Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines Reviews

• A fun film, despite Stuart Whitman...

  
  By A25ZVI6RH1KA5L on 2004-09-28
  Would you like to take a ride in my ornithopter? No? How about a quick jaunt in my aerial steam carriage? Maybe a lift in my oscillating monoplane? It's hard for many of us to imagine when airplanes were not the efficient, quick, safe, and somewhat affordable mode of transportation that they are today, but there was a time when the technology was still in the experimental stage, back in the early 20th century, and that's when the film Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines, or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours and 11 Minutes (1965)...whew! That's one heck of a title...
  
  Directed by Ken Annakin, a British director who gained acclaim working on such Disney films like The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952), The Sword and the Rose (1953), and Swiss Family Robinson (1960), Those Magnificent Men (shortened for sanity's sake) stars Stuart Whitman (Call Him Mr. Shatter) and Sarah Miles (The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing). Also appearing are Robert Morley (The African Queen), Gert Fröbe (Goldfinger), Eric Sykes, Benny Hill, Yûjirô Ishihara (Japan's most popular film, TV, and recording star at the time), along with England's most recognizable gap-toothed character actor Terry-Thomas (his most famous roles involve him playing an upper-class British twit, as he does here).
  
  The story is pretty straightforward here...basically, a rich (in both money and snobbery) English newspaper owner named Lord Rawnsley (played by Morley) happens upon an idea, one which would increase his paper's circulation greatly, of having an aeronautical race from London to Paris, with the winner to receive not only a large sum of dough, but the prestige of being the first man to accomplish such a daring feat. Applicants from all over the world begin appearing, most for the money, but some for the honor of their respective country. Orvil Newton (Whitman), arrives from America, Colonel Manfred von Holstein (Fröbe) from Germany, and so on and so on...and lest we forget native Englander Sir Percy Ware-Armitage (Thomas), along with his less than able henchman Courtney (Sykes), a pair of bounders (Sir Percy being the bigger bounder of the two) who will stoop to almost any form of chicanery in order to win the race.
  
  As far as grand, epic comedies go (the film runs roughly 138 minutes, but there is a lengthy intermission about halfway through, for those of you with the weak bladders), this isn't the best in my opinion, but it's certainly not the worst. My favorite has always been It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), with others being Around the World in 80 Days (1956), The Great Race (1965), Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies, aka Monte Carlo or Bust (1969). As with any of these films, Those Magnificent Men... has a few separate storylines going on at the same time that tie themselves up by the end, the main one usually being a romantic plot, here being a tepid love triangle between Patricia Rawnsley (played by Miles), whose father is sponsoring the race, Orvil, and a local man named Richard Mays (played by James Fox, who, by the way was involved with Sarah Miles in real life, around the time of the making of this film). I had read somewhere that the makers of this film had originally hoped to get Dick Van Dyke for Whitman's role, but couldn't for whatever reason. Casting Whitman as the male lead was a serious boo boo, as Whitman is one of the most unfunny, uncharming, and unwatchable actors I've seen in a long time. Come to think of it, the entire movie isn't really all that funny, but it does give effort and it has a lot of charm. The working replicas of the old-timey planes are really wonderful, along with the various authentic vehicles displayed, i.e. motorcars, motorcycles, etc. The aeronautical shots were excellent as was the scenery, the Cliffs of Dover, the Eiffel Tower, etc. I was kind of disappointed Terry-Thomas didn't have a bigger part in the film, as his on screen time probably ran about 15 minutes total at most. He plays the pretentious, foppish English twit better than most any other actor I'm familiar with...Come to think of it, I thought there was an awful lot of comic talent appearing in this film, with so little of it actually used (I'm still stuck on the whole `casting of Whitman as the comedic male lead' thing). The rest of the fliers, from various countries (which country made extremely obvious by not only their clothing but manner of speech), fills out a good deal of time. The stereotypes presented (an uptight German lacking a sense of humor, an animated Italian who has like 15 children, an overly amorous Frenchman) are goofy caricatures of themselves, and, while probably not entirely funny, they probably wouldn't offend except for the most sensitive. The special effects in the film are pretty obvious, but the scenes to watch are the ones with planes actually flying. All in all, this is just good fun, and a really good-looking film that can be enjoyed by all.
  
