The Errol Flynn Signature Collection, Vol. 2 (1936)

Error Flynn Signature Collection Vol 2

Errol Flynn is to the Greatest Generation what Brad Pitt is to today's movie groupies. His films do not have the graphics and special effects, but still these films are....fun? Flynn is an actor and he is a typical swashbuckling British World War I fighter pilot in "Dawn Patrol." "Flyboys" was a good action movie, but because "Dawn Patrol" is in black and white, it seems more real. Flynn and co star David Niven are a terrific team. Flynn is "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, the second heavyweight boxing champion, who defeated the invincible John L. Sullivan. If you want to see the life of Gentleman Jim, in contrast to the great John L., this is a movie you will enjoy. If you like old time movies and want to get away from today's overpaid, over rated prima donnas, this set is for you. If you'll recall, Flynn also plays George Armstrong Custer in another of his movies, I believe it is "They Died With Their Boots On," and he does an excellent job as the Civil War Cavalry general and later the Cavalry lieutenant colonel who died at Little Big Horn. Highly recommend if you're a movie buff. The younger generation, with their fascination of Britney, Paris and the plastic generation may find Flynn's collection boring. Rent it from the library first before purchasing. January 21, 2008

Dashing Hero

Errol Flynn in his typical role the Dashing Hero. Classics although not swooners. They aren't so chick flick. January 10, 2008

Almost as good as Volume 1

When I picked up the second volume of the Errol Flynn Signature Collection, I wasn't sure what I was going to get. After all, the first volume had most of his really big movies (including Captain Blood and The Sea Hawk) and his definitive movie, The Adventures of Robin Hood, was not in either set. Nevertheless, this second set does have some good movies, even if they are not quite the caliber of Volume 1.

The first movie (chronologically speaking) is The Charge of the Light Brigade, a depiction of the Crimean War with Flynn as a British lancer who will eventually lead the famous charge. This is a Warner Brothers classic, with many familiar names from other Flynn movies, including Olivia de Havilland (his most frequent leading lady, this time playing a woman in love with Flynn's brother), Donald Crisp, musical scorer Max Steiner and director Michael Curtiz. This also has David Niven and Nigel Bruce (later famous as Dr. Watson in the Sherlock Holmes movies).

Niven is also in The Dawn Patrol which has he and Flynn as pilots during World War I, an era when aerial combat was (pardon the pun) just getting off the ground. Both are cocky aces who survive while their less seasoned fellow pilots perish. Basil Rathbone plays their commander, forced to send his green recruits to almost certain death. For a late 1930's movie, this does a good job showing the plane-to-plane battles.

The weakest in the set is another air-related movie, Dive Bomber. Flynn plays a doctor researching ways that pilots can overcome loss of consciousness when dive bombing. Fred MacMurray plays the test pilot who distrusts Flynn. With little real adventure, this movie doesn't really exploit Flynn's talents, even with Curtiz directing again.

Gentleman Jim is a fictional biography of boxer Jim Corbett, who came to prominence just as boxing began to be a legitimate sport. Flynn plays the title character with his standard easy going charm. Of course, the movie has to culminate in a big title match, but the path to that match is a lot of fun.

Last in the bunch and the best is Adventures of Don Juan, which successfully recreates the swashbuckling Flynn and owes more than a little to Adventures of Robin Hood. In this film, Flynn plays the legendary wooer of woman who is called upon to save Queen and country (Spain) against a coup. This has it all: Flynn, a nasty villain played by Robert Douglas, a beautiful queen played by Viveca Lindfors, a wonderful sidekick with Alan Hale, the music of Steiner again and the direction of Vincent Sherman, all put together with plenty of wit and swordplay.

All of the movies come with the Warner Night at the Movies special feature except Dive Bomber (another reason this one is the weakest in the set). This special feature allows the viewer to see a movie preview, newsreel, short subject and cartoon from the year of the movie's release. There are other extras as well, including commentary on Adventures of Don Juan. In short, between the movies and the extras, this is a five-star set and once again showcases why Flynn was one of the biggest stars of the 1930s and 1940s.
September 3, 2007

Dawn Patrol

A very historically accurate depiction of the events of a fighter pilot in World War II September 1, 2007

Great Set !! Looking Forward To Vol. 3

A great set and a must have for Flynn fans. Highlights for me are "The Dawn Patrol & Gentleman Jim." I am looking forward to Vol. 3.

Here are my picks for Vol.3:

Another Dawn

Desperate Journey

Edge Of Darkness

Northren Pursuit

Uncertain Glory August 19, 2007

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