Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 hours 11 minutes (1965) - full transcript

Ever since man started to
think, he's wanted to fly.

But flying was strictly
for the birds...

and continued to be so
for thousands of years.

Man, eternally
optimistic, kept trying.

Encouraged by his many
successes, man kept trying.

Through his genius and
his inventiveness,

he managed to get his
machines off the ground,

and sometimes he brought
them down again.

Bravo. Bravo.

All over the world, early pioneers
were making flying history.

And in Italy, Count
Emilio Ponticelli...



made what many people claimed was
the first long-distance flight.

There was no doubt about it,

by 1910, flying had
become the rage.

Man had conquered the air,

and people everywhere
were all agog about...

those magnificent men in
their flying machines.

♪ Those magnificent men in
their flying machines ♪

♪ They go up tiddly up up They
go down tiddly down down ♪

♪ They enchant all the ladies
and steal all the scenes ♪

♪ With their up tiddly up up ♪

♪ And their down
tiddly down down ♪

♪ Up, down ♪

♪ Flying around ♪

♪ Looping the loop and
defying the ground ♪



♪ They're all frightfully keen ♪

♪ Those magnificent men in
their flying machines ♪

♪ They can fly upside with
their feet in the air ♪

♪ They don't think of danger
They really don't care ♪

♪ Newton would think he
had made a mistake ♪

♪ To see those young men and
the chances they take ♪

♪ Those magnificent men in
their flying machines ♪

♪ They go up tiddly up up They
go down tiddly down down ♪

♪ They enchant all the ladies
and steal all the scenes ♪

♪ With their up tiddly up up ♪

♪ And their down
tiddly down down ♪

♪ Up, down, flying around ♪

♪ Looping the loop and
defying the ground ♪

♪ They're all frightfully keen ♪

♪ Those magnificent men ♪

♪ In their flying machines ♪

Hello, Richard.

Oh, Richard. Oh, Richard,
please take me up.

Oh, no, not today. No,
it's much too windy.

Come on. We'll swing her round.

And anyway, strictly speaking,
I'm still on duty. Lift.

It isn't too windy for you to fly.

Come on. Give a hand.

Oh, Richard, look at that bird.

It can go wherever it
likes, whenever it likes.

- You're so lucky.
- Yes, I know.

Oh, I'd like to soar through the
air and look down on the world.

Right, let her down.

I think I'd make a very nice bird.

Yes, I daresay. Thank you, Carter.

Richard, isn't the
rigging a bit tight?

It seems to be
stretching the fabric.

You're getting rather
good at noticing things.

Well, I should jolly well
hope so. Thank you, Carter.

After all the work I've
done on this contraption.

Patricia,

did you get a chance to talk
to your father about my idea?

Yes, he's very interested, but
you'll still have to talk to him.

Oh, well, I can do
that, all right.

Tell him it will increase the
circulation of his newspaper.

Wave the flag. You know,
Britannia rules the sea,

but she doesn't rule the sky,
and all that sort of thing.

Yes, I know exactly what to say.

Good. Then, when he's
agreed to your idea,

you're to ask him if you
can take me flying.

Hmm. Yes, I might.

This afternoon?

- All right.
- Oh.

Patricia, not now. I'm in uniform.

Oh, Richard, don't be so silly.

Follow me in your motorcar.
I'll try not to go too fast.

Oh.

- What's the trouble?
- Oh, nothing.

- Father doesn't know about this.
- Oh.

Won't be a minute.

- Well?
- Very nice.

You look just like a girl.

Thank you.

You know, one of these days, your
father's going to find you out.

I know.

Exciting, isn't it?

The trouble with aviation today
is that too many good ideas...

are being dissipated in
too many aeroplanes.

If we could bring
together all these

different types from
all over the world,

then everyone could
learn from each other.

From all over the world?

If possible, Lord
Rawnsley. The French

and the Americans are
well ahead of us.

- I never knew that.
- Well, it's our own fault.

Believe it or not, no Englishman
flew until three years ago.

Really?

Britannia may rule the waves, sir,

but she doesn't rule the
skies, not yet anyway.

Have some more Madeira.
Oh, you haven't finished.

Damn it. We should rule the sky.

I can see you're going to
be a real enthusiast, sir.

Anytime you should
care to come up...

No, thank you, Mays. I
may be an old fogy,

but I think that if the Lord
had intended me to fly,

he would have given me... wings.

You travel by train, Father,
but you haven't any wheels.

Do you really mean no Englishman
flew until three years ago?

That's right, sir.

Come and see me again
in a few days.

Meanwhile, I'll discuss your
idea with my circulation people.

Oh, thank you, sir.
Thank you very much.

By the by, sir, there's
one other thing.

I wonder if I might take
Patricia up this afternoon.

Up? Where?

Oh, into the sky, Father, flying.

Certainly not. I absolutely
forbid you to go up,

and I absolutely forbid you...

to take my daughter flying,
today or any other day.

- Is that understood?
- Yes, sir.

Absolutely, sir. Thank you, sir.

"I absolutely forbid
you to take my

daughter flying, today or any day.

Patricia, darling... Is that
absolutely understood?"

"Oh, yes, sir. Absolutely,
sir." Three bags full, sir.

It's not my fault. Now, Patricia,
you can't blame your father...

for thinking that flying
is dangerous. It is.

But when he gets
enthusiastic about

the idea, he'll change his mind.

Now, you'll see. Oh, Patricia.

No, Richard. You're in uniform.

If you won't take me flying,

I shall find someone who will.

Oh, all right.

I suppose you wouldn't like
to go have lunch at Windsor.

You could drive the
car if you like.

- Me?
- Yes.

Oh. Come on.

Well, that's my idea, gentlemen.

Not a festival but
something which will

fire the imagination of the world,

which will bring together all the

different types of
flying machines...

and, at the same time, increase
the circulation of my newspaper.

An air race, gentlemen,

initiated, sponsored and
rewarded by the Daily Post.

An air race which will show that

Britannia not only
rules the waves...

but intends, in future,
to rule the skies.

An air race between the two most
important capitals of the world.

London and Paris.

But that means flying
across the English Channel.

Well, of course it does. That's
the whole idea, Gascoyne.

Well, the French fellow
did it last year.

I presume some progress
has been made since then.

- Of course there has, sir.
- Very well.

I shall leave the details to
be worked out by my staff...

and you gentlemen of
the Royal Aero Club.

You, Gascoyne, will be
my liaison officer,

an aeronautical correspondent.

I shall expect you to go
aloft as often as possible.

Yes, sir. May one ask what
the prize will be, sir?

£10,000.

£10,000? Most generous, sir.

That should attract fliers
from all over the world.

That's the idea. Nevertheless,

I shall expect the prize to
be won by an Englishman.

"Great London-Paris air race.

"Daily Post offers £10,000 prize.

