By Dawn's Early Light

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By Dawn's Early Light
Dawn s early light.jpg
Film poster
GenreAction
Drama
Thriller
Based onTrinity's Child
Written byWilliam Prochnau (novel)
Bruce Gilbert (teleplay)
Directed byJack Sholder
StarringPowers Boothe
Rebecca De Mornay
James Earl Jones
Martin Landau
Rip Torn
Jeffrey DeMunn
Darren McGavin
Ken Jenkins
Music byTrevor Jones
Paul Hulme
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerBruce Gilbert
ProducersThomas M. Hammel
Susan Moore (associate producer)
Production locationsSanta Clarita, California
CinematographyAlexander Gruszynski
EditorTony Lombardo
Running time100 minutes
Production companiesParavision International
HBO Pictures
DistributorHBO
Release
Original networkHBO
Audio formatDolby
Original releaseMay 19, 1990 (1990-05-19)

By Dawn's Early Light (also known as The Grand Tour) is an HBO original movie, aired in 1990 and set in 1991. It is based on the 1983 novel Trinity's Child, written by William Prochnau. The film is one of the last to depict the events of a fictional World War III before the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.[1]

Plot[]

In the present day, dissident officials in the Soviet Union launch a nuclear missile at Donetsk from a site in NATO member Turkey. The Soviet automated defence systems, believing that a NATO attack is in progress, execute a measured launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at the United States. After Donetsk is destroyed, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) scrambles its forces and SAC Commander General Renning urges the US president to authorize a full counterattack. The Soviet leader explains the dissidents' actions to the US President. He asks the US to stand down, but he is willing to accept an American counterstrike comparable to the Soviets' strike, costing each side six to nine million people. If the United States launches an all-out attack, the Soviets will respond in kind and doom the whole planet.

As the president and General Renning argue it appears that the Soviets have launched a second attack. The president authorizes a multi-part all-out attack, with American ICBMs launched immediately, then submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) in a few hours, coincident with the arrival of US Air Force bombers over the Soviet Union. General Renning issues the orders just before the first wave hits SAC headquarters and then quickly passes command of SAC to "Alice," the codename of an Air force general in command of Looking Glass, a flying command aircraft for the Air Force and the US Navy. The president takes off in Marine One and learns the second Soviet attack was directed at China, which has launched its own missiles. Realizing his mistake, the president tries to cancel all-out nuclear retaliation, but before he can, a nearby nuclear detonation forces his helicopter down.

A B-52 bomber, commanded by Major Cassidy and his co-pilot, Captain Moreau takes off with callsign "Polar Bear 1" minutes before Fairchild Air Force Base is destroyed. The crewmen are shaken by the unfolding events, and a nuclear flash injures Moreau and kills another crew member. An American admiral, codenamed "Harpoon," is in command of Nightwatch, a presidential flying command platform. With the president presumed dead, they swear in the US Secretary of the Interior as president, codenamed "Condor." Harpoon briefs Condor regarding the Soviet president's message, the mistake regarding China, and the matching damage already done by the initial retaliation. Colonel Fargo, a hawkish advisor on Nightwatch, advises Condor to continue American retaliatory strikes. Condor agrees with Fargo's plan for a submarine missile and bomber attack and orders Alice to execute the remainder of the attack plan. Alice reluctantly orders bombers for the attack. Cassidy and Moreau react emotionally to these orders, and convince the crew to abort their mission. Crewman Tyler, despondent over the loss of his family, displays increasingly erratic behavior and attacks Cassidy. After trying to shoot the pilots he escapes by ejection seat, blowing everyone but the two pilots from the aircraft.

The original president is discovered at the crash site of Marine One, blinded and injured, and is taken to a FEMA emergency shelter where he learns of Condor's orders. He contacts the Soviet president and they agree to a one-hour stand off. Aboard Looking Glass, Alice notices that Polar Bear 1 has abandoned its attack, and a Soviet squadron has apparently also turned back in response. Alice begs Condor to recall the rest of the US bombers so a ceasefire can be arranged. Condor instead orders Alice to send US Navy carrier-based fighters to shoot down Polar Bear 1. Alice hesitates and Fargo informs Condor that they can send the launch commands from Nightwatch. Condor cuts off communication with Looking Glass.

The original president contacts Alice and Looking Glass agrees to recall the bombers but lacks the authority to call off the submarine attack. Two US Navy fighters intercept Polar Bear 1 over the Pacific Ocean to shoot it down, but when their aircraft carrier is sunk they call off the attack and wish Polar Bear 1 good luck instead. The real president finally connects with Condor. Fearing he is an impersonator, Condor orders the Nightwatch staff to contact the US submarines. Alice and the Looking Glass staff agree to ram their plane into Nightwatch before Condor can send out launch orders and the Nightwatch pilots obligingly sacrifice themselves by turning their aircraft into the path of Looking Glass. The real president successfully issues a message to stand down on the American attack, leaving Cassidy and Moreau to wonder what happens next.

Cast[]

Production[]

Principal photography took place from August 7 to late September 1989.[2] The use of military hardware such as the B-52 bomber and Boeing E-4 enabled a realistic account of the Strategic Air Command in action.[3]

Differences from the source material[]

There are two major differences between the plot of the novel and the film, the first being that the crisis in the novel is started by a deliberate Soviet attack to counter the US military buildup with which they are unable to compete.[4] The other major difference in the film is the romantic subplot between Moreau and Cassidy, which is absent in the book; the characters there actually ridicule the idea of such a relationship between them.[5]

Reception[]

Contemporary reviews of By Dawn's Early Light centered on the confrontation by nuclear powers and gave it accolades. "There never has been a made-for-cable movie as sleek and efficient as By Dawn's Early Light. Fast-moving, complex, and only occasionally a bit hokey, it's by far the best original movie project HBO has overseen."[6] "Boasting high production values, okay special effects, and a surprisingly top-notch cast... a thrilling drama that is your better-than-average made-for-TV movie."[7] More recent reviews were similar: "Probably the end of the line for Cold War confrontation on this scale, but compelling drama nonetheless."[3]

Awards and honors[]

In 1990, James Earl Jones was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special[8] and Matte World Digital[1] won for Outstanding Achievement in Special Visual Effects.[8]

See also[]

References[]

Notes[]

Citations[]

  1. ^ a b "By Dawn's Early Light". Matte World Digital. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Notes: 'By Dawn's Early Light' (1990)". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  3. ^ a b Freitas 2011, p. 91.
  4. ^ Prochnau 1983, pp. 31, 46, 296.
  5. ^ Prochnau 1983, pp. 16, 64, 245.
  6. ^ Tucker, Ken. "Review: By Dawn's Early Light." Entertainment Weekly, June 8, 1990. Retrieved: May 10, 2012.
  7. ^ Leong, Anthony. "Review: 'By Dawn's Early Light' Movie." MediaCircus, 1997. Retrieved: May 10, 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Primetime Awards." Archived 2012-02-05 at WebCite Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved: May 10, 2012.

Bibliography[]

  • Frietas, Gary A. War Movies: The Belle & Blade Guide to Classic War Videos. Bandon, Oregon: Robert D. Reed Publishers, 2011. ISBN 978-1931741385.
  • Lisboa, Maria Manuel. The End of the World: Apocalypse and Its Aftermath in Western Culture. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers, 2011. ISBN 978-1-90692-450-8.
  • Prochnau, William. Trinity's Child. London: Putnam Publishing Group, 1983. ISBN 978-0-399-12777-9.

External links[]

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