Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines

Also known as Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines; Or, How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes

1965 British film directed by Ken Annakin

Film · TMDB

6.8

In order to boost circulation of his newspaper, Lord Rawnsley announces an air race and offers £10,000 to the first person who can fly across the English Channel. But one of the participants, Percy, plots to sabotage his competitor's planes. Will Percy triumph?

Released: 1965-06-16138 minDir: Ken AnnakinComedyBudget: $5.6MBox office: $29.9MPart of: Those Magnificent Men in Their...Collection

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Cast

Stuart Whitman as Orvil Newton
Sarah Miles as Patricia Rawnsley
James Fox as Richard Mays
Alberto Sordi as Count Emilio Ponticelli
Robert Morley as Lord Rawnsley
Gert Fröbe as Colonel Manfred von Holstein

Themes

aviation

~32 min read

Article

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours and 11 Minutes is a 1965 British epic period comedy film that satirises the early years of aviation. Directed and co-written by Ken Annakin, the film stars an international ensemble cast, including Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, James Fox, Alberto Sordi, Robert Morley, Gert Fröbe, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Eric Sykes and Terry-Thomas.

Set in 1910, the film follows a fictitious air race from London to Paris, with a £10,000 (equivalent to £1,000,000 in 2025) prize, intended to prove that Britain is "number one in the air". The film's flying scenes featured dozens of period-accurate, life-sized working aeroplanes. It was shot in 65 mm Todd-AO by cinematographer Christopher Challis, and features a film score composed by Ron Goodwin.