Competitors will
actually fly across

English Channel." That's not bad?

Could you add, "Foreign
newspapers, please copy"?

That's already done there
at the bottom of the page.

- Here are some more invitations.
- Good.

You know, between these
invitations and the newspapers,

we should reach every
flying man in the world.

Emilio Ponticelli, Italy.

Pierre Dubois, Dieppe,
France. France. Right.

Mademoiselle, s'il vous plaît.

Monsieur Dubois. Monsieur Dubois.

Monsieur Dubois.

Monsieur Dubois.

[Speaking French]
[Aeroplane Approaching]

- Mon Dieu.
- Dear me.

He is dead.

Oh, am I dead, or am I dreaming?

Ah, merveilleuse. You
are so charming.

- What's your name?
- Brigitte.

Brigitte? Oh, formidable.

Concussion.

Sir. [In French]

Monsieur, perhaps it is
important. It's from England.

Nom de chien.

250,000 francs?

- You?
- We must get down the machine.

- Yeah, What, me?
- Yes, you. Quick.

[Speaking German]

[Shouting In German]

Read it, please.

"His Imperial Majesty
the Kaiser commands...

"that a German officer wins the
"The London-Paris" air race.

You will make arrangements
accordingly."

[Man, In German]

- Rumpelstrosse.
- Herr Colonel?

Order another flying machine.

Jawohl, Herr Colonel,
another flying machine.

But there's no one
else who can fly.

It cannot be difficult,

otherwise Winkler
couldn't have done it.

[Speaking German]

- Not that he was any good at it.
- Of course, Herr Colonel.

- So, Rumpelstrosse.
- Herr Colonel?

You will fly the new machine.

Jawohl, Herr Colonel.

But how will I learn to fly?

Same way as we learn everything
else in the German army,

from the book of instructions.

Come on.

I don't mind your being interested
in the ladies. That's natural.

But it ain't natural
to stand up and

wave to 'em when
you fly past them.

I lost my head, George.

Yeah. You lost most
of my investment too.

I told you I could fix it.

Maybe we better just
call it a day, Orvil.

Go back to work like
ordinary people.

George, you just don't
have the flying bug.

You don't fly, so you don't
know what it's like up there.

It ain't the going up
that discourages me.

It's the different ways you
keep finding of coming down.

Boy, when you're up there, you get
a sense of freedom and power that,

well, that you just don't
get from anything else.

No, sirree. I'm never
gonna give up flying.

Hey, Orvil, look at this.

"London to Paris air race.
First prize $50,000."

Whoo-ee.

"For further details,
turn to page six."

Whoa.

Somewhere out there is page six.

Where is the great Ponticelli?

Ah. There he is. There
he is over there.

Emilio.

Emilio, have you heard the news?

Papa. [Speaking Italian]
[All Speaking Italian]

Emilio, now you give
up flying, huh?

I promise, darling.

No more flying. Finito

Emilio, are you all right?

Every bone in my body is broken.

Emilio, have you seen this?

Sophia?

Look. I shall enter.

I shall win... for Italia.

- But you promised.
- Is postponed.

Come, we go and make-a the plans.

I'll buy the best-a flying
machine in the world.

Like-a Caesar, we go to England.

- Beautiful, children, let's go.
- Bravo.

Bravo. Emilio. Emilio. Italia.

[Shouting In Japanese Excitedly]

[Shouting Excitedly]

[Speaking Japanese]

- Yamamoto.
- [Speaking Japanese]

[Speaking Japanese]

[In Japanese]

£10,000.

Just imagine, do you know
we've had 83 entries?

Forty from the continent alone.

Ha. Interest in the
race is worldwide.

I really think it's one of
the best ideas I ever had.

Your go, Patricia.

Another entry, from Phoenix...

- Arizona, milord.
- Arizona.

Arizona? Oh.

Well, for someone to
come all that way,

must be either very
rich or very confident.

Well, as he's American,
he's probably both.

I say, there you are.

You didn't invite that
bounder, sir Percy, did you?

No, of course not. Then, what
the devil's he doing here?

I don't know.

- Hello, Miss Rawnsley.
- Hello.

Rawnsley, Mays. Just popped
in for an entrance form...

for that little junket
of yours to Gay Paree.

If you are referring to
an official entry form...

for my London to Paris air race,
my office will send you one.

Well, considering the
fact that I'm one

of England's foremost
aeroplanists,

it's rather jolly inefficient of
them not to send me one before.

I say, excuse me, if you'll
hold your mallet like this,

you'll play that shot much better.

I shall hold my mallet as
I've always held my mallet.

In that case, you'll
miss the shot.

What did I tell you?
Missed the shot.

Well, I expect we'll be seeing
you again soon, sir Percy.

Glad you're going
to join the race.

I'm not only going to join it,
dear boy. I'm going to win it.

Do you really think you
have a chance, sir Percy?

Miss Rawnsley,

I never leave anything to chance.

Hang on to the tail. I'm
revving up. Hang on.

Hey, Orvil, look at that.

Wow. So this is Brookley, huh?

- That's what you gotta beat.
- Yeah.

- Whoo-ee.
- Oh.

Hey, you take over.
I'll be right back.

- You all right?
- Yes, of course.

Oh, dear.

Thank you. No, no, the
other way. This way.

No, it's the other way.

- Oh, look what you've done.
- What I've done?

Oh. Haven't you ever
seen legs before?

Well, sure I have, lots of times,

particularly when you take
girls flying as often as I do,

you get to see lots of legs.

And bloomers too.

Oh, but none of them
as pretty as yours.

If that's supposed to be a
compliment, I'm not flattered.

Did you say you took girls flying?

Well, sure I do, all the
time, only back home.

I'm strictly here to race.

- Oh, you're one of the Americans.
- Huh.

Oh, well, that
explains everything.

- My bicycle, please.
- Oh, sure.

Say, do you work around here?

No. Why?

Well, I thought that,

Well, I'd like to see more of you.

You could have worded that better.

I'm afraid it's impossible.

I'm not being stuffy, but
we haven't been introduced.

Well, do we have to be?

But of course. English girls
don't care to be picked up.

So, until we are
properly introduced,

goodbye.

Ah, there you are, Mays.

Oh, hello, sir.

I'm glad you're in. I want
to have a word with you.

Oh, certainly, sir. Inside or out?

Out.

Well, I expect you know what
I want to talk to you about.

Oh, yes, sir, the race, of course.

No, no, not the race, Patricia.

She's getting rather keen on you.

Oh.

Well, are you intending
to propose to her?

Well, with your permission, sir.

My dear fellow, you can
take that for granted.

Your father was at school with me.

There's just one snag, sir.

Oh?

It's finding the
time for married life.

What do you mean?

Well, 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 snook
with the adjutant.

Thursday, well, we like
to end up at Romano's.

That only leaves Friday.