  The wide screen picture on this DVD looks really good, and the sound quality is superior. Special features include a full commentary by the director Ken Annakin (use the Force, ken, use the Force...a lame attempt at humor, to be sure), a theatrical Trailer, a TV spot, various still galleries featuring the actors, the planes, the visual effects, and storyboards. There is also a feature containing conversations with the director. I was surprised to see the amount of special features available here, and beware ye who enter the still galleries, the number of photos seems endless...
  
  Cookieman108
  
  
  

• One of the most enjoyable movies I've ever watched

  
  By A1CFKE8Q9C7QAF on 2001-10-04
  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!
  
  

• Magnificent Movie

  
  By A1GHUN5HXMHZ89 on 2004-03-03
  As a child my dad took our whole family to see any movie that had to do with airplanes. This is one that I enjoyed then and it has aged very well. I think this is one that families today will enjoy as much as we did when it first came out. Even though it is forty years old it was done as a period piece then and the production values were good and the cast and music is great. The message is pretty light stuff and easy to take. Anyone that likes some of the older comedies like "The Great Race" or "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" will enjoy it. The rivalries between the countries competing in the air race and the battle of the sex's are often funny. Airplane enthusiasts will definitely love seeing these pre-WWI airplanes in action. I bought the VHS years ago and I am looking forward to my DVD arriving.
  
  

• Magnificent DVD

  
  By A3TXQGR6QFRRVU on 2004-03-27
  Finally! The 20th Century-Fox 1965 roadshow extravaganza comes to DVD. The movie looks marvelous in what must be a transfer from a restored 70mm print. On my 16X9 HDTV in progressive scan the images are quite stunning for a film of this vintage. The Dolby Digital 5.0 remastering of the original 6-track magnetic soundtrack is also a joy to the ears. This is an old-fashioned entertainment for the entire family. Thanks to its presentation on this new DVD the movie is once again a grand experience. The extras are extensive for such a moderately priced DVD too. Director Ken Annakin provides an interesting commentary track and appears in a new featurette. Somebody at Fox definately loves this movie, one that is a childhood favorite of mine. I saw it in its original release, and also in a 1969 reissue as part of a double feature with Fox's "Planet of the Apes." "The Perfect Mates" the ads said, "Apes and Men." Studios just don't don't do things like that anymore. Anyway, this DVD is a joy!
  
  

• An airplane movie for the flight buff and general audience .

  
  By on 1999-10-31
  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.
  
  
• Okay c'mon fly in the DVD!
  By on 2000-11-08
  This wonderful movie is so chock full of laughs, adventure, romance and just plain old fashioned FUN it deserves to be on DVD in all its Todd-AO WIDESCREEN glory! It has beautiful cinematography, especially of the old airplanes in flight (and some not in flight...), a catchy, hummable musical score, and a prologue and epilogue with Red Skelton at his pantomimic best. The titles, by the great British cartoonist and satirist, Ronald Searle, are a movie unto themselves! Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, Terry Thomas, Robert Morley, and so many others are simply posh with pleasure to watch in a deliriously wacky story. Please, oh powers that be! get this movie on DVD!
  
  
• Authenic replicant aircraft top this 16:9 grand comedy DVD!!
  By AW003H7Z3OCHA on 2004-05-05
  1965 was the year of the big screen action race comedies with lots of stars, grand costumes, lavish sets and authentic classic vehicles. "The Great Race" a 1910 auto race from New York to Paris and the "Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines" a 1910 International Aircraft race from London to Paris.

  What makes this 1965 Action Comedy so Grand is the attention to detail by Director Ken Annakin who had 6 replica flying machines built by real aero - engineers from the original blue prints and specifications. The accuracy of these replicants even proved the critical pilot weight limitations. They had to even substitute a female stunt pilot to fly the French mono - wing because the original pilot was a very small man. Now available for the first time on a spectacular panoramic 2.20:1 Aspect ratio. (Anamorphic WideScreen DVD (automatically adjusts picture to viewing tv size) with Dolby Surround Sound.) NOTE: THIS IS A FANTASTIC MOVIE TO WATCH ON WIDESCREEN 16:9 HDTV!!!!!

  This film is 138 minutes and has many extras which include very detailed information and the history regarding all the 1910 vintage aircraft used in the film.

  With an All-star 1960's International cast; Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, James Fox, Robert Morley, Red Skelton, Gert Frobe, Jean-Pierre Cassal, Benny Hill, Alberto Sordi and Terry Thomas.

