Biggles (1986)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

John Hough

Writers:

W.E. Johns (characters)
John Groves (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

29 January 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi | War

Tagline:

Meet Jim Ferguson. He lived a daring double-life with one foot in the 20th century and the other in World War I.

Plot:

One minute the New Yorker advertising expert Jim Ferguson is at a business party -- the next he finds...

Plot Keywords:

Disappearance | Cult Favorite | Convent | London | SWAT Team

Cast

Neil Dickson	...	James 'Biggles' Bigglesworth
Alex Hyde-White	...	Jim Ferguson
Fiona Hutchison	...	Debbie
Peter Cushing	...	Colonel William Raymond
Marcus Gilbert	...	Eric Von Stalhein
William Hootkins	...	Chuck
Alan Polonsky	...	Bill
Francesca Gonshaw	...	Marie
Michael Siberry	...	Algy
James Saxon	...	Bertie
Daniel Flynn	...	Ginger
Roy Boyd	...	German N.C.O
Samantha Bradshaw	...	Hotel Girl
Andrea Browne	...	Lady Buyer
David Butler	...	British Officer
David Cann	...	Sapper Officer
Fanny Carby	...	Cleaning Lady
Forbes Collins	...	German Soldier
Patricia Ford	...	Telephone Operator
Jennifer Guy	...	Hotel Girl
Ian Hanham	...	German Officer
Terence Mountain	...	Doorman (as Terry Mountain)
Catherine Neilson	...	Young Nun
Herman Nicholas	...	German Officer
Alibe Parsons	...	Maxine Fine
Steffanie Pitt	...	Judy
Christopher Robbie	...	Hotel Clerk
Lea Rochelle	...	Policewoman
Pam St. Clement	...	Mother Superior
Frank Singuineau	...	Tribesman
Jonathan Steward	...	Minister
Julie Sullivan	...	Nun
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sean Barry-Weske	...	German N.C.O. (uncredited)

Directed by
John Hough

Writing credits
W.E. Johns		(characters) (as Capt. W.E. Johns)
John Groves		(screenplay) and
Kent Walwin		(screenplay)

Produced by
Paul Barnes-Taylor	....	co-executive producer
Peter James	....	associate producer
John O'Connor	....	co-associate producer
Pom Oliver	....	producer
Adrian Scrope	....	executive producer
Kent Walwin	....	producer

Original Music by
Stanislas Syrewicz		(as Stanislas)

Cinematography by
Ernest Vincze

Film Editing by
Richard Trevor

Production Design by
Terry Pritchard

Costume Design by
James Acheson

Makeup Department
Tricia Cameron	....	hair stylist
Eddie Knight	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Ron Jackson	....	unit manager: second unit
Annie Rees	....	unit manager: second unit
Sally Shewring	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tim Coddington	....	second assistant director: second unit
Terry Coles	....	second unit director
Peter Cotton	....	first assistant director: second unit
Sean Fleming	....	third assistant director
John O'Connor	....	first assistant director
Iain Whyte	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Lawrence Ayres	....	dressing props (as Lawrie Ayres)
Ray Barrett	....	construction manager
Peter Bryant	....	dressing props
Peta Button	....	assistant art director
Kevin Crowe	....	carpenter
James Ede	....	painter
Karen Finsaas	....	art department runner
Leslie Fulford	....	production buyer
Derek Griffin	....	carpenter
Kevin Harris	....	stand-by carpenter
George King	....	stand-by stagehand
David McKing	....	painter
Denis Rich	....	storyboard artist (as Dennis Rich)
Bill Stark	....	stand-by props
Graham Stickley	....	dressing props
Chris Townsend	....	art department assistant (as Christopher Townsend)
Micky Wheeler	....	stand-by props
Arthur Wicks	....	property master
Jack Dyer	....	chargehand stagehand (uncredited)