Yes, but what about the weekends?

Well, that's flying, sir.
It's the only time I've got.

But I could give up my card
night if you like, sir.

Oh, I don't think
that's necessary.

We don't want to spoil the girl.

You do love her, don't you?

- Oh, I do, sir, very much.
- I thought you did.

Well, glad to have had this little
talk. Nice to know you're serious.

So few young people
are these days.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, sir.

Well, over there are the hangars.

When you get delivery
of your plane,

you will put it in
the one nearest us.

First-a class for a first-a class
plane. Wait till you see it.

Oh, my darling, it's-a wonderful.

I'm going to be very happy here.

And I'm very happy for you too.

What is all that water?

- Actually, it's the sewage farm.
- What is sewage?

Actually, it's rather nasty,
really. Drains and all that.

Jolly useful. Most of the pilots
crash over there sometimes...

Crash?

They don't consider themselves
aeroplaners until they have.

- Oh, oh.
- Well, now,

you'll want to know all
about the practise times.

You are scheduled for
7:30 in the morning...

and 4:00 in the afternoon.

Ah, first-a class. You'll
be following the French.

I no follow any Frenchman. Italy
come-a first or no come at all.

We go. Finito. Andiam'
a casa. Andiamo.

Sir. Sir. I say, sir. Sir.

Sir, if you feel so
strongly about it,

sir, you can go before the French.

I can?

- First-a class.
- Okay, steady on.

Sophia, we go before the French.

- Who is this?
- It's Lord Rawnsley.

Ah. This is the English milord.

Good morning, milord.

Good heavens. He's brought
his entire family.

- Who is he?
- Emilio Ponticelli.

Richard says he's not
only a great pilot,

he's one of the richest
chaps in Italy.

Never stops buying
flying machines.

A great enthusiast for everything.

- Morning, milord.
- Morning, sir.

Righto, lads. Heave-ho,
onto the field.

[In German] [Repeating In German]

- [Continues In German]
- [Repeating In German]

Achtung.

[Chattering In French]

Brigitte. Oh, wonderful.

Every time I see
you, my heart sings.

Brigitte, no. Ingrid.
I am Swedish.

- Swedish?
- Yes.

But didn't I see you in Normandy?

It's possible.

Come. Come and teach me to fly.

[Speaking French]

Oh. [In French]

Oh. [Man, In French]

Look, Father. He's
teaching her to fly.

How ridiculous. Anyone can
see that young woman...

isn't in the least
mechanically minded.

- Good heavens, what's that?
- Does 35 miles an hour.

Wingspan of 30 feet.

Now, when you get up to
about 40 flaps a minute,

use the top power and you're away.

You are sure it will fly?

Of course it'll fly. What do you
think it's gonna do, lay an egg?

This has the power of an eagle,
the, the grace of a swan.

And it's a bargain
for 350 guineas.

Emilio.

Don't-a worry. It's-a going
to be first-a class.

Put it on for me, please.

No, I don't want
that. Is guaranteed.

Emilio, put it on for me, please.

Ah, Sophia.

All right.

Take it away.

Up. Up. Up.

Up. Up.

Oh, God.

Oh, well, we all make mistakes.

Easy with her.

- Watch the tail skid, Charlie.
- Right.

Morning, sir.

Morning, madam.

Morning, sir Percy.

I hope your hands are clean.

Come on, Courtney.

- Switch is off, sir?
- Switch is off, Courtney.

- Switch is on, sir?
- Switch is on, Courtney.

Contact, sir?

Contact, Courtney.

Come on, Courtney,
you lazy loafer.

Hang on. I haven't revved
up yet. Useless lot.

You. Yes, you. Go and
stand over there.

Give my chaps a hand, will you?

He's not supposed to
carry passengers.

Ooh, heck.

Stand by, lads. It's, sir Percy.

Make for the sewage farm.

Oh. Buzz off.

What the hell are you doing?

Whoo, that's my toe. Get your
backside out of my face.

What the hell are you
doing down there?

I can't land the plane.

Back to the sewage farm.

- He's gonna crash.
- Yeah.

You bounder. Look what
you've done to my aeroplane.

I'll kill you. Aaah.

- Come on, Courtney. Get on.
- Ooh.

[Man Shouting Commands In German]

Achtung. Halt.

[Shouting In German]

[Shouts In German]

[Phonograph: "Frère Jacques"]

["Frère Jacques" Continues]

[Yelling In French]

Is this where the Yankee
fellow hangs out?

Yes, governor, this is the place.

Are you quite certain
he's smaller than me?

- Oh, yes, governor.
- Right.

Stay there.

Hey, you there, Yankee chap.

Oh, howdy.

- Did you want me?
- I certainly do.

You caused me to crash
my flying machine.

I therefore intend giving
you a jolly good thrashing.

- Ready?
- Ready.

I suppose you think that's funny.

Well, pardon me.

You might wanna thrash
someone else with this.

Yes.

Got a cold, governor?

♪ Ooh-ooh ♪

You're late.

Ooh, Richard. Ooh, you
taste of castor oil.

Ew.

Did you fix the extra petrol tank?

Yes. And changed the oil.

Did need changing. You
were quite right.

Of course. I'm always right.

And now you're going to help
me grease the undercarriage.

- Whoops.
- Now, come on.

Right. You begin greasing here.

On the axle?

It could do with it.

Say, you've really got yourself
something here, don't you?

- Anything I can do for you?
- Well, I was,

I was hoping that you might let me
borrow a monkey wrench from you.

Monkey wrench?

Oh. Well, I can let you
have an adjustable

spanner if that's what you mean.

Well, I guess that's what
they call it in England.

- You're Orvil Newton, aren't you?
- That's right.

- I'm Richard Mays.
- Howdy-do.

I'll get it for you.

Oh. May I present Miss
Patricia Rawnsley?

Well, howdy-do.

Now, wouldn't you say this
constitutes a formal introduction?

Well, yes, I suppose so.

Do you have to do that
every time we meet?

Oh, please.

Well, I... Go on.

Hurry up.

Thank you.

Your monkey wrench, Mr Newton.

Well, thank you.
Thank you very much.

I'll bring it back just as
soon as I'm through with it.

Where'd you meet that fellow?

Oh, I met him here.

Oh. Good-looking chap, isn't he?

Is he? Oh, I didn't notice.

Come on, Richard. On
with the greasing.

Oh, thanks, dear.

Here. Just a wee dram
to warm me up a bit?

Oh.

Ingrid. You are working here.

My name is Marlene. I'm German.

But I've met you somewhere
before, I'm sure.

- Oh, it is possible.
- Oh, never mind. We have met now.

And I would like you to
know I adore Germans.

Howdy. May I sit down?

Let me make quite sure my skirt
is out of the way first.

How is the food?

Everything's off but
the chop and chips.

Oh. Well, well, that's
what I'll have then.

