Rating: 
Summary: Superb Entertainment
Review: One of the really wonderful movies I know of. The story of "the great air race of 1910", with so many wonderful characters too numerous to mention here. Made the way movies should be made (what else should you anticipate from Ken Annikan?) - no overt sex, no foul language, no bloody gore - I know that won't please the liberal-minded proponents of sex and language, but it will, therefore, be a movie which you can show to your kids - a wonderful family movie. This is really a great movie, from Stewart Whitman to the slippery character played by Terry-Thomas, from Count Ponticelli to Sarah Miles, from London to Paris. I have this on laser, but absolutely want to get it on DVD.... are you listening out there, whoever makes those decisions?
Rating: 
Summary: A delightful contest of stereotypes !
Review: Other than being a great movie about early aircraft -- which have a tremendous charm of their own -- and being a very funny movie, this movie really is about national stereotypes. There is the American who's a cowboy, the German who's regimented and military (and Goldfinger, no less), the Italian who sings as he flies, the French who aren't particularly fastidious about details....and on and on. The word stereotype has become stereotyped, itself, as some sort of evil thing at this point in our history. However, in 1965 when this was a "road show" (you needed reserved seats purchased ahead of time to see it) and shown in deluxe Cinerama venues it was a very unique enterprise. The comedy was IN the pitting of these stereotypes against each other in nationalistic but good-natured fun. As far as that issue (stereotyping) is concerned, this movie shows us that the pendulum has swung way too far in the "other" direction and we all take ourselves way too seriously. I think that's what the movie is about (today) and the scenery, the vistas, and the ancient aircraft are the props around which this comedy of nationalities plays itself out.A unique sort of fun -- not unlike "It's a Mad Mad World..." or "The Great Race" all of which were created around the same time. I will be pleased to view it in DVD splendor in widescreen format and surround. It's an old friend that I haven't visited for a long time. PS: the first time I saw it was in Germany (dubbed in German) which gave it an even more interesting perspective.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful contest of stereotypes !
Review: Other than being a great movie about early aircraft -- which have a tremendous charm of their own -- and being a very funny movie, this movie really is about national stereotypes. There is the American who's a cowboy, the German who's regimented and military (and Goldfinger, no less), the Italian who sings as he flies, the French who aren't particularly fastidious about details....and on and on. The word stereotype has become stereotyped, itself, as some sort of evil thing at this point in our history. However, in 1965 when this was a "road show" (you needed reserved seats purchased ahead of time to see it) and shown in deluxe Cinerama venues it was a very unique enterprise. The comedy was IN the pitting of these stereotypes against each other in nationalistic but good-natured fun. As far as that issue (stereotyping) is concerned, this movie shows us that the pendulum has swung way too far in the "other" direction and we all take ourselves way too seriously. I think that's what the movie is about (today) and the scenery, the vistas, and the ancient aircraft are the props around which this comedy of nationalities plays itself out. A unique sort of fun -- not unlike "It's a Mad Mad World..." or "The Great Race" all of which were created around the same time. I will be pleased to view it in DVD splendor in widescreen format and surround. It's an old friend that I haven't visited for a long time. PS: the first time I saw it was in Germany (dubbed in German) which gave it an even more interesting perspective.
Rating:
Summary: We Want DVD!
Review: The other reviewers have already said it, but I'll say it again: This is one of the most delightful movies you could ever watch, a true work of the cinematographer's art. Like Casablanca, it gets better with each viewing. With a sales rank of 2,929 (top 1%), why on Earth isn't it available on DVD?
Rating:
Summary: Advenure of dream of flying realized
Review: They say we don't apreciate the dream of flying. We sit in our Jet Liners and forget that man gazed upon the skys ever since the dawn of mankind. dreaming to fly. Yes its a letdown to expirience this dream in our modern world, but what about less then a decade after the Write brothers took off. The Magic is still alive. No other movie gives you that feeling "of being there in the early days" when flying was still dangerous and exotic - hell most people saw it but could not blieve it was possilbe. This movie leads you down that very adventure and does so wit a lot of humor. Escpecially Gerd Foebe's statement"There is nothing a German Officer cant do" despite the fact he has never flown an airlpane and attemts to do so with written instructions gives this movie the insight wittyness that is hard to find. Pop in the tape and enjoy - go back in time when flying was still an adventure - you wont regret the time spent watching the movie. So why is it not on DVD yet???
Rating:
Summary: Fun flying
Review: This is a funny movie in its own right. But if you're into flying at all, then it's golden. All those marvelous replicas of early machines, flying together - it's like nothing since Rheims! Oh sure, some of the comedy is a little on the obvious side, but that's largely due to subsequent imitation.
Rating:
Summary: great family fun
Review: This is a great movie - it is partly the reason for my pursuit of flying. Needs to be released in DVD.
Rating:
Summary: An airplane movie for the flight buff and general audience .
Review: This is a marvelous film for people who love airplanes, but it also has much to recommend it for anyone in the family. It captures the romance of the pre-WWI era and takes an affectionate look at the pre-war planes as well. The story is set around a race from London to Paris, and is also a fractured take on the political and social situation of the period. Flyers from all over the world meet at an airfield set in the infield of a Brooklands style race track. The first half of the film introduces us to the somewhat caricatured but nevertheless engaging pilots from each major flying nation: the womanizing Frenchman, the stiff-backed Prussians, the rich and prolific Italian, the cowboy from Arizona, and several British types, most notably Sir Percy Ware-Armitage, played with black-hearted delight by Terry Thomas. The film boasts a whole gamut of great character actors like Gert Frobe, Robt. Morely and even Red Skelton. The flying sequences before and during the race combine slapstick comedy with truly awesome shots of the other stars of the film, the authentic reproductions of 1910 aircraft. I've loved this film since I saw it as a child, and my non-airplane daughter even counts it as one of her favorites. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth watching
Review: This is an absolutely enjoyable compilation of nonsense with some wonderfull performances from the supporting players as well as the stars, of which the main ones are the planes. The only complaint is that it is not currently available on DVD. Please change that.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most enjoyable movies I've ever watched
Review: This is an absolutely wonderful movie. I have watched it again and again. It seems to be one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, yet it was a very good old fashioned, innocent, and more professional humor than most other comedies. I think it is a work of art and should be added to DVD format. Being that much of my family is German, Gert Fröbe was my favorite character. A funny and warm resemblance of the Prussian gentleman of the time. All the national characters were funny too. Terry Thomas was wonderful and gave me plenty of laughs. The Frenchmen and the Italian (Emilio) were great too. You will just feel naturally happier after you watch this movie. Don't even hesitate to buy it!
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