The Aeronauts (2019) - full transcript

How bad is the tear?!

We need to lose more weight!

Stop the carriage!

Amelia?

Are you quite well?

You don't need

to fly today.

You can return

to Richmond with me.

Antonia,

I just need a moment.

After all you've been through,

no one will think worse of you.

I would.

I would think worse of me.

I have an agreement

with Mr. Glaisher.

You barely know the man,

and the little you do,

you're irritated by.

Antonia, please, I...

just need a moment.

One last piece

of sisterly advice.

Doubt is there

to be listened to.

Come and get your tickets!

Amelia Wren!

How high will she go?!

And afterwards, I've got

to take you straight to...

Amelia Wren!

Well, I read all about it...

Hey, you! Get out of the road!

Come on. Move along.

She's late.

She is, but that's

the least of your concerns.

We'll lose the light, John.

James, do the clouds

not look ominous to you?

I repeatedly explained

to Miss Wren

the importance

of catching the right light

and the right wind

at the right time,

- and she's just openly ignored me.

- James, look up.

It's not a concern, John.

The readings I took

this morning were quite clear.

Far be it from me

to doubt you, James,

but your weather predictions

have been wrong in the past,

and it's just possible

that you've missed...

Don't even think of it.

Ah.

Ned Chambers,

John Trew,

my very good friend.

John, this is Ned,

one of the hardy entrepreneurs

who's invested

in our expedition.

Do not even think of telling me

flight is not possible.

Mr. Chambers, we are scientists

of the air, and we can tell you

the one thing no one

can control is, well, the air.

I have paid for gas.

I have paid for silk.

And is this balloon

not the strongest

and largest that's ever been?

Even so,

it can't fight the weather.

You don't want to be

responsible for a tragedy, sir.

I don't wish to be responsible

for refunding the 10,000

that came here because

you promised them history.

We'll fly, Ned. We'll fly.

I only need the sky

to hold for 90 minutes,

and once we're above

the cloud line, we'll be fine.

Good. That's fixed, then.

Now, did you not promise me

a 5:00 ascent?

I'm set.

I'm merely waiting

for our pilot.

And it's not the first time

Miss Wren has kept me waiting.

What a truly pleasant man.

One must make compromises

in order to achieve greatness,

my friend.

And he...

is merely one compromise.

Hello, everybody, and welcome!

Welcome back, Amelia!

Are you ready?

Amelia!

You're incredibly late.

Lesson number one

of aeronauting:

We are creatures of the skies

and have no respect

for landlocked clocks.

Mr. Glaisher, are you

really not a gentleman at all?

Hold out your hand to me.

- Go on, Glaisher!

- Go on! - Take her hand!

Look like you've never

seen a woman before!

- Don't keep a lady waiting!

- Come on, Mr. Glaisher!

Take her hand!

Take her hand, Mr. Glaisher!

You're naughty!

Are you ready?

Mr. Glaisher, you have no

conception of how ready I am.

Posey!

Good dog.

She's got a dog!

Posey.

No, no, no.

No, absolutely not.

Under no circumstances

are we taking a dog.

I told you we'd have to play

to the crowd,

and they prefer my dog

to your boxes.

Those are essential

meteorological instruments.

And this is an essential dog.

She's called Posey.

The essential...

Posey!

Go on. In you go.

Excuse me.

Ladies and gentlemen,

today, myself... Amelia Wren...

my naughty scientist,

Mr. Glaisher...

and my wonder dog Posey

are going to change the world.

Are you ready for us to do so?

This balloon on which I stand...

the Mammoth...

is a balloon like no other,

and will allow us to ascend

higher into the air

than any man or woman

has ever gone.

The French rose to 23,000 feet.

Today, we will

break that record

and reclaim it

for these fair shores!

Who knows?

We may reach the Moon

and bring back...

stardust!

Today is a day

when history will be made,

and you will all be

a part of it.

Mr. Glaisher,

now is your moment.

Up you get.

Fireworks?

Are you ready?

Yes. I just need to retake

my ground readings

and then do one final check

of the equipment.

Well, my equipment

was all prepared in advance.

Now, don't touch this rope,

Mr. Glaisher,

'cause it will let out the gas.

I do know how a balloon works.

Uh, what are you doing?

We fly.

- The sky awaits.

- Wait, no.

These ground readings

are essential.

If they're not accurate...

Godspeed, old man.

Goodbye!

- What are you doing?

- Giving the people their money's worth.