  This is a magnificent movie and the ingenuity and comedy of 1910 flight is a delight to watch on the BIG SCREEN. Enjoy.
  
  

• A delightful contest of stereotypes !
  By A1AZI730ZGAX73 on 2004-03-04
  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.
  
  

• Absolutely gorgeous DVD of classic comedy!
  By A3AP4EXJT1R2W0 on 2004-03-28
  This is truly a marvelous DVD transfer of the classic 1965 comedy that the whole family can enjoy. The image is breathtakingly sharp, capturing the amazing aerial photography of the classic early planes, the elaborate aerodrome set, and the delightful costume design; the sound, too, is top-notch, with the classic score and title tune bouncing along merrily. But what will keep you coming back is the laugh-out-loud comedy; sure, it's all based on stereotypes for each nationality, but some good-natured ribbing could help these days. Besides, funny is funny, and this movie is very, very funny, with riotous performances from Gert Frobe, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Terry-Thomas. You should try to see this on as big a screen as possible; pure cinematic joy!
  
  
• The best racing comedy of the 1960s.
  By on 2004-05-07
  This was yet another in a series of big-budget comedies that were so stuffed that had to include an intermission. (This 138 minute film has an intermission at the 79 minute mark, followed by a 6-minute Entr'acte, so that the second act is only 52 minutes.) It's also possibly the best one, along with IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD, but where IAMMMMW was at times overlong and peopled with nasty characters, you can care about the people in TMMITFM. It's funnier-with much broader comedy than the other, and a careful sense of time and place. There are a few laggy romantic bIts, but Those Magnificent Men is a fine film well served by 20th Century Fox. Well recommended.

  Jamie Teller
  
  

• Refreshingly Charming
  By A3ESD5FA6HNLUE on 2004-08-02
  This movie is a treat on DVD,crisp photography,great sound and the added bonus of the Intermission makes one feel they are back to the sixties in a theatre. To the audience of today this would not rank as comedy,but back in 1965 this was a massive hit. Do yourself a a favour,buy the DVD,instead of suffering Panand Scan versions shown on TV
  
  
• Superb Entertainment
  By A1OSORFH948MJ on 2002-06-01
  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?
  
  
• We Want DVD!
  By A4BT5VI5X67ZI on 2002-09-12
  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?
  
  

• PERFECT SIXTIES BRITISH HUMOR AND AUTHENTIC 1910 FLYING MACHINES
  By A1C80B497LCYKA on 2005-10-21
  Two films were made in 1965 that both catered to the current interest in turn-of-the-century history and wacky humor: The Great Race and Those Magnificent Men. The latter also catered to the fascination with anything British, and, in this case, includes some of the top British comedians of the day: Terry Thomas, Robert Morley and Benny Hill, to name a few. Director Ken Annakin has taken his love for aviation history and infused it with a host of wonderfully funny characters engaged in a partially historical race: a flight from London to Paris in 1910. At a time when people were literally obsessed with flying, there were some incredibly weird machines being put into flight, and many of them appear in this film. All the planes used were authentic reproductions of actual planes, built on spec with the original materials, but souped up a bit with more powerful engines.
  
  Even though there is a strong English flavor to everything in this film, it is truly an international race, with French, Italian, Japanese, German and American pilots participating. Stewart Whitman plays the American cowboy pilot flying a plane modeled after the Wright Brothers' machine. Sarah Miles is beautiful as Stuart's love interest, and is also pursued by suave British pilot James Fox. Robert Morley plays her father, and the sponsor of the race. Terry Thomas is the dastardly villain who is not above sabotaging his fellow competitors' planes, and Benny Hill plays an early version of an airfield controller. Other notables are Alberto Sordi as the rich Italian pilot, whose enthusiasm for flying is only matched by his enthusiasm for child-bearing; Gert Frobe as the German pilot, who does everything by the book, and to marching music, which he produces without the help of instruments; Jean-Pierre Cassel as the Frenchman, who is infatuated by Irena Demick, no matter how many different women she appears as; Eric Sykes as Terry Thomas' man Courtney; Yujiro Ishihara as the Japanese pilot; and Red Skelton as a variety of comic flyers from pre-modern times.
  
