played by Errol Flynn. Together the two friends face death each day in machines held together by 'spit and baling wire' and each night drink themselves into oblivion. Their antics contrast with the concern that is eating at their commanding officer, Major Brand, wonderfully portrayed by Basil Rathbone. Brand is visibly cracking under the strain, while the oblivious Courtney and Scott play at war, seemingly unconcerned by death or anything else. Paired with Brand is the unflappable Phipps, presented by stalwart character actor Donald Crisp. It is Crisp, who is finally made to express the film's underlying anti-war theme, questioning the point of sending all the fine young men to their deaths, "...and for what?", he asks though no answer is forthcoming. The tension is expertly broken by comic interludes of genuine hilarity as well as great scenes of World War air combat. One sees a reflection of Renoir's 'Rules of the Game', when a German pilot, who is thought to have killed Scotty, is brought in to meet Courtney, who shot him down and they show each other the mutual respect and chivalry that still crossed the no-mans land between the two sides. This intelligent and questioning film is at the very top of my list of great war films, and is an absolute must see for new generations of movie goers. This is a RARE, GREAT CONTRAST, 1982 EASTMAN B&W ORIGINAL print with top sound and mounted on three 1600 foot reels... all ready to run. There is no vinegar smell or warping!The image shown is for illustration only. With 12,000+ Positive Ebay Feedbacks, You may bid/buy with confidence.  Motion Picture Films ship via USPS Media mail within the USA. This service can sometimes take up to 20 business days for delivery. We will send via Priority mail for an extra charge at your request. If you want insurance, you must pay for it as we are not responsible for any loss or damage without it. We mail WORLDWIDE and can ship this feature film off reels and on plastic cores for only $42 to most countries... $30 to Canada or Mexico! Please check out my cool ebay store...click here for MORE movies ONLY listed thereand great film supplies! Place a Bid!