

By Dawn's Early Light
“Four people... Three minutes... Two choices... One chance for survival.”
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.
Where to watch By Dawn's Early Light in United States
Click a service to open By Dawn's Early Light there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
About By Dawn's Early Light
By Dawn's Early Light is a 1990 English-language tv movie, action and drama film directed by Jack Sholder. The cast is led by Powers Boothe, Rebecca De Mornay, James Earl Jones. It has a runtime of 1h 41m. Viewers rate it 6.5/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
By Dawn's Early Light was produced by Daniel L. Paulson Productions and made in United States of America. It was released on May 19, 1990, and carries a PG certification.
- Director
- Jack Sholder
- Release date
- May 19, 1990
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- PG
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America
- Production
- Daniel L. Paulson Productions
By Dawn's Early Light cast & crew
By Dawn's Early Light was directed by Jack Sholder.
The cast features Powers Boothe as Cassidy, Rebecca De Mornay as Moreau, James Earl Jones as Alice, Martin Landau as President, Darren McGavin as Condor, and Rip Torn as Colonel Fargo.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Trevor Jones, cinematography is by Alexander Gruszynski, and it was produced by Bruce Gilbert and Thomas M. Hammel.
Is By Dawn's Early Light worth watching?
By Dawn's Early Light holds an audience score of 6.5/10 from 66 ratings, a solidly received tv movie films.
At 1h 41m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy tv movie, action, and drama, By Dawn's Early Light is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch By Dawn's Early Light
In United States, you can stream By Dawn's Early Light on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
Rate & review
Your rating and review are saved privately in this browser — no account needed.
Cast of By Dawn's Early Light

Powers Boothe
Cassidy

Rebecca De Mornay
Moreau

James Earl Jones
Alice

Martin Landau
President

Darren McGavin
Condor

Rip Torn
Colonel Fargo

Jeffrey DeMunn
Harpoon

Peter MacNicol
Sedgwick

Glenn Withrow
Tyler

Ronald William Lawrence
Hooker

Kieran Mulroney
Radnor

Nicolas Coster
Icarus
By Dawn's Early Light — FAQs
▸Where can I watch By Dawn's Early Light in United States?
By Dawn's Early Light is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads in United States.
▸Is By Dawn's Early Light on Amazon Prime Video?
Yes — By Dawn's Early Light is currently available on Amazon Prime Video in United States.
▸What language is By Dawn's Early Light in?
By Dawn's Early Light is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is By Dawn's Early Light?
By Dawn's Early Light runs 1 hours 41 minutes (101 minutes).
▸What is By Dawn's Early Light rated?
By Dawn's Early Light is rated PG. It holds a 6.5/10 audience score from 66 ratings.