  It's amazing how many parallels there are between Ken Annakin's Those Incredible Men and Blake Edwards' The Great Race. One might almost think they were looking over each other's shoulders and stealing from each other. But there is quite a different flavor to each. Those Magnificent Men is strongly British and very realistic, whereas The Great Race is very American and a spoof on early film comedies, like the Keystone Cops, as well as more serious white-hat melodramas. As wonderful as both films are - especially for art, costume and other technical departments - it's hard to believe that the only Oscar they won was for sound effects, which went to The Great Race. But, when you consider that they were competing against The Sound of Music and Dr. Zhivago, maybe it's not so hard to believe. In their own right, though, they're both still wonderful.
  
  Waitsel Smith
  
  
• A magnificent moment of nostalgia
  By A1Q9ATMNX4IO36 on 2006-07-28
  I knew that I wanted this movie, but I had forgotten much of the plot. It is a pleasure to view this one and recall that movies could be humorous without being decadent; that adventure could be portrayed without endless special effects or digital animation or dissonant "music"; and that the more leisurely pace was relaxing :-) Suffice to say that both my wife and I found it very enjoyable!
  
  The extra clips were fascinating background on making of the movie: one should not miss reviewing them. The effort spent on the aircraft alone added a considerable touch of reality.
  
  
• Strange, weird movie
  By A8W8UR4X7U19M on 2007-04-11
  I bought Magnificent Men because my four year old loves old airplanes and he actually watched the whole movie from beginning to end. When the airplanes are actually moving and the race is on or they're practising is quite interesting and somewhat engaging. The rest of the silliness is just that...silly and fun...esp. for a four year old. Some of it of course is over his head. The anniv. edition has some great info on how the film was made and who actually flew those original made machines.
  The airplanes are definitely the star of this film.
  
  
• A timeless movie for all ages
  By ALEHVR4OSZBNY on 2006-07-22
  I remember when I was growing up, how I used to love this movie and the theme song that was just imprinted in my mind. The other day I decided to buy this movie again. I was a little worried as the last time I watched this move was more than 20 years ago when I was in my late teens. I had forgotten most of the movie but it was still very refreshing. It is almost as much as of a classic like animal house minus the adult humor. This is a must if you have kids. They too get to discover Red Skeleton who is right at the begining of the movie making funny faces. Plus, it will instill the thought of free thinking, engineering, flight, history and a love for just good clean comedies.
  
  
• Great movie, when on Dvd?
  By A36R47CGXIEL5E on 2000-03-24
  Briefly, one of my all time favorites.

  When will it be on dvd! I hope soon!
  
  

• Giggles O'Plenty in Old-Time Flying Farce
  By on 1999-10-05
  While I don't consider this one the knee-slapper of "Mad, Mad World", it's diverting, entertaining, and immensly enjoyable. Jean-Pierre Cassell and Gert Frobe as the Frenchman and German, respectively, keep the laughs coming and everyone does a splendid job (look for a very subdued Benny Hill playing the fireman at the top of the airfield tower)but it is Terry-Thomas (and sidekick Eric Sykes) who keep you glued to the screen. Thomas's villian, Sir Percy Ware-Armitage, is the British equivalent of Jack Lemmon's Professor Fate and is the sneakiest, oiliest, most underhanded ne'er-do-well since Richard the Third! The planes are eye-popping, the costumes gorgeous, the cinematography crisp and the rousing Title Theme will run through your head long after the picture's over. Red Skelton does a hilarious prologue (and Epilogue) which showcases his brilliiance at pantomimic clowning.
  
  
• We want DVD!!!!
  By on 2002-12-02
  This is one of the best comedies I ever seen and it is improving my mood every time I even just think about the movie.
  I wish to have it on DVD !!! Please listen to populus voice!!
  DVD is needed!
  
  
• It's Better Than Nothing
  By A2BAP3KA8XX0IQ on 2004-02-04
  One of the funniest and most adventurous movies ever filmed. Cinematography is fabulous. Too bad it's not in widescreen format. Because of the full screen edition, you only get a partial view of the great flying panoramas. What were they thinking not producing it in Widescreen version? Never-the-less, it's better than nothing. Buy it, you won't regret it.
  
