Dawn Flight
DVD, Format: NTSC, Duration: 17 minutes, Released in 1978

Dawn Flight is both a film about the wonder of soaring and a film about self-discovery.  The symbolic dawn in the title bespeaks the sense of renewal that comes to the young glider pilot when he conquers his fear and meets the challenges presented to him by a mysterious pursuer.

Producer, Lawrence Lansburgh wanted to do more than make a typical glider film:

"I wanted to take a fresh approach in a soaring film, to use motorless flight not as an end in itself but as a means to express something else that was on my mind."

Academy Award Nominee - Live Action Short - 1975

Overview from the DVD Case
Stunning aerial maneuvers, tree-top chases and hair-raising pursuits through narrow rock canyons mark this sailplane adventure story.  Haunted by a mysterious superpilot, a young glider pilot first flees, then confronts his challenger.  In his fixed wing, 30-foot wingspan glider (Schweizer 1-26) he finally draws abreast of the rival plane... and learns who the pilot really is.

Dawn Flight Article in Soaring magazine from June of 1976

New, 2011 Full-length Version
Features:

  • Remastered - This version is a bit better quality than the previous version, but don't expect the moon. The original film used did not yield great results.
  • The scene in which the pilot is sleeping in a bed made from a glider fuselage is included in this full-length version.  Also, another scene is back in this version which shows the pilot admiring and caressing his glider early in the morning. 
  • Interview with the star Denis Arndt
  • Commentary version with creators talking over the film
  • Liner notes

Review by Paul Remde
I love this little film.  The loops and rolls in Schweizer 1-26 sailplanes are great fun and the low altitude flying chase scenes are impressive and fun to watch.  I'm very happy that the full length version is now available.  I was very frustrated that some key scenes had been removed from the previously available version.  If you are interested in cinematography you will find the new special features (interview and commentary) interesting. 

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Dawn Flight

  • Brand: Videos
  • Product Code: DawnFlight
  • Availability: In Stock
  • $39.95


Tags: video, DVD, Lansburgh