Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  A comedy classic, very much of its time, full of slap-stick and silly humour. The cast is brilliant too, an eclectic mix of European favourites but mainly British comedic masters. I love the story, I love the actors and the humour, Ken Annakin is a great British director, often… More
  A comedy classic, very much of its time, full of slap-stick and silly humour. The cast is brilliant too, an eclectic mix of European favourites but mainly British comedic masters. I love the story, I love the actors and the humour, Ken Annakin is a great British director, often overlooked but more than often his films are universally enjoyed without anyone knowing much about him. For me though, the only fault I have with this film is that the sequel is much better, so if you liked this, please watch Monte Carlo or Bust (AKA Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies). Fans of The Great Race and It's a Mad mad mad mad World will know what I'm on about! (It also continues the fantastic partnership of Eric Sykes and Terry Thomas, both playing their characters sons).

• Jens S

  
  One of those childhood classics they always showed on holidays to watch over and over again. Sure, it doesn't work quite as well anymore as it used to, with me growing up and expectations of movies changing so much. But the mere nostalgia was already worth the re-watch. A 1910… More
  One of those childhood classics they always showed on holidays to watch over and over again. Sure, it doesn't work quite as well anymore as it used to, with me growing up and expectations of movies changing so much. But the mere nostalgia was already worth the re-watch. A 1910 flying competition between pilots from several nations causing plenty of plane action and slapstick chases, making fun of pretty much all nations involved: the British snob, the German military man, the French womanizer, the Italian family man and the American hero, all are equally silly and still pretty likable, just like the movie itself. Unforgettable: Gert Fröbe doing his one man marching band sounds. When do we see a revival of these over the top adventure movies?

• xGary X

  
  This live action version of an airborne wacky races is predictable slapstick but moustache twirling Terry Thomas is always worth watching as the original Dick Dastardly.

• Dean M

  
  Terry-Thomas' so hilarious in this extraordinary comic version of the historic 1910 London to Paris air race.

• Byron B

  
  Another 60's comedy that I had seen years ago and re-watched (on tv) recently. I'm not sure if anyone on the production of this movie worked for Disney's live action division or if it is the general popularity of these big comedies during this decade, but this reminds… More
  Another 60's comedy that I had seen years ago and re-watched (on tv) recently. I'm not sure if anyone on the production of this movie worked for Disney's live action division or if it is the general popularity of these big comedies during this decade, but this reminds me of numerous wholesome family comedy adventures. This movie is slightly more subversive though. There is a huge cast with many recognizable faces and several soon to be famous names. The credits are done with that kooky 60's animation. The bookmarks of the picture with Red Skelton, archival footage of attempted flights, and recreated clips of attempted flights are silly, but also curiously of historical value. Once we get into the central adventure of the air race I couldn't help but chuckle at the mostly slapstick misadventure. Sarah Miles as the feisty young English woman challenging a woman's role in mechanics and flight was impressive. The movie keeps track of such a large cast of international characters and yet moves along at a brisk pace. It is corny how the American and British are the ultimately winners. They fight over the girl besides, as expected. The American flyer Orvil (Whitman), who is of course portrayed as a cowboy, is a risk taking hero, but doesn't seem to be a real person. The last standing British flyer Richard (Fox) is a snobbish chauvinist. In short the comedy is full of stereotypes, but it is mostly good fun.

• Barry L

  
  I cant rave about this enough...What a wonderful film. I loved the era and could watch this now.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings