Sep 26th   
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines***  (U)
Sub-title: Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes
(Pictureville Cinema, Bradford)

(GB 1965)
Twentieth Century Fox. 135m. Todd-AO

In 1910 a London newspaper owner launches an air race between London and Parris, with various nationalities taking part for better or worse.
Entertaining comedy adventure, a "fun" epic as opposed to the more traditionally sombre serious subjects for this kind of cinema, and as such highly commercial. Based loosely on Bleriot's flight across the Channel and other milestones in aviation, with several enjoyable comedy cameos, some excellent reconstructions (especially aircraft), and suitable music to capture the atmosphere of the whole thing.

Written by: Jack Davies, Ken Annakin,
Producer: Stan Marguilles.
Director: Ken Annakin.
Starring: James Fox, Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, Robert Morley, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Irina Demick, Gert Frobe, Terry-Thomas, Eric Sykes, Alberto Sordi, Zena Marshall, Karl Michael Vogler, Sam Wanamaker, Tony Hancock, Willie Rushton, Michael Trubshawe, Benny Hill, Yujiro Ishihara, Flora Robson, Fred Emney, Cicely Courtneidge, Red Skelton, James Robertson Justice (narrator).
Photography: Christopher Challis, Skeets Kelly.
Music: Ron  Goodwin.

 Titles: Ronald Searle.
Production Design: Tim Morahan.

100 Favourite Films: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines