Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines

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Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines

G

Released Jun 16, 1965

2h 12m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In 1910, newspaper mogul Lord Rawnsley (Robert Morley) decides to offer a large cash sum to the first pilot to successfully fly over the English Channel. Aviation experts from near and far enter the race, including the underhanded Sir Percy Ware-Armitage (Terry-Thomas), wild American flyer Orvil Newton (Stuart Whitman) and British ace Richard Mays (James Fox). Orvil and Richard come out as the front-runners, but both men are distracted by Rawnsley's lovely daughter, Patricia (Sarah Miles).

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Good-natured and routinely humorous, though noticeably overlong (complete with intermission).

Rated: 6/10

Aug 27, 2020

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Joan Didion

Vogue

While this sounds trying, it is not, so light and pretty and stylish is the picture, everything swimming in the green grass of England and the sweet lambent air of a 1910 that never was.

Mar 2, 2020

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Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Top gun of slapstick early-aviation comedies.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 15, 2010

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 19, 2005

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Funny, zany and full of magnificent vintage airplanes; Red Skelton open and close is great.

Rated: 4/5

May 31, 2005

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 2/5

May 16, 2005

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N L

this movie is a serious laff and a half

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/23

Full Review

isla s

This film features numerous quirky characters, plenty of visual, slapstick, madcap style comedy. After you watch this, you may find yourself humming either the theme tune, or 'frere jacques', the tune to which is played multiple times. I liked the arguments had between the rather pompous English/Brits and the American contestants and, of course, there's a romantic angle with one of the female characters and a somewhat rough and ready, almost cowboy type American. It was amusing enough to hear an English competitor utter 'you....dirty rotter!'. It has quite a jolly feel, with the instrumental pieces played while we watch various competitors trying to come in first place. Its not at all a rude or offensive film, which is nice - it dates from the mid 1960s I believe and its set in 1910, for reference. I would recommend this film for anyone keen on a period comedy drama thats suitable for family viewing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

I guess the subject is timeless but the film itsself has stood time quite well -- for me Gert Frobe was the star as the ultimate stiff german officer

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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steve d

it seems to barley have a script.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

If your into those corny 60s comedies, then you should give this movie a try.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

Bloated inferior version of The Great Race which could have done with some muscular editing. Redeeming feature is Terry Thomas's performance otherwise nothing special. Drat and double drat!

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

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Ken Annakin

Director

Stuart Whitman

Orvil Newton

Sarah Miles

Patricia Rawnsley

James Fox

Richard Mays

Alberto Sordi

Count Emilio Ponticelli

Robert Morley

Lord Rawnsley

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Synopsis

In 1910, newspaper mogul Lord Rawnsley (Robert Morley) decides to offer a large cash sum to the first pilot to successfully fly over the English Channel. Aviation experts from near and far enter the race, including the underhanded Sir Percy Ware-Armitage (Terry-Thomas), wild American flyer Orvil Newton (Stuart Whitman) and British ace Richard Mays (James Fox). Orvil and Richard come out as the front-runners, but both men are distracted by Rawnsley's lovely daughter, Patricia (Sarah Miles).

Director: Ken Annakin
Producer: Stan Margulies
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 16, 1965, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 2h 12m

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