  
• Those Magnificent Movies
  By A3QAQUUPFIARWB on 2006-04-14
  As cartoon lovers have likely noticed, Hanna-Barbera has recently released (Dick) Dastardly and Muttley and Their Flying Machines and The Perils of Penelope Pitstop on DVD. Now imagine these cartoons came out first, and someone later decided to make bad spin-off live action movies of them. Delightfully, however, it's the other way 'round. These movies came first, and they're not bad at all. In fact, they're exceptionally good, this one being the best. Of course these films may not have inspired the H-B cartooons, which have plenty of other inspirations in the melodramas they play from.
  
  I don't think viewers watch this film, or the related films The Great Race, Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies, for the plot but for the look, the style, the cartooniness without being cartoons, which predicts Monte Python but displays the best of the sense of style at the height of '60s movie making. Gerald Searle's opening titles and the opening theme music (which even now I remember) perfectly echo these sensibilities. As another example consider the cartoon intro to Blake Edwards' Pink Panther, so affecting that it spun off its own cartoon series by DePatie-Freleng. There is also a quite decent companion film about a moon launch (the title of which escapes me). Now on budget DVD, family entertainment hits a new high with this magnificent movie.
  
  
• a great family movie,and the stunts are wild!
  By A1KP0IVWU0RQ0A on 2006-06-05
  this is one of the best family comedy's we have seen in some time!! my boys picked this one out and when i saw it i fliped. i have been looking for this lost gem forever! i remember as a child watching this and having a blast! we set as a family and watched this true story of the 1910 race to cross the english channel and had a blast. the flying stunts are just beyond belief,and this is really a family movie so no bad things are there for the kids to see or hear! set back and enjoy!!!
  
  
• Another one for DVD
  By A3TDI8MDVR6T67 on 2001-01-25
  Anyone that has the slightest interest in aviation of any form will do themselves a favor to add this to their collection. Just the brand new construction of of pre-WWI aircraft is a sight to see, and seeing good old Terry Thomas is a delight. Flics with the same sense of enjoyment are..Grand Prix and The Rocketeer. Add them all to your collection. Cheers..
  
  
• A comedy enjoyed by adults and teens
  By A3APYWXL54R4R6 on 2001-08-19
  My wife and I just finished watching "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines" with five teenaged boys. I was afraid that the attention of these boys would wane at some point during this 2-plus hour comedy/adventure, but they enjoyed it from beginning to end.

  At one point they were fascinated with all the antique airplanes, both in the prologue with Red Skelton, and the wonderfully rebuilt classic planes used in the race from London to Paris. Then they were splitting a gut over the Keystone Kops style slapstick humor, and they chuckled at the nationalistic stereotypes. These teens are also really into music, and I heard them humming along with various familiar tunes used in the soundtrack.

  So, while this comedy is a throwback to a more innocent era, it still held the attention of a roomful of teens, as well as my wife and I. I must admit that I'd never seen this hilarious film in its entirety before, and now I wonder why. I'm sure we'll watch it again sometime in the future.
  
  

• Advenure of dream of flying realized
  By A3SHZ09KIW1TS1 on 2002-07-28
  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???
  
  
• Wanna have FUN?
  By AOEQZLCRMEYXL on 2003-02-28
  FUN, FUN, FUN - nothing else describes my feelings when I watch this film (after at least 10 viewings). I agree with the other recent reviews - I want a DVD version!
  Wanna smile? Watch it tonight!
  
  
• I remember this film as a youngster
  By A2XXKUZJ1VW7Z5 on 2003-07-04
  helped my imagination no end so I should like to buy the DVD to show my kids, anyone know where I can get it or who owns the rights?
  
  
• Hysterical and crazy air misadventure!
  By A240QB45BSMDAN on 2003-07-13
  "Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines" is another one of those long near-epic length films of the 1960's. (Don't you just love it?) All of the world's greatest aviators including Stuart Whitman, Gert Frobe, and Terry-Thomas are to meet in London and prepare themselves for a London to Paris air race. The result: hilarity and wackiness all leading in to one giant misadventure that will have you in stitches. By the way, when the German aviator is marching with his soldiers he imitates a brass oompah band! Hysterical sounding! Check this one out. Satisfaction guaranteed!
  
  
• great family fun
  By on 2003-07-15
  This is a great movie - it is partly the reason for my pursuit of flying. Needs to be released in DVD.
  
  

• The Great Race
• It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
• The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming
• Around the World in 80 Days (Two-Disc Special Edition)
• The Blue Max