Search - The Errol Flynn Signature Collection, Vol. 2 (The Charge of the Light Brigade / Gentleman Jim / The Adventures of Don Juan / The Dawn Patrol / Dive Bomber) on DVD

Matt V. from NORTHPORT, AL
Reviewed on 9/18/2024...

Here is a big warning about this particular collection - DISC ROT!

I bought mine in the 2000's from Barnes and Noble. I played the movies once and then they sat on the shelf, in a temperature controlled and smoke-free home.

When I tried to play them recently (Summer 2024) only 'Charge of the Light Brigade' would load and then it stopped about 43 minutes in.

Multiple machines later, it was clear the discs were unusable.

Researching the issue on the WWW, it seems I am not the only one to have these problems. In fact, MANY folks report similar issues, especially with 'Gentleman Jim'.

So, be aware that if the collection appears here (or Ebay or other sites) there is a high percentage that the discs will be frustrating to play and cause you some angst.

I have found that the Warner Archive editions of these movies are just great, though.

So, now you know...

Note: My rating is about the collection and its inherent troubles, NOT the movies which all rate a 5!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Second Flynn Collection A MUST for Flynn Fans!

Benjamin J Burgraff | Las Vegas | 02/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While every Errol Flynn fan has individual titles they will champion as 'Essential' Flynn, "The Errol Flynn Signature Collection, Vol. 2", combined with the first volume, offers a pretty complete collection of the premier screen cavalier's most memorable screen appearances...and two of the films in this collection ("The Charge of the Light Brigade" and "The Adventures of Don Juan"), are absolute MUSTS!



"The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1936): Flynn's follow-up to "Captain Blood" is a tour-de-force of adventure, romance, and spectacle, climaxing in, arguably, the greatest (and bloodiest) cavalry charge in screen history! More Rudyard Kipling than Tennyson, most of the story occurs in India, with noble Flynn saving the life of a genocide-minded tyrant, losing Olivia de Havilland (for once!) to future 'Will Scarlet' Patric Knowles, and chumming with doomed best friend (both on and off screen), David Niven. Eventually the action moves to the Crimea, and the infamous Charge, an astonishing spectacle that, sadly, cost the lives of at least one stunt man, and hundreds of horses (Flynn, himself, would be so distraught by the carnage that he helped establish the present standards against animal cruelty).



Unforgettable!



"The Adventures of Don Juan" (1948): Warner's attempt to resuscitate Flynn's sagging career failed, but the film is an absolutely enchanting, tongue-in-cheek swashbuckler many consider his last 'great' film! Looking a bit worn (he fell off the wagon early in the production, which ended up taking nearly a year to complete), Flynn is the immortal roué, too often caught during trysts (a familiar real-life dilemma for Flynn!). Returned to Spain in disgrace, accompanied by loyal Alan Hale (in the last of his 12 films with Errol), he eventually wins the heart of the Queen, foils a plot to overthrow the monarchy, and fights a furious duel with villain Robert Douglas, all to one of the GREATEST of Max Steiner's scores!



A real TREAT!



Two other films of the collection are also great Flynn; "The Dawn Patrol" (1938) re-teams Flynn with David Niven and Basil Rathbone (a VERY sympathetic 'villain', this time!), in one of the BEST WWI dramas, of burnt-out fliers pushed to their limits; "Gentleman Jim" (1942), one of Flynn's own personal favorites, is a funny, light-hearted biopic of boxer James J. Corbett, father of 'modern' boxing, with fabulous turns by Alan Hale (as Flynn's FATHER!), and Ward Bond (unforgettable as the aging John L. Sullivan).



The only (slight) disappointment is "Dive Bomber" (1941), in the collection, I suspect, because it was filmed in color! A dated tale of the Navy's research into the effects of high altitude flying on pilots, the film boasts a first-rate cast (including Fred MacMurray and Ralph Bellamy), and Flynn at his most handsome, but it lacks the charm and excitement of the other titles...Still, this isn't a bad film!



Happily, Flynn is BACK...and with his five WWII-themed films still to be released, perhaps a Flynn 'War' collection will be next!





"

ERROL FLYNN RETURNS IN A DAZZLING BOXED SET..BRAVO!

Eric | Columbus, OH | 03/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The immortals of the screen's golden era transcend time because each of the true greats was an orginal. Unique. Incomparable. Gable, Garland, Garbo, Davis, Bogart, Cagney, John Wayne, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy...no one was like them before, or ever will be again. The same can surely be said about the wonderful Errol Flynn.



Warner Bros. has been quite generous in delivering us many Flynn titles in recent years, and there are dozens to go! This latest set will not dissapoint his fans, with 5 entertaining, classic vehicles, assembled in an impressive newly designed sleeve that takes the WB Signature Collection series to a higher plane of elegance and magnetism.



Every film here is top-drawer, but my particular favorite has to be CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. An undeniable classic which has never looked so good. All the transfers here are the best I've ever seen, and the vintage extras Warner has included are like the cherry on top of the sundae.



I'm sure WB has another 2 or 3 Flynn sets waiting in the wings...and why not. He made several dozen films for the studio, and only a handful don't classify as timeless entertainment."

BRAVO WB and Errol Flynn! possibly better than vol. 1!!!

Richardson | Sunny California USA | 03/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay...I just bounced around this set and can tell everyone that the transfers are typically excellent for Warner Bros (the absolute BEST studio at handling classic titles!)...the extras are plentiful and just too much fun. The Warner Bros Night at the movies concept is really terrific and they seem to work hard to dig up material from the day that really add to the experience and place the films in historical context.

and speaking of the films...WOW! Its nice to see Errol out of the green tights and in a suit and tie. There isn't a clunker in the group...Charge of the light brigade is a stone cold classic and another in a long series of pairings with Ms DeHavilland, Dawn Patrol features David Niven (also co-starring in Charge)...Dive Bomber is an early Technicolor triumph and perhaps the jewel of the collection is Gentleman Jim (reportedly Flynn's favorite of his films). What Flynn set would be complete however without a swashbuckler and Adventures of Don Juan ...delivers the goods with a brilliant technicolor transfer ...and commentary by the late great director Vincent Sherman!!



This is a terrific package at a ridiculous price...I've spent this much for 2 tickets for a current movie and this is a collection I will treasure. Thanks WB! Please let 2008 bring volume 3!!"