W-Will that not damage

the integrity of the balloon?

Perhaps.

Goodbye!

For God's sake.

Goodbye!

This is absurd.

It's what they call

entertainment, Mr. Glaisher.

Well, I'm not finding it

particularly entertaining.

It requires a...

a sense of humor,

which you seem to lack.

This is ridiculous.

Don't be so sour.

Give me the dog.

What do you mean,

give you the dog?

- Pass me Posey, Mr. Glaisher.

- I'm not giving you the dog.

Mr. Glaisher, the dog. Now.

Goodbye!

Quick.

- Come on!

- What, you just want me to...

- what, just pass her to you?

- Pass her up.

- Yes, pass her up.

- All right.

- Come on, Posey. Come on.

- All right.

No, don't!

Did you see that?

Well done, Posey.

Come on, Posey.

Come on, girl.

There he is. Ah!

Mr. Glaisher, you are airborne

for the first time

in your life.

I suggest you spend less time

frowning at me and...

more taking in this beautiful

world we've just left.

Quite something, isn't she?

London.

It all looks so...

Insignificant?

Do you take anything seriously,

Miss Wren?

Some things.

That crowd gathered to witness

us break the height record.

They didn't need to see

a flying dog.

Mm. Still stuck there, are you?

I've spent much of my life

being laughed at

for what I do, Miss Wren.

I'd rather hope that today

might prove an exception.

Tell me, what determines

your reputation?

My reputation?

Yes, your standing

in the scientific community.

The papers I've written,

the discoveries I've uncovered.

Your reputation

is built on paper,

and my reputation

is built on screams.

And those people below,

they came to be entertained.

And they, if you didn't know,

are the ones paying

for this trip.

You off to the opera?

I've been looking

at the same thing.

Don't tell me that cloud

isn't a cause for concern.

I'm the scientist;

you're the pilot.

Let's stick to our roles,

shall we?

James!

- James!

- Come on, John.

- I'll not miss the takeoff.

- It's in the air.

We could have stayed

on the ground and looked up.

We must see it from

the best vantage point, Johnny.

For God's sake.

Sky's clear,

so I predict a clean takeoff,

which means that in precisely

24 seconds we should see it.

You are aware

he might not make it

off the ground?

Charles Green

will make it off the ground.

Maybe not quite so close

to the edge of the building.

Listen, John,

will you stop scowling at me?

- Sc...

- Do I count the hours that I spend

helping you

pin butterflies to a board?

Pinning butterflies

is not a dangerous pursuit.

Five, four,

three, two,

one.

Could be anything.

The gas valve ruptured.

The silk tore.

He's rethought

the balloon shape.

It's wider at the top,

like a parachute.

That's very clever.

May I look?

Yes, you may. Here.

John.

If you've had time enough...

You'll get your chance,

you know.

They'll realize your worth.

I think they know my worth

quite well enough.

Gentlemen! Gentlemen!

We-we know more now

about this world around us

than at any moment

in our history.

And yet, still, still,

we are limited

by our ignorance

as to what is truly above us.

Now, with the progress that

we have made in balloon ascent

here at the Society,

pioneered by Charles Green,

we could advance meteorology

by decades.

Analysis of

the Earth's magnetic field,

the solar spectrum,

knowledge of the dew point,

understanding of oxygenation

of the atmosphere,

- atmospheric...

- He wants my balloon!

No, sir.

No, sir, I ask for funding

for my own expedition

into the skies.

By gathering enough data,

I believe that we will be able

to uncover patterns

- and correlations that...

- Sir,

we are scientists,

not fortune tellers.

You're talking about

weather prediction.

But is that not our

responsibility as scientists,

to find order in chaos,

gentlemen?

Please, if we could understand

the sky above us...

You are no closer to predicting

the movements of the weather

than the movements of a frog in a jar.

If we could understand the skies

above us, gentlemen...

Gentlemen, we...

- You're delusional, my friend.

- With your financial support,

we are on the precipice

of extraordinary change.

The possibility of advanced

weather prediction could...

it could save lives.

Gentlemen. Gent...

Gentlemen, please!

We have to sit through this?

Please!

"James Glaisher spoke again

"this week at the Royal Society

of his plans to make a science

of the weather."

In-in The Times.

You read it?

Yes, I've read it, Pa.

"To the accompaniment

of much laughter."

- Oh, Arthur, please stop.

- They're wrong, by the way.

Well, many more thought

you were.