Can I order you anything?

Oh, no-no, thank
you. I'm just going.

Not bad, huh?

Oh. Oh, yes. It's a very
beautiful aeroplane.

- No, I meant me.
- Oh.

Oh, is that you? Oh.

Well, I don't normally carry
my photograph around.

It's just that, well, Mr
Gascoyne of the Daily Post,

well, he wanted it, you see.

Oh, please begin.

That's a Wright biplane, isn't it?

- No, that's a Curtis.
- Oh.

Is that the one you
take passengers up in?

It's got an Anzani engine in
it, developing 70 horsepower.

And you brought it all
the way from Arizona?

Well, you must be very rich.

Well, I'm sorry to
disappoint you, ma'am,

but we came all the way
across by cattle boat.

We're in hock way
up to our eyebrows.

Now, if I don't win that race, I'm

going to lose my plane
and everything.

Say, do you know that
you are very beautiful?

Oh, yes, I know I am.

I also have a very good
figure, I'm rich...

and I'm in love with an
extremely handsome man.

Is he in love with you?

- Well, I think so.
- Well, hasn't he told you?

Well, no. No, not exactly.

I mean, yes. Yes, he has.

- Hmm.
- Well, let's talk about you.

All right. What do you
want to know about me?

Would you take me up?

Well, sure. Anytime.

Tomorrow?

All right. First thing
in the morning, huh?

Say,

you have flown
before, haven't you?

Yes. Yes.

Hundreds of times.

Well, I just love it. I...

Oh, I have to go now.
Until tomorrow then.

I'll be looking forward to
seeing you outside my hangar.

Yes. Sorry to keep you waiting.

I've brought the car to the door.

Been sitting with that
American, have you?

Yes. He was telling
me all about Arizona.

Oh, you were quite right, Richard.

He is very good-looking.

Well, I didn't fancy the
way he was looking at you.

Richard, I do believe
you're jealous.

Me, jealous? I've never
been jealous in my life.

If I catch him looking
at you again like that,

I'll give him a good hiding.

Oh, don't be so pompous.

[Man Yelling In German]
[Phonograph: Frère Jacques Plays]

[Man Yelling, Indistinct]

Who's first off this
morning, Courtney?

Mr Dubois, sir.

Oh, he's one of the dangers.

I know, sir. He's got a better
flying machine than you have.

I don't admit that.

But if he has, it'll
have to be nobbled.

You're not going...

You're not going to
sabotage it, governor?

I certainly am not. You are.

Get back. Get back.

[Men Speaking French]

Bonne chance, Pierre.

Okay. Bon voyage, Pierre.

[Man Speaking French]

I think the Frenchy's taking off.

- Shall I call the lads out?
- No.

It's a lovely day. He'll be all
right. He knows what he's doing.

You all right, Chief?

[Shouting Command In German]

Halt.

Today we fly, Herr Rumpelstrosse.

You will taxi across
the field, take off,

fly one circle and return.

Understood, Herr
Colonel. Taxi across

the field, take off,
fly one... Aaah.

Oh. Aaah.

Ach, Schweinehund.

Take up your flying
machine at once...

and show those French idiots
what a German officer can do.

Jawohl, Herr Colonel.
[Shouting Commands In German]

[Shouting Commands In German]

[Speaking German]
[Speaking German]

On the double.

Eins, zwei, drei.

Rumpelstrosse. Come back.

Herr Rumpelstrosse. [In German]
[Yelling In German]

Rumpelstrosse, you fool.
Stop playing the games.

Aaah.

How can I stop this damn thing?

Get out of the way. I can't stop.

Oh, go away. Idiotic instructions.

Stop in the name of the... Oh.

Come back here.

Hey. Just a minute.
Here. Here, what...

Go faster. Put your foot down.

Leave my fire engine alone.

- Hey. No.
- Look out.

Where's that flying machine from?

Somebody do something.

Herr Rumpelstrosse,
no. Not again. Aaah.

Hey, Orvil, where you going?

Orvil, you're supposed
to be practising.

Follow that flying machine.

Herr Colonel, what shall I do now?

- Look in the book, fool.
- I already did so.

- What's he trying to do?
- Stop it, I suppose.

Oh, isn't he brave?

Oh, well done. Whoops.

Oh.

We're heading for the wall.

Come on. We gotta jump off.

Stop. Stop. Stop the plane.

He's stopped him. Hear. Three
cheers for the American.

Hey, Orvil, have you gone crazy?

- What do you think you're doing?
- Somebody had to.

You're supposed to be flying.

Hey, put that man
down. You hear me?

Bravo, Orvil. Well done.

It's another German. Can't stop.

Rumpelstrosse.

Herr Colonel. Come back.

Rumpelstrosse, save me.

Rumpelstrosse.

Rumpelstrosse. Hang on. Hang on.

Hey, Orvil, what you
doing? What's that

contraption you're
sticking on there?

It's a scoop. Produces more
pressure up in the engine.

Yeah, well it might blow up the
engine. Ever think of that?

You ever think that
cigar might too?

Ah.

No, I need the speed. All these
monoplanes around here...

are a lot faster than
this old buzzard.

Since we've been here,
I been looking around,

- getting some new ideas.
- Yeah.

May I come in?

Oh. Well, how do you do?

Boy, you sure are pretty.

I waited as long as I
could this morning.

Oh, I wanted to apologise,

but I just couldn't get away.

Why not?

My father insisted
on coming down...

to watch everyone practise.

What's he got to do with it?

- He's Lord Rawnsley.
- Lord who?

- Oh. Didn't you know?
- No.

But this is his race.

Ha. Well, I guess
he's got every right

in the world to
watch it then, huh?

Oh, I get it.

Well, he won't allow
you to fly, will he?

What'd you ask me to
take you up for then?

You want me kicked
out of the race?

Why didn't you ask
that fellow you're

supposed to be in love
with to take you up?

Oh, I couldn't. He gave my father
his word that he wouldn't.

Richard's a man of principle.

Oh, yeah?

I asked you to take me flying...

because I like you.

Oh?

I like you very much.

And I'm dying to fly.

Well, I have to go now.

Just a second. Look, I'm
going all out to win.

Now, do you think I have a chance?

Well, that's entirely up to you.

Isn't it?

Well, yeah. I guess it is.

I'll see you tomorrow at Dover.

Those are the rules,
gentlemen. Now for the route.

First day, first leg...
London to Dover.

Emergency landing fields
here, here and here.

First aid stations
here, here and here.

Refuelling points here and here.

What is all this fuss about?

Why do we have to go to Dover
by road? Why can't we fly?

Good heavens. You
can't expect these

machines to fly 62 miles non-stop.

You've got to reconnoitre by road.

None of you foreigners know which
railway lines to follow anyway.

On my left, landmark number seven.

The level crossing five
miles west of Tunbridge.

Mark it on your maps, gentlemen,

and follow the railway
line to Dover.

It's a hell of a long
way to the other side.

- Yeah. What do you think?
- I don't know. What do you think?

Can you swim?

Look. You can see France.

Yes, but there's an awful
lot of water in-between.

It is impossible to
cross, Herr Colonel.

Nothing is impossible
for the fatherland.

Aren't you afraid of getting
"drownded," governor?

Sorry to disappoint you, Courtney.

If anybody's going
to get his feet wet,

it isn't going to be me.

I say.

Pardon. Pardon moi, Monsieur.

Est Ce qu'il.

Landing field, Calais, Oh.

What's going...

Oh, I say. Oh, boy.

[Band Playing Strauss'
"Blue Danube Waltz"]

They're all enjoying
themselves, sir.

I should hope so.
It's costing enough.

Hey, waiter.

Thank you.

Mr Newton. Orvil.

- Wanna drink to my health?
- What, the seawater?

No, I mean champagne.

That was a very charming gesture.

It is most strange.

I have been to every seaside
resort all over the continent,

but never have I
seen a German dive.

Perhaps their skulls are too thin.

Come, Rumpelstrosse.
We are going to dive.

Come in, Colonel. The
water is magnificent.

You don't like our
little joke, Colonel?

Schweinehund.

Newton, may I have
a word with you?

Why, sure.

- What's on your mind?
- I think I should mention...

that if you continue
to make advances to

my fiancée, I shall
knock your block off.

Champagne?

Well, she's not.
Officially engaged to you.

It's an understood thing between
Lord Rawnsley and myself.

But Patricia hasn't agreed,

and until she does, well, I'll
make all the advances I want.

You really are being
most tiresome.

What are you doing?

Are you two fighting
over me? Oh, good.

I say. I say. The Japanese
chap has arrived.

It's Yamamoto.

You know he's flown all
the way from Japan?

- Really?
- Yes.

We don't have the facts yet, sir.

Don't argue with me.

We must get to the landing
field and welcome him.

Come along, everyone.

Lieutenant Parsons, Royal Navy.

- How do you do?
- How do you do, sir?

Mr Richard Mays,
Coldstream Guards.

Excuse me.

Yamamoto, excuse me, sir.
First-a class-a flying machine.

Thank you.

- May I?
- Of course.

Now that the Japanese are here,

nobody's going to stand a chance.

He's right. This'll be the
one to beat, governor.

In that case, we'll have to nobble
the man and not the machine.

Perhaps a little cascara
in his chop suey.

Shut up.

Excuse me, sir. May I
have a word with you?

You must've had a
remarkable journey.

Ten thousand miles, wasn't
it? Did you fly it all?

Of course. First I came by
mule train to Yokohama,

then by ship to Vladivostok...

to catch the
Trans-Siberian Express.

Good heavens.

From Moscow, overland to
Paris, then to Dieppe,

where I took the cross-channel
ferry to Folkestone.

Quite a remarkable journey.

But at Folkestone I boarded my
machine and flew all the way here.

Four miles. Amazing.

- Orvil.
- Oh, hello.

I've been looking all over
for you. Well, here I am.

- Listen, I've got an idea.
- Yeah?

While everyone's still here,
you know what we could do?

I know what we could do and
I know what I'd like to do,

but do you think we dare do it?

Motorcycles go very much

If we left now, we could be back
at Brookley before everyone else.

- And then?
- Then...

you could take me up in
your flying machine.

Oh. You're really
determined to get

me into trouble, now, aren't you?

Don't you think I'm worth it?

All right. Come on.

[Chattering In French]

Hello. Mon Capitan.

Oh. Colonel.

The name of your second, please.

My second? Who wishes
to be my second?

Oh, Jean Pascal.

Colonel Baron Manfred
Von Holstein...

demands satisfaction
before the race.

- I suggest at dawn tomorrow.
- Anything you wish.

But you are not serious?
This is 1910, you know?

I'm aware of the date.

Tell the idiot I agree.

He agrees.

The choice of weapons is yours.

Do you wish to use pistols,
sabres or rapiers?

Balloons.

- Balloons?
- And blunderbusses.

You are trying to make
the fools of us again.

On the contrary. There is
an historical precedent.

N'est Ce pas?

A similar duel between a Frenchman
and German took place in,

- 1817.
- Is right.

1817.

The Frenchman won.

In that case, I accept.

Come along, everybody. Let's
get back to the motors.

I expect you'll be flying back.

Come along, Richard.

Where's Patricia? I thought
she was with you, sir.

Well, of course she is...

What the devil is my
daughter doing in that

contraption? Going back
to Brookley, I think.

You don't think she's
persuaded him to take her up?

I absolutely forbid it. Stop him.

Stop him at once.
Absolutely useless.

Faster. Richard. Faster.

I'm doing nearly 40 miles
an hour as it is, sir.

Come down at once. I
absolutely forbid it.

Marvellous.

- It's fun, isn't it?
- Yes.

Oh, look, look. Look,
there's Father.

Let's give him a fright.

Oh, rats. I broke a wing strut.

You take over the stick and
keep it steady, will ya?

Oh, no. I can't.

Okay.

I said keep it steady.

Orvil, help.

Orvil.

I can't keep it straight.

Orvil. Help me.

I can't do it. Hurry.

Did that girl fly the
machine herself?

Yes.

- Are you all right, Patricia?
- Of course I'm all right.

How dare you take my daughter up.

He isn't to blame.

This race was organised
to help flying,

not for brainless boneheaded
nincompoops to give joyrides.

I tell you, Father,
it was my fault.

It didn't occur to
you, I suppose, that

if you'd crashed with
a woman on board,

you would have put
flying back 20 years.

- You might've killed her.
- Now, look,

I knew exactly what I was doing.

And I know what I'm doing.

Oh, Richard.

Patricia, come with me.

Yes, Father.

Niven, I'll have that machine
scratched from the race.

Certainly, sir.

Oh, not now, Not in
front of everyone.

- I am entirely to blame.
- I know that.

This is the last time
you'll go up flying...

and this is the last time
you'll ride a motorcycle.

Yes, Father. And that includes...

the one you have
hidden in the garden.

But... Get into the motor.

Oh.

She's at it again...

disobeying my instructions.

I don't think so.
It's the American.

The American? What's he doing
prowling around in my garden?

- You suppose he has a gun?
- Why should he, sir?

Well, the fellow's from
the Wild West, isn't he?

- It's only a motorbicycle, sir.
- Oh.

He's trying to get back
into the race, just

as I've been telling
you for some time.

Well, he's not going to. He
may have changed your mind.

Nothing is going to make
me change mine. Nothing.

Well, go and tell him so.
Well, don't stand there.

Anyone thinks you're
afraid of the fellow.

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry, Newton. But Lord
Rawnsley's quite adamant.

