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Supported by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI's Film Audience Network, and funded by Screen Scotland and National Lottery Funding from the BFI
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Join us at the Low Green in Ayr, on Saturday 9 September, and Sunday 10 September, when we shall be screening some movies that are aviation themed. Titles will include ; 'The Battle of Britain' ; 'The Memphis Belle' ; 'Wings Over Everest' ; and 'Planes' (childrens' film)
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (UK)1969
Action/ Drama/ History
Director : Guy Hamilton
Starring : Michael Caine
Trevor Howard
Susannah York
2 hr 12 min
Released in 1969, the film Battle of Britain went on to become one of the most iconic war movies ever produced. The film drew many respected British actors to accept roles as key figures of the battle, including Sir Laurence Olivier as Hugh Dowding and Trevor Howard as Keith Park. It also starred Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer and Robert Shaw as squadron leaders.
As well as its large all-star international cast, the film was notable for its spectacular flying sequences which were on a far grander scale than anything that had been seen on film before. At the time of its release, Battle of Britain was singled out for its efforts to portray the events of the summer of 1940 in great accuracy. To achieve this, Battle of Britain veterans such as Group Captain Tom Gleave, Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck, Wing Commander Douglas Bader, Squadron Leader Boleszaw Drobizski and Luftwaffe General Adolf Galland were all involved as consultants.
THE Memphis Belle (USA) 1944 Documentary/History/War
Director : William Wyler
Starring : Stanley Wray
Robert Morgan
James A. Verinis
45 min
During World War II, the U.S. government produced propaganda films to rally public support. Among the most famous of those motion pictures is Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress released in 1944. The movie depicts the 25th bombing mission of the aircraft called “Memphis Belle,” piloted by Capt. Robert Morgan, in May 1943. Having completed 25 missions, the crew returned to the United States to sell war bonds.
The full-color film was produced by Lt. Col. William Wyler working in the First Motion Picture Unit of the Army Air Forces. It was filmed by U.S. 8th Air Force photographers and combat crew members. The final production was distributed by Paramount Pictures. Wyler was a noted Hollywood producer, having won the Academy Award for direction of Mrs. Miniver in 1942.
WINGS OVER EVEREST(UK)1934
Documentary/Short
Directors : Geoffrey Barkas Ivor Montagu
Starring : Alexander John
David Timson
Michael Kilgarriff
22 min
Everyone knows that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first men to reach the peak of Mount Everest with their landmark 1953 expedition up the Himalayan mountain. However, most people are unaware that they were not the first men to see the top of the world’s highest mountain. That achievement belonged to a 1933 aerial expedition led by Sir Douglas Douglas-Hamilton (also known as Lord Clydesdale) and Lieutenant David McIntyre. Sadly, that accomplishment has been mostly forgotten today – except for Academy Award completists who know about the expedition through a short documentary called “Wings Over Everest
Douglas-Hamilton was 30 and McIntyre was 28 years old when they secured financial support from Lady Lucy Houston, a one-time chorus girl who married very well on three separate occasions and became one of Britain’s most prominent philanthropists. Lady Houston was an aviation enthusiast and she was eager to see her country score an aeronautic coup by flying through skies that had yet to be piloted. Thanks to her generosity of a £100,000 grant, the flight over Everest was financed.
Air Commodore His Grace
The Duke of Hamilton
KT, GCVO, AFC, PC, DL, FRCSE, FRGS
McIntyre and Douglas-Hamilton made their historic odyssey using biplanes that were not pressurized to withstand the extraordinary conditions above Everest; the pilots used bottled oxygen and specially designed flight suits to withstand the elements. The flights took off from Purnea, India, on April 3, 1933, with only 15 minutes’ worth of fuel to power the primitive aircraft. The fact that both biplanes achieved their mission and returned safely was considered a feat of technological marvel and personal courage.
The film, Wings over Everest, won a Hollywood Oscar Award in 1934.
Indirectly, the expedition resulted in the formation of Scottish Aviation Ltd (now part of BAE Systems).
Prestwick Airport was founded, in 1935, by David McIntyre and the Duke of Hamilton.
PLANES (USA)
Animation/Adventure/Comedy
Director : Klay Hall
Starring : Carlos Alazraqui
Dane Cook
Stacy Keach
1 hr 31 min
Planes is a 2013 American 3D computer-animated sports comedy film produced by Disneytoon Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures.[3] Directed by Klay Hall, it is a spin-off of Pixar's Cars franchise. Despite not being produced by Pixar, the film was co-written and executive produced by Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios' then-chief creative officer John Lasseter, who directed the first two Cars films.
Dusty is a cropdusting plane who dreams of competing in a famous aerial race. The problem? He is hopelessly afraid of heights. With the support of his mentor Skipper and a host of new friends, Dusty sets off to make his dreams come true.
Award Winning Cinema on your doorstep
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