 | |
List Price: $14.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 4330
Released: March 16, 2004 |
| Our Price: $7.36 |
| Used Price: $6.24 |
|
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
This extraordinary comic version of the historic 1910 London-to-Paris air race features the greatest aviators from around the world. They all come together when a stuffy, but very rich, newspaper publisher decides to sponsor an airplane race across the English Channel. Convinced it will give his newspaper worldwide publicity, the publisher offers 10,000 pounds to the winner. The escapades between the American, British, French, German, Italian and Japanese teams result in the most darling and hilarious in-flight acrobatic stunts ever caught on film. But the film's greatest triumph is the amazing re-creation of the vintage airplanes which did the actual flying.
Description of Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines:
An air race from London to Paris provides the premise for this marvelous comedy, which features thrilling aerial photography and some stupefying stunt flying. It's set in 1910, when the (lovingly re-created) airplanes of the period were likelier to sputter and crash than they were to go in a straight line. The international contest requires an international cast, including Stuart Whitman as a cowboy American interested in the ladylove (Sarah Miles) of an English ace (James Fox). Alberto Sordi and Gert Frobe represent the Italian and German nations; Terry-Thomas plans frightful sabotage for race day. From the jaunty opening song and the great opening-credits drawings by Gerald Searle onward, the movie has a pleasingly breezy tone that sits well with the meticulous flying sequences. This is a delightful example of a certain kind of internationally flavored film of the period, somewhat similar to The Great Race, released the same year (1965). --Robert Horton
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines Reviews:
Those Magnigicent Men in Their Flying Machines 
2009-09-16 - DVD arrived on expected delivery date. Cover had no damage and video was in perfect condition. Movie is a classic and if you love airplanes and the history of aircraft or just like a good comedy this is a great movie to have. It is a comic version of the historic 1910 London-to-Paris air race.
Suitable for children? 
2009-09-10 - I am a seventeen year old movie buff and am writing a series of reviews on films from the late fifties on so that parents can know what content issues may arise from these films. The sixties and seventies were known for pushing the content envelope to new levels and despite the common "if it's old it's ok for kids," statement, there are many films during this period that are not suitable for children.
After the review, I have also included my personal opinions on whether or not a film is suitable for children and whether or not the film is worth watching. Please do not be offended by my reviews because they are just stating the facts. I am trying to be as un-biased as possible.
Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines
Plot
An air race is planned from London to France. Fliers from all the world arrive. The race is on... and slapstick comedy, romance, incredible stunts, heroism and villainy are sure to follow.
Violent Content
Nothing serious. There is a lot comic action involving plane crashes and even a gun duel, but there is no blood and it is all handled in the typical Laurel & Hardy fashion. No one is killed although there are a few close calls involving planes in the air.
Sexual Content
This is where the film loses a lot of its kid friendliness. There is a lot of innuendo. A Frenchman played by Jean Pierre-Cassel seduces a string of woman (off-screen, but we hear many jokes about it) and insists on greeting pretty woman with a slap on the bottom. At one point, it is implied that he has a roll in hay (quite literally) with a French woman. The main character (played by Stuart Whitman) accidentally pulls a woman's skirt off (she is wearing modest period underwear) several times.
The most explicit sexual content and the closest the film comes to nudity is a scene in which a man paints a nude woman. We see the model's bare back almost down to her rear, and all of her legs. From a far out view we see her completely nude from behind. This scene is brief, and she covers herself with a towel almost immediately (not the most modest towel, but she is covered), but most parents will probably want to use the remote there.
Language
Also, surprisingly heavy. There are numerous d-words and h-words, and one s-word (although chances are, unless you are using subtitles you'll miss it).
Morales
Womanizing, drinking, and cussing are commonplace. Whitman and James Fox eventually make up their differences and become friends. Whitman risks losing the race in order to save another flier. The bad guy loses in the end. Pure love is idolized. A female character is a feminist.
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines is a huge movie. When it arrived in theatres in 1965, it was a huge hit wiping out similar films such as The Great Race and even It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, World from two years earlier as the most success epic comedy of the time. It is, however, not really a family film, despite the fact that many families will end up watching it. It has a G-rating, yes, but the film contains near-nudity and some language. So the film shoots itself in the foot by including content likely to offend the audience most likely to enjoy it. So, if you want something the little guys can enjoy, you'd probably be better off sticking to Hogan's Heroes.
Fun movie
2009-07-12 - I am a fan of movies and have many that I like, but there is a list of about 10 movies from my childhood that are my all time favorites. This movie is on that list. I love the crazy antics,the prat falls, even the plane going into the cesspool that makes me cringe. This is a family friendly film though I think adults will probably enjoy the jokes more.The cast is wonderful and this movie is fully enjoyable.
Still A classic
2009-06-28 - This movie gets better every time I see it. It will always be a classic in my movie collection.
Flying Machines
2009-03-12 - This tapestry is woven around some early flying machines and I think it is MAGNIFICENT.
If you love flying and you enjoy a tale that has some history woven in here and there, you will love this DVD. It is one of those that can be watched again without boredom.