Not only are you out of the race,

but he expects you to
remove yourself...

and your flying machine from
Brookley as soon as possible.

Are you sure you told him
that I had to see him?

Look, if I don't get back in that
race, I'm gonna lose everything.

Boy, we don't even have enough
money to get back to London,

much less Phoenix, Arizona.

You should have thought
of that before.

Let's face it, old chap.
He only has one daughter.

Yes, but... Aw, shucks.

Well, I wanna thank you
for trying to help me.

- What are you going to do?
- Oh, I don't know.

I guess I'll have to
sell my flying machine.

Oh, I'm sorry.

But at least you're in the
right place to do that.

Well, goodbye, and the
best of luck to you.

- You know your way out.
- Thanks for everything.

Orvil, I'm terribly sorry.

Oh, well. You were worth it.

Winning the race meant
a great deal to you,

didn't it?

If I'd have won it, I'd
have been somebody.

I might've been able
to go up to any girl,

even a rich and a beautiful one,

and say to her what
I wanted to say,

ask her what I wanted to ask.

Only it can't happen now.

Oh, please forgive me.

I've been very, very selfish.

I'll never forget you, Patricia.

- Goodbye.
- Oh, no. No. Wait.

I'm going to talk to Father.

It won't be easy,

but I'm going to get you
back into the race.

Well,

He'll soon change his mind...

when he hears what the American

ambassador's got
to say about this.

Well, does he know the
American ambassador?

No.

Neither do I.

But Father doesn't know that.

[Man Shouting In German]

Achtung.

[Shouting In German]

No one knows better
than you gentlemen

of the international press that...

I guess a lot of
innovations have been

introduced by the
various competitors.

Oh, yes, indeed. I... Well,

take young Parsons of the
Royal Navy, for instance,

the fellow alighting now.

He's got a marvellous
new naval idea for

stopping his flying machine. Look.

What's that?

It's a flying machine, I think.

Yes, it must be a flying
machine. It's got, propellers.

- Any other questions?
- That's one out.

You guarantee this one will
fly better than the last?

There was nothing wrong
with my ornithopter,

just rotten piloting,
if you ask me.

You'll like this one.

Just start the engine, and
you're off, all right?

Contact.

Oh.

Gentlemen, prepare your weapons.

Gentlemen, I count 10...

and then you will fire.

One, two,

three, four,

five, six.

Seven,

- [Speaking French]
- Eight,

nine... nine.

Get back to your position.
Monsieur Dubois.

Schweinehund, you are not
following the rules.

- We always follow the rules.
- No. You didn't.

The French always follow
the rules. Vive la France.

This time I'll count to five.

One, two, three,

four, five.

Fire.

Sabotage. Sabotage.

You idiot. [Cursing In Italian]

Ooh la. Ooh la.

Ooh la. Ooh la. Ooh la la.

Ooh.

Colonel. Rumpelstrosse.

Hello. "With only
16 hours to go...

"before the start of the
greatest race of all time,

"temperatures have reached
boiling point here at Brookley.

"Not surprising perhaps,

"when so many different
nationalities are involved.

"You will be glad to know that the
slight technical difficulty...

"which it was thought would keep
Orvil Newton out of the race...

"has now been ironed out.

"Tonight, along with
the other competitors,

"he is attending a small
eve-of-the-race reception,

"a gathering which one hopes
may foster the spirit...

"of peace and goodwill
amongst the aeronautists."

That's the idea. It
won't take a minute.

If you could just
turn round too, sir.

Could we just get your photograph?
Sir, if you turn this way...

Yes. Hand-to-hand, hands across
the sea. That's the idea.

Now, if you could just
give us a big smile.

That's the idea. Now, hold it.

I always thought that the
English were noted...

for their sense of fair play.

- Oh, we are, indeed. Yes.
- I'm ready, gentlemen.

Well, you punched me
when I wasn't looking.

My dear fellow, if you continue
to pursue a certain party,

I shall take the
greatest pleasure in

punching you when you are looking.

Well, you're gonna
have your hands full,

because I'm gonna marry
that certain party.

I'm afraid that's going
to be rather awkward,

because I'm going
to marry her also.

Gentlemen, could we have
a nice smile, please?

Thank you so much.

Oh. I beg your pardon.

Ooh. Buzz off.

Hello. Care for a glass of wine?

No, thanks, old chap. I only
drink whiskey and water.

Oh. Sir Percy. Very
kind. Is that mine?

Thank you very much.

Serves him right, the
greedy blighter.

Come, Courtney. We've got work to
do. We can't do nothing tonight.

There's guards all over the place.

Besides, everybody's going
to sleep by their planes.

Not everybody.
Yamamoto's still inside,

and. I've given the Frenchman...

the address of a very
lovely young lady.

Oho-ho. I'll bet she's a bit
of all right, governor.

Well, you should know.
She's your daughter.

But, governor, she's an
innocent young girl.

Not is, Courtney, was.

Come on.

Now, drop me at the
American's hangar,

then pop into Yamamoto's and
see what you can do with this.

What are you gonna
do to the Yankee?

It's no business of
yours, Courtney,

but if you really want to know,

I'm going to arrange that one
of his wheels falls off.

That's a bit dirty,
isn't it, governor?

If he can't land on one wheel,
he shouldn't be in the race.

Yeah, but he might kill himself.

There are plenty more Americans
where he comes from.

Now, sir, just one
without your cap.

Certainly not. I'm
a naval officer.

Oh, well. Perhaps a
bit of a smile, sir?

Oh, very well. Just
a bit of a one.

Lieutenant Parsons,
where have you been?

Everybody's been waiting for you.

You've not got your
logbook filled in

or your starter's
forms or anything.

- Meet Nelson, my passenger.
- You can't take that with you.

Why not?

It'll muck up my starter's forms.

And for another, no one has
yet taken an animal aloft.

Nelson doesn't go, neither do I.

Absolutely out of the question.

Go on.

Oh, very well then,
fill these forms.

Well, that's everybody,

all 14 of you.

Oh, no, it isn't. Where are
those blasted Germans?

Over at the hangars,
old man. I don't think

they know anything about
your starter's forms.

Rumpelstrosse, the great
moment has arrived. Come.

Herr Colonel, it is no good.

I'm a sick fellow.

I cannot fly.

You must fly.

For the emperor and
the fatherland.

For the EMP...

Excuse me.

It's going to be a
busy day for our lads.

All spectators away from
the flying machines.

Spectators away from the
flying machines, please.

- Ought to be starting them, sir.
- Nonsense.

I haven't wished the
competitors good luck yet.

What's the Japanese
for "good luck"?

I have it here, sir. One moment.

Here we are.

[Speaking Japanese Poorly]

Thank you, sir.

Good luck.

Get out of it.

Aren't you sitting
the wrong way round?