Well, many didn't believe

in Newton.

Newton? Oh, James.

Newton changed the way

we see the Earth

and the planets and the stars.

You think you can predict...

when it might rain.

Th-These things that people

are saying about you, James,

don't-don't... don't they hurt?

I wish it didn't hurt you.

Time:

nine minutes and 23 seconds.

Altitude is 5,400 feet.

And air temperature is

64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Delightful. Could you...?

- What?

- Just-just at the top.

Yeah.

You should put on

your oilskins, Mr. Glaisher.

All right.

Out you come.

What are you attaching

to those pigeons?

Our readings.

Oh. I see.

Reassuring to know

you've contemplated our deaths.

I've just insured against them,

should we not make it back.

Cloud ahoy.

"What more felicitie

can fall to creature

"Than to enjoy delight...

- with libertie..."

- "With libertie,

And to be lord

of all the workes of Nature."

"To raine

in th' aire from earth..."

"...to the highest skie,

To feed on flowres and weeds

of glorious feature."

"To take what ever thing

doth please the eie?"

Spenser.

"The Fate of the Butterflie."

It's one of my favorite poems.

Surprising.

I didn't have you down

as a literary man.

Men of science, uh,

can enjoy words, Miss Wren.

My husband loved that poem.

I would have liked

to have met your husband.

I'm not sure

he'd have liked you.

Really?

He disliked people who studied

rather than practiced.

Are we still sure

this weather will hold?

Because my instinct

is telling me...

Instinct has no place

in weather prediction.

You're lying to me.

Every reading that I took

this morning

was quite clear, Miss Wren.

There are no advantages

in concealing concerns.

We are trapped here

no matter what you say.

This pressure is changing

faster than I'd anticipated.

We're about to get wet.

And so it begins.

I'm not sure your instruments

are much use to us now.

We need to batten down,

so please put on

your wet weather clothing.

There are no prizes

for obstinacy.

James.

If you won't listen to me,

listen to that.

But not one of my readings

suggested a storm.

Well, that's what it is,

and we're inside a cumulo,

which is precisely

where we shouldn't be.

Don't worry.

She's not made

of conductive material,

so we won't attract lightning.

And if we are struck,

the gas will explode,

so we won't live long enough

for me to point out...

Hold on!

Get that equipment

put away now!

These instruments

will give us...

Stay still and keep calm.

I need to get us out of this.

No! No!

We cannot descend!

This might be our one

and only opportunity.

- Of course we don't descend.

- We don't?

There are two ways

to break a storm.

One is to travel beneath it,

the other above it.

The safest way is up.

The safest way is up?

Who did you think

you got in a balloon with?

Amelia!

Amelia! Amelia!

Give me your hand!

Hold on!

Hold on!

Take my hand! Take my hand!

One!

Two!

Three!

- You all right?

- Yes.

Hold on!

It's not over yet.

A lucky escape.

Or a brilliant one.

May I look through

your spyglass, sir?

There's nothing to see.

I lost them

when the storm passed over.

I would like a look

all the same, sir.

I won't steal it.

I didn't presume you would.

You have an interest

in the air?

Don't you wish

to be up there with them?

No, I'd be

an unnecessary weight.

All the same.

Some reach for the stars.

Some push others towards them.

I wish I was up there.

You're not afraid

of the clouds?

Clouds are just water.

Oh.

And what of the birds

that may attack you?

May I look through

your spyglass?

I can see them, sir.

Not possible.

I-I can see them, sir. I can.

That's my entire body weight.

You all right?

There we go.

Now, that should hold.

I hope.

Looks pretty precarious to me.

She's stronger

than she looks.

Right.

James.

James, you'll miss it.

That's an aureole.

Have you seen

one of those before?

You haven't?

I have in books.

I believe you should be

checking your instruments.

You can't have taken a good

reading in quite some time.

You so enjoy being amused

by me, don't you?

I'm amused by your enjoyment

of something that has

nothing to do with numbers.

Have you noticed

it's completely silent?

Hello...!

Cloud ahoy...!

Can you hear that?

It's a bell.

That's bells.

Where is that coming from?

That's horses.

So the humid conditions

must be conducting the sound.

- We have...

- That's the sound of the street.

...flown through a storm,

and still London follows us.

This high barometer reading's

phenomenal.

Amelia. Regarde-moi.

Amelia. Amelia!

Amelia, regarde-moi!

Amelia!

Amelia, this...

