Today’s quick review: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. To cement Britain’s place at the forefront of aviation, pilot Richard Mays (James Fox) convinces Lord Rawnsley (Robert Morley) to sponsor an air race from London to Paris. Aviators from all across the globe come to compete. But Richard meets an unexpected challenge in Orvil Newton (Stuart Whitman), a Yankee pilot who catches the eye of Richard’s girlfriend Patricia (Sarah Miles).
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines is a classic ensemble comedy about an air race at the dawn of aviation. The movie pokes gentle fun at the development of heavier-than-air flight and the political and cultural landscape of the early 20th century. Improbable aircraft, national rivalries, and light slapstick are the movie’s bread and butter. However, the film’s somewhat thin characters and writing mean that it won’t appeal to everyone.
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines draws much of its humor from its colorful cast of characters. The pilots include Colonel Holstein (Gert Frobe), a puffed-up German officer; Pierre Dubois (Jean-Pierre Cassel), an easygoing Frenchman; Emilio Ponticelli (Alberto Sordi), an Italian hero; and Sir Percy (Terry-Thomas), a cheating British aristocrat. No single character is brilliant, but their comical antics make them easy to like.
The story itself is thin but serviceable. The movie never concerns itself with heavy drama or high tension, instead taking a lax, farcical approach to its story. The air race doesn’t start until fairly late in the movie. The time until then is spent on the pilots’ preparations, comedic digressions that let the movie indulge in aerial slapstick. The humor isn’t spectacular, but the light tone and lively cast help it earn some honest laughs.
Give Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines a try when you’re in the mood for something fun and carefree. The movie’s unusual premise and competent execution make it a worthy pick for fans of classic comedies. Those looking for sharper writing or deeper characters should look elsewhere. For a comedy with a similar tone and premise, try The Great Race. For an even more chaotic ensemble comedy, try It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for pleasant humor and a fruitful premise.