Of course I'm not.

You take me for an idiot?

This is my latest invention.

It's an idea I had in the bath...

when sitting with my
back to the taps.

You see, the wind
resistance on the tail...

is less than it would
be on the wings.

Heh. I shall most
likely be in Paris...

before any of this lot
have even got to Calais.

It's pathetic, isn't it?

I don't know what
he's talking about.

Neither does he, sir.

Well, let's see, now...

what was the French for
"give us the money"?

Ah, bonne chance, Monsieur Dubois.

Ah, Merci, Monsieur.

Wrong frog, sir.

Bonne chance, Monsieur Dubois.

Ah. Hello, mademoiselle.

Really, Monsieur Dubois.

Forgive me, mademoiselle.
I was carried away.

The spirit of the occasion,
sir. The entente cordiale.

If you ask me, too much
entente and far too cordiale.

The trouble with
these international

affairs is that they
attract foreigners.

Achtung.

[Speaking German] Yes.

But I thought Captain
Rumpelstrosse

was your pilot, Herr Colonel.

I am taking his place.
He is indisposed, sir.

I didn't know you could fly.

Oh, there's nothing a
German officer cannot do.

[Speaking German]

So, "'Number One. Sit
down." Ah, so...

[Speaking Italian]

Surely, you're not taking your
family with you, are you?

You always make-a the joke.

They come to wish
their papa goodbye.

No, no. Sophia, no. No,
no, no, no, no. Sophia.

I see you have another
new flying machine.

Presented to me personally...

by his majesty the King of Italy.

Generale Parlonni. Fsst.
Fsst. [Speaking Italian]

Well, good luck to you
and the King of Italy.

Thank you, milord.
Thank you, milord.

No, no, Sophia.
Sophia, no, no, no.

Can you tell me where
you come from?

Phoenix, Arizona.

Good luck.

If it wasn't for my
daughter's persuasiveness...

and my native sporting instinct,
you'd be out of this race.

Fortunately, I am a
very reasonable man.

Good luck to you.

At least if he breaks his neck,
my daughter won't be with him.

- Good luck, Orvil.
- Oh, thank you, Patricia.

Say, will I get to
see you in Paris?

There's something
I want to talk to

you about something
very important.

Oh, yes, I'll be there.

Mm. We're going over on
Father's private yacht.

Richard.

Oh. Well... Oh.

I'm not going to wish
you luck, my boy.

- I expect you to win without it.
- Well, I'll do my best, sir.

Thank you.

Well, good luck, me dear
fellow. Thank you, sir.

Good luck, Richard.

Well, thanks. And thanks
for all your help too.

Listen, Patricia, as soon as I get
to Paris, I've got to talk to you.

It's very important. You'll
be there, won't you?

Yes, I'll be there. Bye.

Bye-bye.

There they are, Courtney.

I've done everything
you said, sir.

Good.

Right, now get down to
Dover and carry out

the rest of your
master's instructions.

Oh, can't I just wait and
see the nip take off?

All right.

Don't think you're
gonna get treats

like this all the time, Courtney.

I say, the wind's
getting up a bit, sir.

- We're 20 minutes late as it is.
- We've just got to start.

I can't start without
Lord Rawnsley.

Well, can you start it
quickly when he does arrive?

Of course. I've only got
to do this to start it.

Look. They're off.

I didn't tell them
they could start.

A knife.

Get me a knife.

You ain't going to
commit Hari-Kari?

Of course not, you bloody fool.

I've got to cut my
way out, haven't I?

All right, Courtney, shoot
off. You've had your treat.

- Yeah...
- Well, go on.

Away you go.

[Shouting In German]

Mama. Mama, he's up.

Yes, but he's got
to get down again.

[Singing Aria In Italian]

Oh, Dio. Oh, mamma Mia.

[Curses In Italian]

[Muttering In Italian]

This is indeed an unwarranted
intrusion into our privacy.

Be good enough to remove yourself
and your machine immediately.

Sisters, return to your work.

- Un momento.
- What is it?

I cannot leave unless
I have-a some help.

I need-a men to hold down the
tail so I can take off. Fsst.

Men are not permitted here.

No men, no take off.

Mother,

perhaps, the sisters...

- Certainly not.
- A pity.

We are the first
aviators to make-a

the race from London to Paris.

We are not interested
in worldly matters.

I understand, Mother,

but it is a pity...

that the race. It will now
be won by a Protestant.

Protestant?

Sisters, don't stand
around gaping.

This good Catholic needs our help.

Brava. Superiore.

Oh. Ooh.

Don't push.

What's the idea? Damn
silly thing to do.

Nearly frightened the
life out of the memsahib.

I'm terribly sorry, sir,
but I had no alternative.

Fuel pipe blocked.

You haven't got a pipe cleaner I
could run through it, have you?

Why, we haven't got a
pipe cleaner, have we?

Oh, wait a minute. Would that do?

That's just the thing.

Thank you very much, madam.

I'm a competitor in
the Daily Post Air

Race. I suppose
you've read about it.

- No. I only read the Times.
- That's right.

[Singing In Italian]

Hold on, please.

I think I'll get one
of those, Muriel.

I shouldn't, Willy. You're near
enough to your wings as it is.

Come on.

Right over here. Could we
just have a photograph...

Oh, I say. There's the French
chappie. Very good effort.

Well done, sir. We'll
take care of the machine.

Well done.

Hey. Hey, you. No.

Come on. Quick. Over here.

Thank you very much.
[Speaking German]

Thank you very much.

Hey. Hey. Hey. [Speaking French]

Assassin. Assassin.
[Speaking French] [Indistinct]

[Continues Speaking French] Hey.

[Speaking French] Ah.

Whoo.

- Are you all right?
- Yeah, I'm all right.

It's my flying machine
I'm worried about.

Looks like you're out of the race.

I wouldn't say that.

Say, do ya think
they got any spare

wheels on this landing field?

Well, possibly, but it'll take
all night to repair that.

Is there anything wrong
with working all night?

Well, no.

- All right then.
- Good luck.

- Any more to come?
- Let's see now.

Of the 14 starters,
eight have landed,

two crashed on take-off,

three crashed on the
way here, and one...

is on his way to Scotland?

Ah.

Marlene, what are you doing here?

Marlene? No, Françoise.
I am Bulgarian.

But aren't you... I mean, haven't
I met you somewhere before?

- It is possible.
- I see.

Have a drink? D'accord.

Your attention, please.

Your attention, please. I have
a sensational announcement.

Sir Percy Ware-Armitage
has taken off for France.

He is crossing the channel
even now in the dark.

Stop mucking about. Useless lot.

Oh, evening, sir. Great
honour having your

eminence on board our
little brig, sir.

I say, careful of that wing.

Courtney.

I say, I hope it isn't
going to be rough.

Argh. Smooth as a billiard table,
sir. You did bring the money, sir?