Amelia, what's the matter?

Are you all right?

It'll soon pass.

I didn't lock it.

No, you did not.

You're not dressed.

Yet I'm wearing clothes.

And when was the last time

you changed them?

So you break down my door

to tell me to wash?

When was the last time

you opened any curtains?

Sunlight ages.

I want my furnishings

to retain their glow.

Which ones are glowing?

The ones, uh,

with your food upon them

or the ones that are covered

in your-your dirty clothing?

I do not need to see it

to know it's there.

Well, as much as you might

enjoy your self-pity,

I'm not here

to freshen anything.

Phillip has invited us

- to a small gathering.

- Oh, no, no, no, no. No.

Amelia.

I do so hate

how you say my name.

It's like a priest imploring

me to confess my sins.

It's been two years.

Do you really think Pierre

would have wanted this?

That is beneath even you.

I'll help you change.

Come.

Sisters together.

And then I'll let you rot.

Mm-hmm.

So much easier to claim so

with handsome men on one's arm.

Yes, uh, certainly. Yes.

Oh, please.

Mother always taught me,

why have one man

when you can have two?

- Please.

- Oh. Be a pleasure to.

- Will you excuse me?

- Bonny.

Come on, then.

Your sister's proud as punch

she's pulled you here.

Hello, Auntie.

She keeps trying to persuade

men to take you onto the floor.

And they refuse her?

I think

they're intimidated by you.

How exciting.

Still, hard to be

the woman that provokes fear.

Are you the Widow Wren?

I dislike that title.

But you are Miss Wren?

Amelia Wren.

And who might you be?

Glaisher. James Glaisher.

It was a pleasure

to meet you, Mr. Glaisher.

Wh-What brings you here?

- Here?

- Yeah.

The, uh... the selfish needs

of a sister.

You?

The mercenary needs

of a friend.

Uh, he needed accompanying

in his romance.

She's apparently worth

thousands of pounds a year,

so I'm trapped here,

just as you are.

Well, we needn't

trap each other.

Miss Wren, sorry,

I'm a, I'm a sc-scientist,

an astronomer

and a meteorologist, and I...

A scientist, an astronomer

and a what?

I believe that the weather

can be predicted.

Miss Wren, I need to make

studies of the air,

and I need to be in the air.

And I need you to help me.

Do you even have a balloon?

Not yet, no.

- I don't.

- So you make an invitation to me,

when it is I

who should be inviting you?

No, I need us...

I need you to fly us higher

than any man or any woman

has ever been. What?

Dance with me.

Dance with you?

Dance with me,

and we may converse more.

Amelia. Um... Oh.

I presume there's a game

you're playing here

with others in the room.

You think I'm trying

to make another jealous?

You're not that handsome.

Every man in this room

is petrified

to be seen talking to you,

let alone dancing with you.

No, I imagine

your game is with another.

- You're clever.

- I'm observant.

Or presumptuous.

And there are certain things,

if I may,

that I feel safe

in presuming about you.

Perhaps that you don't have

an invitation

for tonight's events.

Would that be

a fair presumption?

On what basis

do you make that assumption?

Your suit is

two years out of fashion,

your shoes abominable,

your dancing ridiculous...

I'm leading, you are not...

and because this gentleman

clearly doesn't know you

at all.

Oh.

Thank you for the dance.

I didn't realize

that appearances

were so important to you,

and I'm sorry

that I don't live up

to this society standard.

I don't care

what shoes you wear.

I care that you're lying to me.

It'll be your balloon.

All I ask is

to be given the freedom

to undertake my experiments.

I'm not a coachman for hire.

Good, because I'm looking

for a fellow scientist.

To understand the weather,

Miss Wren, is to understand

how to make ships

and sailors safer,

farms more productive,

so we can prepare ourselves

and our world for floods,

for droughts, famines.

We could save

thousands of lives.

I want to rewrite the rules

of the air, Miss Wren.

And I need your help.

So, will you...

...help me?

Yeah, this seems much more...

You're punishing me!

I'm not sure a factory

full of flammable gases

is the safest place

for children.

You're punishing me

for dragging you

to that ridiculous evening.

No, I am grateful to you

for dragging me

to that ridiculous evening.

I'd not made the acquaintance

of Mr. Glaisher otherwise.

Now, girls,

I believe we have

some macaroons somewhere.

If that is not proof

of you punishing me,

- then I do not know what is.

- Not here.