Sound Department
Ted Ball	....	boom operator (as Edward Ball)
Michael A. Carter	....	dubbing mixer
Michael Danks	....	assistant sound editor
Dan Grimmel	....	boom operator
Graham V. Hartstone	....	chief dubbing mixer
Peter Horrocks	....	dialogue editor
Paul Le Mare	....	sound mixer
Nicolas Le Messurier	....	dubbing mixer (as Nicolas Lemessurier)
Peter Pardo	....	sound mixer (as Peter Pardoe)
Joe Seaton	....	assistant sound editor
Steve Spencer	....	assistant sound editor
William Trent	....	sound editor (as Bill Trent)

Special Effects by
Craig Chandler	....	special photographic effects
Peter Davey	....	special effects technician
Martin Gant	....	senior special effects technician
David Harris	....	special effects supervisor
Andrew Kelly	....	senior special effects technician
Alan Poole	....	special effects technician
Gillie Potter	....	special photographic effects
David H. Watkins	....	senior special effects technician (as David Watkins)

Visual Effects by
Craig Chandler	....	optical effects

Stunts
Roy Alon	....	stunts
Ken Barker	....	stunts
Gerry Crampton	....	stunt coordinator
Jim Dowdall	....	stunts
Paul Heasman	....	stunts (as Pans Heasman)
Nick Hobbs	....	stunts
Billy Horrigan	....	stunts
Mark McBride	....	stunts (as Marc McBride)
Wayne Michaels	....	stunts
Gareth Milne	....	stunts
Dinny Powell	....	stunts
Colin Skeaping	....	stunts
Alan Stuart	....	stunts
Rocky Taylor	....	stunts
Terry Walsh	....	stunts
Chris Webb	....	stunts
Marc Wolff	....	helicopter stunt pilot

Camera and Electrical Department
Bill Beenham	....	stand-by rigger (as William Beenham)
Neil Binney	....	camera operator
H. Bisson	....	generator operator
John Brown	....	still photographer
Terry Chapman	....	grip: second unit
Louis Conroy	....	gaffer
John Devine	....	electrician
Gerard Donnelly	....	electrician (as Gerald Donnelly)
Philip Fitzsimons	....	electrician (as Phillip Fitzsimmons)
Stuart Game	....	clapper loader: second unit
John Haylen	....	electrician (as J.M. Haylen)
Martin Hume	....	focus puller: second unit
Martin Testar	....	focus puller
Nick Pearson	....	key grip (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Daryl Bristow	....	wardrobe master (as Darryl Bristow)
Brian Cox	....	wardrobe assistant
Amelia Davies	....	wardrobe assistant
Cynthea Dowling	....	wardrobe assistant (as Cynthia Dowling)
David Murphy	....	wardrobe assistant
Heather Williams	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Martin Crane	....	assistant editor: promo reel
Hazel Harste	....	assistant film editor
Kate Mackenzie	....	second assistant editor

Music Department
David Minns	....	music coordinator
Brian Peachey	....	music editor (as Brian Peachy)
Andy Richards	....	music programmer (uncredited)

Other crew
Dizzy Addicott	....	pilot: bi-plane
Yves Baignères	....	production runner (as Yves Baigneres)
Martin Bruce-Clayton	....	location contact
Dawn Cherry	....	secretary to director
Robert C. Dearberg	....	promo reel editor (as Bob Dearberg)
Lorely Farley	....	script supervisor
Christine Fenton	....	production coordinator
Stuart Goldspink	....	pilot: bi-plane
Gwyneth Grace	....	unit nurse
David Grimsdale	....	post synch effects editor
Pat Hackworth	....	accounts: Compact Yellowbill
Jack Hawtree	....	production accountant
Valerie Hawtree	....	accounts secretary
Nick Hodge	....	assistant to producer
Emi Hongo	....	assistant to producer
Sarah Jackson	....	consultant to producer
Grahame Jennings	....	financial services
John Jordan	....	pilot: bi-plane
Claire Litchfield	....	unit nurse (as Clare Litchfield)
Terry McCallum	....	production contact
James Newton	....	financial services
Edward O'Connor	....	floor runner
Josephine Olive-O'Neill	....	assistant accountant (as Josephine O'Neil)
Michael Peare	....	pilot: bi-plane
Colin Prescott	....	helicopter arranger
Frank Ratcliffe	....	unit publicist
Melinda Rees	....	continuity: second unit
Andrew Von Preussen	....	second helicopter pilot
Marc Wolff	....	helicopter pilot
Brian Wynne	....	post-production contact
Pauline Hume	....	title designer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Compact Yellowbill
• Tambarle

