Dive Bomber

An Australian doctor?? Now I’ve seen it all.

The featured aircraft are obsolete biplanes but the US Navy had been flying those off carrier decks just a few years earlier. I think these were actually trainers not front-line combat squadron equipment. The then current Hollywood heartthrob Errol Flynn trades his swashbuckling sabre [Captain Blood, Robin Hood] for a joystick. The usual hokey script and melodrama directed by Michael Curtiz who excelled at cranking out product like this for WB. OK for Flynn fans

Ironically this was probably still in theaters in December 1941. As it was released four months prior. Also it was probably one of the last movies that was made in color too. But enough about the history of the movie, how good is it? Honestly it's very good, but not great. It's slow but I personally found it interesting. But I find history of technology interesting. Others might not find the technical parts as interesting. Also, there are some minor character issues. But overall, this is a slow but interesting piece of aviary history.

A decent attempt at showing how war progresses technology, specifically in aviation in this instance. In colour with flying scenes that are very well shot for the time this is certainly a production that had plenty of money behind it - ironically probably only because of the war and its propaganda value.

good WWII actioner & total propaganda 'let's get in the war' pic

Amazing aviation cinematography for its time! It was rather hilarious to see Errol Flynn not interested in women (for a change). Fred MacMurray gave a nice performance as the rugged counterpart to Flynn's more sensitive niche.

So be it, settle the score...released four months before Pearl Harbor.

Dive Bombers was better than what I expected, much better. I think it can be close to a good classic, exceptionally good acting (Fred MacMurry, Errol Flynn, and Ralph Bellamy), that was true to its word. they just had to cut out the lame comedy with the navy, didn't fit in at all. Although it was an Interesting and simple story, with a nice ending to end it all.

Dive Bombers was better than what I expected, much better. I think it can be close to a good classic, exceptionally good acting (Fred MacMurry, Errol Flynn, and Ralph Bellamy), that was true to its word. they just had to cut out the lame comedy with the navy, didn't fit in at all. Although it was an Interesting and simple story, with a nice ending to end it all.

The Allen Jenkins comedy bits are tedious and get in the way of the interesting medical drama. I personally don't believe the spy story surrounding this flick, and find the story compelling.