I hated you going up

in the air with Pierre,

but why you'd want to go up

on your own, I can't even...

With Mr. Glaisher.

You're my only sister.

I do not wish to lose you

to any more... foolishness.

You'd rather I found a man

prepared to marry me

to devote myself to.

I'd rather you found a way

to make yourself happy.

You can't just fly away

from your problems.

You have to face them here,

on earth, with the rest of us.

Look, Antonia,

I am a really good aeronaut,

and I want to use

what I'm good at.

Yeah, but you are

a highly accomplished woman.

You could be good

at so many things.

You could have the most

beautiful life in society,

if only you'd try.

And if that isn't what I want?

Then you have to learn

to want it.

Up there,

it's where I have found

the greatest happiness.

He was the happiness,

not the damn balloon.

Come on, girls. We're going

to be late for lunch.

So, have you been

this high before?

Only once.

With Pierre?

We have time enough.

Why don't you tell me

about him?

Ashamed as I am to not stick

to your

conversational schedule,

I have nothing to tell.

- Does your head not hurt?

- No.

I can't feel it. Sorry, I'm...

I didn't mean to...

What happened to you,

I didn't mean

to make light of it.

It will heal.

You won't have a scar.

At this height?

Look.

Look.

He was right.

The fool was right.

Of all the amazing things.

My friend John... John Trew...

he made a study of them.

So, he theorized,

beyond the birds,

an air current

on which only insects travel,

and I never believed him.

And I certainly never thought

that we would prove him right.

Careful.

Oh.

There she goes.

Where are they heading,

do you think?

Perhaps they trust

the wind to decide.

He'd have liked these.

Pierre.

My husband was...

the bravest man I knew.

He saw possibilities

others could not, but...

...his most enduring quality

was a deep...

and true love

for the beauty of the world.

Thank you.

Others would have

pushed me further.

Thank you... for not.

I cannot quantify

what you've lost.

No.

You can't.

Return to your instruments,

Mr. Glaisher.

I said return

to your instruments.

I shall.

Is she lost?

Wren, isn't it?

Amelia Wren?

I'm looking for James Glaisher.

You're very welcome

to wait outside

while we fetch him to you.

You see, we have a policy

toward the fairer sex...

Then I'll find him myself.

Lovely to see you again,

Charles.

Time, Johnny?

17 seconds.

Come on, James.

Imagine you're hurtling

towards the ground.

Hurry, man. Your equipment's

gonna be destroyed.

Yep.

26 seconds. Well done.

And you said

I couldn't break 30.

- My senses deserted me.

- Miss Wren.

- This is an honor.

- I do not wish to abandon you...

- May I give you a tour?

- ...but I'm afraid I must.

Abandon me?

The build is already under way.

The largest balloon

ever on order.

I don't want to climb inside

the balloon, Mr. Glaisher.

I don't want to climb

into a balloon ever again.

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

No, no, no,

that is not acceptable.

A vast amount of money

has already been spent.

I'm sorry, sir.

I have made my decision.

Evening, Ma.

The wanderer returns.

- You were due last week.

- Yes, I know I was.

Sorry. I've been, uh...

I've been having some...

Yes, we've been reading all

about you in the newspapers.

Of all the people, James.

Women don't belong

in balloons, on show.

And she makes

such a show of herself.

Your reputation risks ruin.

Well, you'll be pleased

to hear, Ma,

that the expedition's off.

It was Miss Wren who wouldn't

risk flight with me.

Is he upstairs?

James, his mind's been

playing tricks on him again.

It's got worse?

It comes and goes.

Tread carefully with him.

Hard at it?

- Ethel! Ethel!

- Oh, Pa, Pa, it's me.

- It's James.

- Ethel!

Listen, Ma knows I'm here.

It's James.

I'm your son.

You're...

M-My son's only ten years old.

I got older.

Now, what have you been... what

have you been looking at here?

Oh, get away from that.

Pallas?

You've been looking at Pallas?

Course I'm looking at Pallas.

Good spotting.

- Here.

- Do not pretend

that you can see anything

through those.

These are the glasses I taught

you to stargaze through.

They're quite sufficient

for some work.

Your trip.

You're going on a trip.

In a balloon.

Yes, I'm trying to, Pa.

Yeah.

To see the stars.

I hope so.

I used to dream

of taking my bedsheet,

catching a gust of wind

and dancing in a parachute

among the stars.

I know you did. You told me.

Mm. Nothing...

nothing m-more mysterious,

nor more beautiful,

than the stars in the sky.

Mm.

Wh-What are you doing in here?

Y-You know the rules.

Not in my room.

- I-I...

- And keep away from that spyglass.

It's very valuable, James.

I know it is, Pa.

I bought it for you.

- He's tired.

- Oh.

Probably best

not to overdo it.

Thank you, Ethel.

Get this lad out of here.

Yes, dear.

Leave it while you're

still on the up.

Good night. I will, um...

I'll see you next week.

James.

For your trip.

Thank you.

Prove them wrong, James.

Next week.

Mm.

Mr. Green?

Mr. Green, sir? Sir.

If it isn't Mr. Glaisher,

the weather sleuth.

I believe he prefers

to be described

as a meteorologist, Charles.

Of course he does.

Well, best of luck with it.

As I'm sure you're aware, sir,

I've not been able

to attract the funds,

either from the Royal Society

or elsewhere,

that I need to fly.

It is an expensive

preoccupation.

I've heard that you're looking

- to make another balloon ascent.

- I am.

Well, I would like the

opportunity to be your second.

I will prove

a willing accomplice, sir.

I have also strong ideas

as to how to increase

the hydrogen levels

in the coal gas

that I believe might be

your unlocking,

and you might finally be able

to break that height record.

Have you even been

in a balloon?

I've studied them extensively.

Do you have any experience

of frostbite, low air pressure,

the mind-altering effects of

a lack of oxygen to the brain?

How else does one learn

but by partaking?

Exactly what I need

in a second: a theorist

with no ideas about

the true dangers of the air.

Find another madman

to get in a balloon with.

Uh, perhaps the French.

Or, better yet, that woman.

Good day.

22,200.

Do you have faith

in these thermometers?

22,400.

If so, we're at 21 degrees,

and that is cold.

22,500. Well, you can note

that temperature down.

Hmm. You trust me

to write in your book?

I am honored.

Have we slowed?

Are we not at 22,600?

Oh, so you are interested.

And now we've passed 22,600.

- You're insufferable.

- You are excited.

And that is 22,700.

- History will be rewritten.

- 22,900.

23,000.

We are now higher

than any man or any woman

has ever been.

Thank you for taking me up

in your balloon, Mr. Glaisher.

Thank you for taking me up

in your balloon, Miss Wren.

It doesn't feel different

at all, does it?

On the contrary.

This is the moment that

I've been waiting for

my entire life.

I rather suspect

I've been waiting for it, too.

Right. Now...

You still think

we might not make it back?

I'm just sending a message

to Charles Green.

23,900 feet.

We're rising

even more quickly now.

Did you know? Could you tell?

It's because the air's thinner.

She's expanding.

We should think of slowing.

So, the air is

aiding our ascent.

Isn't that outstanding?

Surely, now is the time

to put your oilskins on.

Didn't bring any oilskins.

They proved extremely heavy.

I told you

that you needed oilskins.

Well, the equipment

was essential.

The weight limit was essential.

If I'm to get a little sick

returning...

A little sick?

You-you carry four thermometers,

you carry this strange box,

but you-you couldn't bring

suitable clothing

- for the cold and the wet?

- Keep moving.

Don't stop. The cold will only

catch you if you let it.

We need to go down now.

Wait. No, no, we're not

descending. Not yet.

The best way to break a storm

is to travel up.

I quote you, dear lady.

Well, maybe the best way

to break a cold is also

to travel up.

And which science

are you basing that upon?

The science that says,

with every layer of air,

we are traveling

into an unknown.

So, with every layer of air,

we are traveling

- closer to the sun.

- I believe we have already accomplished...

So these findings

that I am still to discover,

- they could be overwhelming.

- You are freezing.

- Please. What have we to lose?

- Our lives.

This could be more important

than our lives!

Please. I know that you

want this as much as I do.

I'm descending.

Stop.

No.

So, this balloon has defied

every single thing

that we have thrown at it.

This is not about the balloon.

This is not about science.

This is about your war with

those who lord it over you.

And I have fought them, too.

- This is, this is not...

- I...

This is, this is about that.

Look at it.

There's nothing more beautiful,

nor more mysterious,

than the stars in the sky.

And look at us.

We are dancing amongst them.

You wanted that writing

on the balloon, Amelia.

"Caelum certe...

- patet, ibimus illi."

- "Patet, ibimus illi."

"Surely, the sky lies open.

Let us go that way."

