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By Dawn's Early Light

By Dawn's Early Light

TV Movie · Action · Drama · 1990

A nuclear warhead launched by Soviet insurgents protesting the waning Cold War destroys the Ukrainian city of Donetsk. The destruction sets off a race between American and Soviet politicians to prevent a nuclear holocaust. While the U.S. president feverishly works to keep the military and political machine from going into overdrive, various subordinates panic. When the president is believed to be killed in a helicopter crash, zealous advisers take over.

Movie details

By Dawn's Early Light

“Four people... Three minutes... Two choices... One chance for survival.”

1990 TV Movie · Action · Drama 1h 41m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.5 / 10

Community rating

A nuclear warhead launched by Soviet insurgents protesting the waning Cold War destroys the Ukrainian city of Donetsk. The destruction sets off a race between American and Soviet politicians to prevent a nuclear holocaust. While the U.S. president feverishly works to keep the military and political machine from going into overdrive, various subordinates panic. When the president is believed to be killed in a helicopter crash, zealous advisers take over.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over By Dawn's Early Light?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Jack Sholder

Written by

Bruce Gilbert

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Powers Boothe

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Rebecca De Mornay

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James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones

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Martin Landau

Martin Landau

President

Darren McGavin

Darren McGavin

Condor

Rip Torn

Rip Torn

Colonel Fargo

Jeffrey DeMunn

Jeffrey DeMunn

Harpoon

Court is in session

Put By Dawn's Early Light on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.