Those Magnificent Men And Their Flying Machines

Those Magnificent Men And Their Flying Machines.

The film is set back in 1910 when the British ruled the seas but not the skies. It is a comedy film with some bombastic flavour, especially how peculiar certain kites looked in comparison to Fokker and Sopwith camel a few years later. It follows the main protagonist, as Captain Richard Mays. He suggests to Lord Rawnsley, an international air race from London to Paris, because it was apparent the Frenchman (not too sure they meant Pierre Dubois' or some other Frenchman for that matter.

Oh yeah I’m only going to really cover the main characters or ones that has more of an impact. I might do a separate blog for minor characters for a later date.

Some of the best quotes of Richard May are of the following: “British ruled the seas but not the skies”, “I’m soldiering all day, and I’m rather busy in the evenings, too. Monday I dine in, Tuesday’s card night at White’s, Wednesday I play snooker with the adjutant, Thursday I… Well, we like to end up at Romano’s. That only leaves Friday.” “You’re getting better at being observant.” (Paraphrasing)

Patricia: “ Look father, he’s teaching her to fly.” 

Lord Rawnsley: What do you mean? ,  “Yes but what about weekends?” “ I thought you did” “British ruled the seas but not the skies. I like that idea of mine.” “The trouble with these international affairs is they attract foreigners.”

Oberst (Colonel) Manfred Von Holstein: “Read please.”,  “The way we do everything in the German army: from the book of instructions.” “  There is nothing a German officer cannot do.” Now that’s some form of dedication for ze Kaiser ja?  And of course what ever his farting noises are equated to.

Count Emilio Ponticelli

“Oh my darling. It’s wonderful. I’m going to be very happy here.” “Like-a Caesar, we go to England!”  “It is a pity that the race will now be won by a Protestant.” “Good morning m’lord.”

Mother Superior: A Protestant? Sisters, don't stand there gazing. This good Catholic needs our help!  

And yes he really needed a lot of help to get his kite flying.

Sir Percy Ware-Armitage: You dirty rotter! I had hoped I'd be dealing with a gentleman.

Trawler Skipper: So had I.

Sir Percy Ware-Armitage: And I've arranged for the Frenchman to be detained by a lovely young lady.
Courtney: Ho, ho, guvnor, I'll bet she's a bit of all right.
Sir Percy Ware-Armitage: You should know, Courtney, she's your daughter.
Courtney: But guvnor, she's an innocent young girl.
Sir Percy Ware-Armitage: Not is, Courtney, WAS.

Yamamoto: To cut me down you bloody fool.

Orville: Well howdy.

Now that the quotes are out of the way, my main attention now would be how I loved their action shots, blue screen, yes blue because green screen came later. Their clothing is also a thing that appeals to me because it feels historically authentic. Likewise, the social attitudes of the day, plus the whole suffragette’s poster. As since it’s 1910, I’d expect this sort of thing to happen.

Now the aeroplanes most definitely needs a lot of attention because it’s not called those Magnificent Men And Their Flying Machines for nothing. The most practical one of them all belongs to Yamamoto because he flew it all the way from Japan and plus it was revolutionary at the time. Some of the other planes were bat shit insane and I think one of them appeared in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The theme tune is quite honestly catchy and sometimes stays stuck in my head for a few weeks or months, but that’s fine. I’d expect the song to be absolutely silly, and at least it was in tune. The beginning sketches were brilliant seeing the evolution of people trying to fly, or for I’d assume Ancient Greece, forced to. They failed just as horrendously as Icarus, but there again I’m not an aviator.

Would I recommend watching this film? Why yes I most certainly do if you’re into historical drama, comedy, aviation or just want a belly laugh.