The sky is open.

It is open.

Now, you understand

there will come a time

when we go no further?

Yes, I do.

Do you understand

that decision

will only be mine?

Yes, I do.

Thank you.

Tell me when we land

if I deserve your thanks.

You deserve my thanks.

Good evening, Miss Wren.

I've made my decision,

Mr. Trew.

And I understand that. I just

wanted to gift you this book.

These are beautiful.

They're pictures

of snowflake formations.

A study of the mathematical

possibilities of nature,

a study undertaken by James...

James Glaisher.

He believes

the sky can be understood.

Of this I am well aware.

He is, sadly,

occasionally wrong.

He predicted it would snow

tonight, would you believe.

But more often than not,

he finds remarkable truths.

Travel with him,

and you will discover this.

- I have.

- I'm sorry.

I... I-I clearly told him no.

He should not have sent you

to convince me.

He didn't send me.

He'd consider me

a poor persuader.

- I'm here on my own account.

- You will not dissuade me

- from my path, Mr. Trew.

- James believes

there's something

extraordinary up there.

And so this is an opportunity

I should not miss?

You misunderstand me.

It's not an opportunity

but an obligation.

In this life, few are given

the chance to change the world.

You've been assigned

a responsibility, Miss Wren.

You have to meet it.

Enjoy the book, madam.

- Height?

- Height, height.

- Mm.

- 26,500 feet.

26... And temperature?

And temperature...

- five degrees Fahrenheit.

- Five.

It's the strangest thing.

So, the higher that we fly,

the lower the humidity.

There's barely any

water vapor here at all.

There is still ice.

These temperatures,

they're unprecedented.

These are freezing ranges that

no one would have predicted.

Yeah.

And what was that temperature?

Um, five degrees.

Five...

Oh, come on.

Right.

Out you come.

No concern necessary.

We have another.

We don't have another.

What are you doing?

- Losing weight.

- L-Losing weight?

A mere consequence of

the decrease in air pressure.

This-this balloon

isn't safe, James.

And much more severe

than I'd anticipated.

James, the-the pressure

on the material could lead

- to rips, and at...

- The coal gas has expanded, and...

...this altitude, these-these

rips could definitely be fatal.

What are you doing?!

We can't lose more weight!

No!

Give me the sandbag!

It is time we descend.

I will not stop

because you can't withstand

a little pressure.

Don't you see what's happening?

James, the lack of oxygen

is affecting your brain.

We're going to die

unless we descend now.

Your husband risked your life

for his own recklessness.

I do the same, but for science.

You know nothing of my husband's death.

It is well known that he pushed

harder than he should have.

Now imagine that story again,

and imagine this time

that I am the pilot...

...that h-he told me to stop,

that I-I was risking

the balloon.

How bad is the tear?!

The seams ripped apart.

I... I fought...

too hard for my place

at the table.

We're falling too fast.

We're going to die here!

We need to lose more weight!

Come on. There must be

something. Think. Think.

- Yes. Yes.

- Think.

Thank you for giving me

somewhere I belonged.

Keep looking up.

No! Pierre! No!

Amelia.

I'm so sorry.

Do not...

be responsible...

for the death of another.

It's one mistake

you'll never

forgive yourself for.

I'm so sorry.

Really, I am.

Now...

...let's get this balloon down.

Yes.

I think...

I-I think we've...

discovered that oxygen is...

Open, damn it.

Open.

Come on!

Come on!

Come on!

James. James.

- You have to keep moving.

- Yes.

You... If you lay still,

then-then the hypoxia

will set in.

The gas release valve

is frozen.

I... I need to climb up

and open it.

Stay alive.

Stay alive.

Stay alive.

Amelia. Amelia.

Regarde-moi.

Thank you...

...for giving me

somewhere I belonged.

- Should we have heard anything by now?

- No.

We'll only hear

if there's a disaster.

The less we hear, the...

better her chances.

- Then we pray for silence?

- Yes.

Pray for silence.

Still no sign of them.

Oh, God.

James!

Come on.

Oh, God.

Come on. James!

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

James.

James. James.

James.

James.

James, we've survived.

We're going down.

James.

James, James.

James.

James?

We're going down.

I can't have this happen again.

James.

Your strange two-tube device

is doing something

very peculiar, you know.

You're meaning my hygrometer.

It's bubbling.

Could that not be significant?

It could.

We're descending.

We are.

I've been... insensible.

You have.

And I think I lost my head.

