This documentary traces man's attempts to fly from ancient times through the 1930s.This documentary traces man's attempts to fly from ancient times through the 1930s.This documentary traces man's attempts to fly from ancient times through the 1930s.
Photos
Charles Lefeaux
- Louis Bleriot
- (as Charles Lefaux)
Charles Frend
- Narrator
- (voice)
Edward Ashley
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
Italo Balbo
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Memo Benassi
- Francesco Lama di Brescia
- (uncredited)
Denville Bond
- Oliver of Malmesbury
- (uncredited)
Tom Campbell Black
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Charles Carrett
- Latham's manager
- (uncredited)
Andrea Checchi
- Zoroastro
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTheatrical movie debut of Alan Wheatley (Borelli).
- GoofsLilenthal is still breathing when he is discovered 'dead' by his assistant.
- Quotes
Vincent Lunardi: In a few years, the sky will be filled with balloons!
- Alternate versionsThe version shown on Turner Classic Movies is the updated one from 1940, as it includes footage of the Hindenburg disaster of 1937.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Round the Film Studios: No. 2 Denham Part 5 (1937)
Featured review
A real mixed bag...
NOTE: While the release date on IMDb says it's 1936, there is a problem with this date. The film version I saw went up to 1938. Perhaps more material was added and I watched a re-release. Or, what's more likely is that the 1936 date is an error.
"Conquest of the Air" is a strange film in that there is a lot to admire and a lot to dislike. On the plus side, it's a nice and rather comprehensive review of the history of flight--with a strong emphasis on the botched attempts to fly from the middle ages up to about 1800. There also is a nice bit about ballooning and dirigibles. So, historically speaking, it's a nice educational overview. HOWEVER, while I admire the film in recreating so many nice tableaux, the narration is dreadfully boring and the film often comes off as an awful educational film--the sort they used to bore kids with in the good old days. Surely this could have been made in a more interesting fashion--this coming from a guy who LOVES airplanes and historical films. In addition, there were some curious omissions--such as the deaths of many of the famous people (such as Wilbur Wright during one of his flights). Worth seeing if you adore planes and balloons but not for the easily bored.
By the way, I think if the film had featured less aviators and spent more time on the most important the overall film would have been more interesting and far less episodic.
"Conquest of the Air" is a strange film in that there is a lot to admire and a lot to dislike. On the plus side, it's a nice and rather comprehensive review of the history of flight--with a strong emphasis on the botched attempts to fly from the middle ages up to about 1800. There also is a nice bit about ballooning and dirigibles. So, historically speaking, it's a nice educational overview. HOWEVER, while I admire the film in recreating so many nice tableaux, the narration is dreadfully boring and the film often comes off as an awful educational film--the sort they used to bore kids with in the good old days. Surely this could have been made in a more interesting fashion--this coming from a guy who LOVES airplanes and historical films. In addition, there were some curious omissions--such as the deaths of many of the famous people (such as Wilbur Wright during one of his flights). Worth seeing if you adore planes and balloons but not for the easily bored.
By the way, I think if the film had featured less aviators and spent more time on the most important the overall film would have been more interesting and far less episodic.
helpful•75
- planktonrules
- Jun 2, 2011
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- La conquista dell'aria
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 11 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.20 : 1(original aspect ratio)
- 1.37 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was The Conquest of the Air (1931) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer