By Dawn's Early Light

Starring: Boothe, Powers and Mornay, Rebecca de

Nuclear war-- a nightmare that may become grim reality for the world in this riveting thriller. When a fanatical group opposed to friendly U.S./Soviet relations explodes a nuclear missile over a Russian city, it begins a chain reaction of accusations and actions that begin the groundwork for WWIII. As the clock ticks toward total nuclear annihilation, the American presidentand the Soviet president race toward a solution, fighting with their own camps as well as with each other. Two air force pilots involved romantically as well as professionally, Cassidy (Powers Boothe) and Moreau (Rebecca de Mornay), are ordered to take their B-52 bomber into the air and await further instruction from the president (Martin Landau). But when it is reported that a bomb has killed the President, pilots Cassidy and Moreau are ordered to perform the "grand tour", the systematic bombing of th ebunkers of all Russian leaders. Can these two follow through on a command that will mark the beginning of the end?

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• UPC: 026359044021
• Release Date: June 2004
• Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
• Publisher: HBO Home Video
• Director: Sholder, Jack
• Starring: Boothe, Powers, Mornay, Rebecca de
• Runtime: 1 hour, 41 minutes
• Number of Disks: 1
• Other Video Info: color
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

It is one of Rip Torn's best performances.

"In the early months of 1990, during ethnic unrest in the southern part of the Soviet Union, insurgent units attacked a Soviet Army facility. Western intelligence received reliable reports that nuclear weapons were `compromised.' " This is a "what-if" speculative film. What if the rebels had carried this one step further? At one time, we were inundated with films such as "Fail-Safe" and "Dr. Strangelove." Each of these films had its strengths and weaknesses. However, I consider "At Dawn’s Early Light" (1990) to show more human interaction, thereby adding to the film's intensity. This would have made a great play. This film will keep you on the edge of your seat, prompting you to speculate about what you would have done in the situation. As with many movies of this type, you will notice that popular actors play most of the characters from that time. However, you will also notice that they do not overwhelm the characters that they play. I was especially interested in how Martin Landau, as the president, desperately tries to maintain peace, but at any price. Powers Boothe and Rebecca De Mornay, add most of the human interest that was missing from the other films. Remember, this is a 1990 movie, a different era, and a different mindset. However, you will not regret watching this film and speculating on the future.