It does seem that way.

Well, come on, then.

Time: one hour,

11 minutes and 19 seconds.

Height?

28,600 feet.

And temperature?

Unknown.

That equipment's

been lost to us.

And my hygrometer's had better days.

This is of

no great use, either.

Our readings on the descent

shall be less significant.

Oh, your hands.

So, you didn't have room for

oils, but you did for brandy?

Well, a scientist is nothing

without his equipment.

Hold out your hands.

What are you gonna do?

This is gonna hurt a bit.

I'm sorry,

but you need to hold them out.

I know.

That hurt.

- Is that, uh, any better?

- No.

Worse.

I don't know

what you did for me up there,

but I have no doubt

that it was a great act.

- Your poor hands.

- Look.

And now snow.

Oh.

As if we haven't had enough.

It'll pass.

It's possibly interesting

to analyze the melt water.

My sister wanted to know

why I would ever

go up in a balloon again.

I think it was because

I wanted...

all that I knew,

all that he taught me...

...all that I've lost

to be for something.

Well...

I need to make sense

of all of this

before I can work out

quite what we've achieved,

but it, uh...

it seems that the atmosphere

has levels to it.

- That's-that's not what I mean.

- It has patterns within it.

Newton said that we build

too many walls

- and not enough bridges.

- I don't want to hear from Newton.

I want to hear from you.

All my life,

I've found comfort in science.

It helps give meaning to the

many things we can't control.

It brings a degree of order

to the...

chaos that surrounds us.

But whilst we may be able

to explain the science

behind an aureole

or the falling snow...

...it's not possible

to account for its beauty.

Together...

we've brought

the stars closer.

We have brought

the stars closer.

Do you notice something

about the snow?

It's not falling.

It's hovering.

It's static.

Strange. What might be...

We might, if we were traveling

at the same speed as it.

The same speed as snow?

The gas, it's still escaping.

Combined with the decrease

in pressure, it means...

That the balloon's collapsing.

Quick, help me!

Pull!

Pull!

- What on earth was that?

- My shoe.

Probably best

not to question it.

But if your shoe was up there,

that means that...

Maybe we save the thanks

for later.

We need to lose weight.

A lot of weight. Now!

Come on.

The chest! The chest!

I'll do it.

One, two.

We should lose our jackets.

My hands.

Help me.

Yeah. I'll do it.

Come on!

It's not working, Amelia!

It's not working!

Climb into the hoop.

- What?

- Amelia, climb into the hoop!

We need to lose the basket!

It's the heaviest weight!

Come on!

Quick!

Come on!

That's it!

Come on!

One more!

Hold on!

It's not enough!

- We're still too fast.

- It will be enough.

Amelia?

Amelia, what are you doing?

I'm not sure I was meant

to survive this.

Amelia, no! Get back down!

Amelia!

Amelia!

Bedsheets.

Amelia, bedsheets!

We sever the cord

keeping the balloon in shape,

and then the silk will be

pulled up into the netting

and act as a parachute.

- It's not going to work!

- It will work!

I'm not returning alone.

Amelia, I'm not

returning alone.

It's either both of us

or neither of us.

Hold on!

We hold on!

Whoa!

It worked!

It worked!

It's not over yet.

James!

James!

James!

James!

James!

Amelia?

James!

- James!

- Amelia, I'm coming!

James!

- James!

- Amelia!

James.

Amelia!

James.

I was just coming to find you.

Not very quickly, it seems.

Can you stand?

I'd rather not.

And if I help you?

Then I would stand.

It was estimated

that we rose to a height

of 37,000 feet that day.

Seven miles high.

"Two aeronauts

"have been nearer

to the Moon and stars

than all the race of man

before them."

The Times, Ethel.

You read it?

Yes, Arthur,

I've read it.

My boy.

James Glaisher's

meticulous recording of data

showed that the atmosphere

has different layers within it,

a discovery which led

to the first scientific

weather forecasts.

The fact that I am able

to be here at all

to present this to you

is due to some luck,

some help...

...and Amelia Wren's

remarkable courage.

So, we tell our story

not for the purposes

of pleasure

but for the advancement

of knowledge...

...and for the good of us all.

We took to the skies

in the name of discovery,

to find something new,

to change the world.

Come on! I've flown

in worse weather than this!

We'll make pilots of you yet.

We won't.

But you don't change the world

simply by looking at it.

You change it through the way

you choose to live in it.

Look up.

The sky lies open.