The Dawn Patrol (1930)

In the harrowing skies of the First World War, audacious British combat pilot, Dick Courtney, navigates the turbulent sea of battle, exuding bravado while chiding his commanding officer, Major Brand, for his perceived cautiousness. Unknown to Courtney, the weight of war lurks heavily on Brand's shoulders, as he grapples with the torment of sending young, unseasoned men to face their untimely demise in under-equipped aircraft. The chain of command shifts, thrusting Courtney into the daunting role of the squadron commander following Brand's transfer. The once-derisive pilot is abruptly awakened to the grim realities of leadership, the bitter taste of his own mockery echoing in his decisions. Sending men to their deaths is a harsh, disturbing lesson that brings Courtney face-to-face with the same burdens Brand once shouldered. Tensions rise when Courtney's closest comrade, Douglas Scott, pleads for leniency for his freshly conscripted, inexperienced brother, Gordon. Courtney, ensnared in the merciless jaws of war and duty, finds himself unable to oblige, driving a wedge between the once inseparable duo. The Dawn Patrol paints a stark portrait of war, challenging the viewer to witness the heart-wrenching sacrifices made in the name of command, and the unyielding price of friendship in the face of warfare's ruthless demands.

The Dawn Patrol is an action movie featuring Richard Barthelmess.

It is possible to buy The Dawn Patrol on DIRECTV.