Oh, I never discuss
that sort of thing.

You'll have to take
it up with my man.

Courtney, are these
people to be trusted?

Yes, governor, if you give
them 10 guineas each.

Ten guineas? I can get a
chambermaid for a year for that.

Do they guarantee to get me
over to France before dawn?

Yes, governor.

Courtney, there are 10 of them.

Do you realise this is going to
cost your master 100 guineas?

A hundred and ten.

You'll be paying me
the same, I fancy?

Well, you fancy wrong,
Courtney. Impudent oaf.

Any more of this blackmail, I'll

have you thrown out
of your cottage.

- Now buzz off.
- Sorry.

- Go on. Off you go.
- Just a joke.

- I say, Courtney?
- Yes, governor?

You'll be hearing
more of this matter

when I return from
la belle France.

Good heavens. Sir Percy is flying
the channel at this moment.

In the dark? He must
be mad. He won't

be able to see the railway lines.

What railway lines?

I never thought he
had the courage.

If we go on deck, sir, we might be
able to hear him pass overhead.

Or drop into the sea.

Five guineas each, wasn't it?

Ten, or we go straight
back to England.

Outrageous. I shall never
hire your boat again.

Hey. The tide's in.

It'll be out in a couple
hours. Back on board.

You don't think I'm
gonna wait till

daylight to be caught
by the French?

You'll have to get your feet wet.

You dirty rotter.

I had hoped that I should be
dealing with a gentleman.

So had I. All ashore.

Goodbye.

Just look at those
magnificent men...

daring the elements,

challenging the gods, trying...

nay, hoping to fly their machines
across no less than 22 miles.

Yes, that's what I
said 22 miles of sea.

Welcome to Calais, Monsieur.

Give me a hand, will you?
No, no, no. Put me down.

Don't do that. Go away.
What are you doing?

I've gotta get to
Calais to compete in

the race. Put me down,
you ruddy idiots.

Don't be silly. I
haven't got the time.

I've got to get to Calais
to continue the race.

Bon voyage, Monsieur.

Are you all right,
Lieutenant Parsons?

Don't worry. We'll
soon have you out.

Can you swim?

There is nothing a German
officer cannot do.

The race is not over
yet. We've got to

get them refuelled
and off to Paris.

Richard Mays,

Orvil Newton away from
Calais at... 8:50.

La américain. You can vive who you
like, they haven't got a chance.

The fabulous, sir Percy took
off for Paris two hours ago.

He's so far in the lead, nothing
can stop him. Nothing at all. Ha.

Vive, sir Percy.

What am I saying? He's
a most ghastly person.

Buzz off.

Go on. Bug off.

Blast it.

Driver.

Driver. Stop the train.

Arretez le train.

Blast.

Look. Go.

Hey, you. Where can I get some...

Françoise, what are
you doing here?

Pardon, Monsieur?

- You are not Françoise?
- No, Yvette. Why?

Hey.

Where can I get some gasoline?

At Amiens. It is five
kilometres from here.

Huh.

Be a good fellow and bring
me as much as possible.

The honour of France is at stake.

- But, Yvette.
- You must go. Go, go, go.

All right. All right, but I
will be a good 30 minutes.

We have 30 minutes.

Excuse me. Can you see anyone yet?

Yes. Ponticelli is first
round the Eiffel Tower.

There are two more on his tail.

This is going to be a close
finish, very close indeed.

Count Ponticelli's still
ahead, followed by...

Orvil Newton, Richard Mays.

Jump.

And here they come now.
Here's the winner.

It's Richard Mays.
Richard Mays of England.

You get ready to jump now.

Ponticelli. Ponticelli.
You all right?

- Are you all right?
- I'm all right.

Emilio. Emilio.

Emilio.

Patricia?

Oh, Richard. Oh, Richard. You won.

Oh, Richard. You won. You
won. You won. I'm so pleased.

- What happened to Ponticelli?
- Well, his machine caught fire.

Orvil was marvellous. He had
to stop to pick him up.

He could have won though.

Hey, Richard. Richard.

Richard, congratulations.

Well done, Richard.
Congratulations.

Well, you deserve
it more than I do.

It was a wonderful thing you did.

You'd have done the same thing
if you'd have seen him.

Well, you did it.

Let's call it a tie.
We'll share the prize.

The city of Paris salutes
the gallant victor.

Pierre Dubois is coming.

Pierre.

You remember me, don't you?

Yes, of course. You
are... You are... Betty.

Betty. Of course. Oh. How
could I ever forget?

Every time I look at
you, my heart sings.

Oh.

Will you pardon me?

I better have a look
at my undercarriage.

It's been taking an awful beating.

I think we ought to go and
find somewhere to put...

We must have your photograph
by your machine, Monsieur.

Over here. This way.

And now you stop flying, huh?

- Do I have to?
- You have to.

Not for me, but for bambinos.

By now they're used to it.

- Another one?
- Huh.

In that-a case, I give up.

- Emilio.
- Sophia.

Turn around.

- Whoops.
- Oh.

So ended the 1910 air race.

The winner's time: 25
hours, 11 minutes.

Today the same distance
can be covered

by supersonic jets
in seven minutes,

but it can take longer.

May I have your attention, please?

We regret to announce
that the departure

of all planes from
London to Paris...

have been delayed again,
owing to bad weather.

Buses are waiting outside to
take you back to your hotels.

Will you all come
this way, please?

Will you all follow me?

♪ Those magnificent men ♪

♪ In their flying machines ♪

♪ They go up tiddly up up ♪

♪ They go down tiddly down down ♪

♪ They enchant all the ladies
and steal all the scenes ♪

♪ With their up tiddly up up ♪

♪ And their down
tiddly down down ♪

♪ Up, down ♪

♪ Flying around ♪

♪ Looping the loop and
defying the ground ♪

♪ They're all frightfully keen ♪

♪ Those magnificent men in
their flying machines ♪

♪ They can fly upside with
their feet in the air ♪

♪ They don't think of danger ♪

♪ They really don't care ♪

♪ Newton would think he
had made a mistake ♪

♪ To see those young men and
the chances they take ♪

♪ Those magnificent men in
their flying machines ♪

♪ They go up tiddly up up ♪

♪ They go down tiddly down down ♪

♪ They enchant all the ladies
and steal all the scenes ♪

♪ With their up tiddly up up ♪

♪ And their down
tiddly down down ♪

♪ Up, down ♪

♪ Flying around ♪

♪ Looping the loop and
defying the ground ♪

♪ They're all ♪

♪ Frightfully keen ♪

♪ Those magnificent men in
their flying machines ♪

♪ Those magnificent men ♪

♪ In their flying machines ♪

♪ They go up tiddly up up ♪

♪ They go down tiddly down down ♪

♪ Those magnificent men ♪

♪ In their flying machines ♪