The Dawn Patrol

A look at war from an interesting perspective with decent psychological take on hierarchy and loss of personnel. I found the acting to be sub-par and the overall low quality of the production hindered the enjoyment.

"'We are SMART cinephiles!'" http://illusionpodcast.blogspot.com/2015/12/episode-82-cinema-masters-vol-xi.html

Howard Hawks #1

72.000

A Howard Hawks war drama from the early days of sound. And while there are some fine air battle scenes, it's more the ruthless psychology and the mental brutality of war as it relates to the pilots being sent to their deaths and the leaders that give the orders. This is a well told drama about conflicts and the difficulties one has to handle when in war, especially after the adrenaline of the battle day is over and one start dealing with the loss of ones fellow squadrons.

A somewhat conventional war movie that's a little rough around the edges, but wins you over with strong character work, especially from the leads. There are two fantastic action sequences with stunning aerial photography and stunts. The handing over of power (and guilt) to a new commanding officer is an interesting device. There are a few poor performances and an over-reliance on clunky exposition. But although Only Angels Have Wings is slightly better, this one is still worthwhile.

A very good war film about the very dangerous runs WWI British pilots have to make, and the toll it takes--particularly on the officers that order them to likely death.

Starts off as a generic war movie with bad sound, but as things progress the weight of the content slowly sinks in. It's a different view of war, without the action or intensity, but the somber and grim reality still seeps in as we see the psychological scars forming in the characters. The cyclic nature of events that runs through the film is very appropriate.

Another early Hawks picture that's pretty good. Some great aerial photography and some decent laughs. The drunk German pilot still makes me laugh.