The Aviator (2004)

A biopic depicting the early years of legendary Director and aviator Howard Hughes' career from the late 1920s to the mid 1940s.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writer:

John Logan

Stars:

Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale

Won 5 Oscars. Another 81 wins & 130 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Howard Hughes
Cate Blanchett	...	Katharine Hepburn
Kate Beckinsale	...	Ava Gardner
John C. Reilly	...	Noah Dietrich
Alec Baldwin	...	Juan Trippe
Alan Alda	...	Senator Ralph Owen Brewster
Ian Holm	...	Professor Fitz
Danny Huston	...	Jack Frye
Gwen Stefani	...	Jean Harlow
Jude Law	...	Errol Flynn
Adam Scott	...	Johnny Meyer
Matt Ross	...	Glenn Odekirk
Kelli Garner	...	Faith Domergue
Frances Conroy	...	Mrs. Hepburn
Brent Spiner	...	Robert Gross

Storyline

Biopic of billionaire Howard Hughes, starting with his early filmmaking years as owner of R.K.O. Pictures, but mostly focusing on his role in designing and promoting new aircraft. Hughes was a risk-taker spending several fortunes on designing experimental aircraft and eventually founding TWA as a rival to Pan Am airlines owned by his great rival Juan Trippe. When Trippe's politico Senator Ralph Owen Brewster accuses Hughes of being a war profiteer, it's Hughes who gains the upper hand. Hughes also had many women in his life including a long relationship with Katharine Hepburn. From an early age, however, Hughes was also germophobic and would have severe bouts of mental illness.

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Plot Keywords:

test flight | obsessive compulsive disorder | film producer | howard hughes character | aviator | 

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Taglines:

For some men, the sky was the limit. For him, it was just the beginning.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, nudity, language and a crash sequence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Aviator

Filming Locations:

Bullocks Wilshire, 3050 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$110,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$858,021, 19 December 2004

Gross USA:

$102,610,330

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$213,719,942

Company Credits

Production Co:

Forward Pass, Appian Way, IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. 3. Produktions KG

Technical Specs

Runtime:

170 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anne V. Coates: Appeared as one of Howard Hughes' Editors, putting together the initial cut of Hell's Angels (1930).

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Goofs

In the H-1 run, Howard Hughes wears a fedora. As the newsreel account of the ensuing crash showed, he actually wore a skull cap and goggles.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Allene Hughes: Q-u-a-r-a-n-t-i-n-e.
Young Howard Hughes: Quarantine. Q-u-a-r-a-n-t-i-n-e. Quarantine.

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Crazy Credits

The Miramax Films logo is also shown in 2-color Technicolor at the beginning of the movie, but before the Warner Bros. Pictures logo.

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Connections

Featured in Great Movie Mistakes 2: The Sequel (2011)

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Soundtracks

Bugle Call Rag
(1923)
(Benny Goodman version 1938)
Music and Lyrics by Billy Meyers, Jack Pettis, and Elmer Schoebel
Performed by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label, a unit of BMG
Under License from BMG Film & Television Music

User Reviews

For once the hype is accurate! A must see!

Leonardo Dicaprio, once again, shows his depth as an artist and his ability to carry a film. He deserves the Golden Globe, and his due as an outstanding actor. Howard Hughes, the man, remains a mystery and the portrayal of his obsessive compulsive disorder was a powerful view into his inner hell. The beginning scene set the pace for a journey into his privileged and dark world. The Aviator showed the torments and gifts of genius. Amazing job by all involved! Wardrobe, music, special effects, direction, acting...all award winning contributions. I left the film moved and disturbed, which shows the power of this film. Wonderful performances by all the cast and the time"flew" by...