Biggles: Adventures in Time (1986)

Daring British WWI fighter pilot James "Biggles" Bigglesworth and 1980s low-level business executive Jim Ferguson discover that they can time travel to each other's eras. They try to stop the Germans from changing the outcome of WWI.

Director:

John Hough

Writers:

W.E. Johns (characters) (as Capt. W.E. Johns), John Groves (screenplay)

Stars:

Neil Dickson, Alex Hyde-White, Fiona Hutchison

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Neil Dickson	...	James 'Biggles' Bigglesworth
Alex Hyde-White	...	Jim Ferguson
Fiona Hutchison	...	Debbie Stephens
Peter Cushing	...	Air Commodore Colonel William Raymond
Marcus Gilbert	...	Eric Von Stalhein
William Hootkins	...	Chuck Dinsmore
Alan Polonsky	...	Bill Kizitski
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

Storyline

One minute the New Yorker advertising expert Jim Ferguson is at a business party -- the next he finds himself way back in 1917 in a plane fight during World War I. Mr. Raymond explains to him that he has a time-twin, to whom he's relocated in space and time whenever one of them is in trouble. So he has to help his twin, biplane pilot Biggles, in his attempt to destroy a German super weapon, that could win their war. Of course it's hard for Jim to explain his sudden disappearances to his fiance, Debbie.

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Plot Keywords:

time travel | world war one | historical event | aviation | american in the uk | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Fox and Jeremy Irons were pursued by the producers for the lead role.

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Goofs

At many points during the film the heroes use machine guns, it looks as though every one is a Sten gun type, which weren't in use until the late 1930's.

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Quotes

[Biggles and Jim have returned to 1917 in the helicopter, and have been spotted by Von Stalhein]
Biggles: Let's show this sausage guzzler what this thing can do.
Jim Ferguson: Go for it.

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Crazy Credits

In the end of the credits it says: Filmed on location in New York - London - and the Western Front 1917.

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Connections

Featured in Biggles: The Making of a Movie (1985)

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Soundtracks

DO YOU WANT TO BE A HERO
Performed by Jon Anderson
Music by Stanislas Syrewicz
Lyrics by Jon Anderson
Published by Warner Brothers Music/Tizz Music
administrated by Warner Brothers Music

User Reviews

They've tried VERY hard with the R2 DVD...

...what a pity the original movie wasn't worked on with the same skill and dedication.

I am a very big fan of the books. I read 'Biggles of 266' when I was aged 10 and 29 years later I'm still reading the adventures.

What a waste of the Biggles movie license.

The film wasn't all bad, though. Neil Dickson's portrayal of Biggles was spot on. The supporting actors did a pretty good job as well. The production design was excellent (well, the 1917 bits, anyway). That takes care of the good points.

Where the hell did they drag that soundtrack up from? Nasty is what I call it. I actually cringed during the film, due to inapropriate music.

The stunts were mostly unnecessary ego-boosting cliches.

The script was a total nightmare. Either copy Indiana Jones OR Back to the Future, not BOTH! If they'd cut the 80s bit out, cast Hyde-White as an american reporter and kept the secret weapon bits in, I would have no quibble with this film.

I would recommend buying the DVD if only for the unintentionally hilarious documentary. "..we thought a big star would've 'unbalanced' the film..." you don't say!!!

£3.99 at WH Smiths - buy it now! The spirit of Edward D Wood Jr. lives on!

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

29 January 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Biggles: Adventures in Time

Filming Locations:

Old Warden Aerodrome, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$112,132

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compact Yellowbill, Tambarle

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1