Distributors

• New Century Vista Film Company (1988) (USA)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD) (as "Biggles: Adventures in Time")
• VellaVisión (2007) (Spain) (DVD)

Special Effects

• GSE (special photographic effects)

Other Companies

• Pinewood Studios  sound re-recording
• JAC Publicity  publicity
• The Helicopter Partnership  helicopters arranged by
• Skysport Engineering Ltd.  planes supplied by
• The Shuttleworth Collection  planes supplied by
• Samuelson Film Service  camera equipment provided by
• Osborne Sound Ltd.  sound equipment provided by
• J&J Film Foods Ltd.  catering
• D&D  transportation
• Willie's Wheels  service vehicles provided by (as Willies Wheels)
• Focus  unit cars
• Fuji Photo Film  film stock supplied by
• GBS Film Lighting  electrical equipment
• 35mm Music Ltd.  music coordination
• MCA Records  original soundtrack album released by
• Seiko Time  watches supplied by
• Seagram U.K. Ltd.  Paul Masson Wines supplied by
• Sony U.K. Ltd.  cassette recorder supplied by
• Colour Film Services  television monitors supplied by
• Tower Thistle Hotel  thanks
• Heath Financial Services Ltd.  copyright

Also Known As:

Biggles: Adventures in Time (USA)

Runtime:

France:92 min | Sweden:85 min | UK:108 min | Spain:88 min (DVD edition)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Spain:T | Australia:PG | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Germany:6 (TV rating) | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Beckton Gasworks, Beckton, London, England, UK

Company:

Compact Yellowbill

Trivia:

Features Peter Cushing's last screen performance.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Some scenes supposedly in New York are obviously filmed in the UK, evidenced by the visible UK road markings.

Quotes:

Biggles: Quick! Untie us before they realise you're not a God, you're just an American.

Movie Connections:

References "Fantasy Island" (1978)

Soundtrack:

DO YOU WANT TO BE A HERO

A really fun adventure

This film is not meant to be taken seriously, but is a thoroughly enjoyable romp, with a lot of humour. I watch my recording from time to time, and still laugh at it.

I particularly liked the way that Col. Raymond explained to Ferguson that the Germans are developing a secret weapon that could change the outcome of WWI, as though the war is still taking place, rather than being long over. This film gave the feeling that the past is still just as real as the present, and is somehow happening at the same time - spooky!

The background music was excellent: the "So you want to be a hero?!" piece as the biplanes streaked along just over the ground, woods on both sides, was marvelous.

The supporting characters of Algy, Bertie and Ginger seemed to fit so well with the old Capt. W.E. Johns stories - the actors really looked the part. Neil Dickson was excellent as the brave but human British hero who, when Von Stalheim proposes a toast "To War", replies "To Peace". The film definitely captured some of the "Boy's Own" era of British story-telling, when the heroes were bold, resourceful and always ready to have a go at the enemy, regardless of the odds or the danger - but always remained polite and courteous.

I really don't understand why this film bombed out at the box-office; after all, we have all seen far worse films which did much better. Perhaps the name "Biggles" is too British to attract an American audience, who don't have the nostalgic fondness for the character that we who read the books in our youth have?