Biggles (film)

As early as 1968, and inspired by the success of films such as The Blue Max, it was planned to make a film based on W.E. Johns' books entitled Biggles Sweeps The Skies scripted by Chris Bryant to be filmed in Algeria and financed by Universal Pictures.[7] Pre-production work was completed, including building replica period aircraft. James Fox was tapped to play Biggles and even appeared in promotional material.[8] However, the film was cancelled due to budgetary and location problems.[9]

Peter James bought the rights to the Biggles stories in 1976 but the film remained in development hell for several years.[10] The film was produced by Yellowbill Films.

John Hough had already directed several movies for Hammer Films and Walt Disney Productions in the United States, and had had box office hits with Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry and Escape to Witch Mountain. He had read the Biggles books as a child and was available after a deal to direct a James Bond film fell through.[11] He was attracted by the unconventional story and signed to direct in November 1984.[12]

Early versions of the script were written by Michael Fallon and called for an adventure film in the mould of Raiders of the Lost Ark.[13] The original story would have been much more faithful to Johns' original novels. Some sources claim that during scriptwriting, however, Back to the Future was released and became a major hit, so the script was duly altered by Walwin and John Groves to follow this trend, in an attempt to capitalise on Back to the Future's popularity. However, Biggles had already completed filming by the date of Back to the Future's UK release date of December 1985.[14]

The film takes much liberty with the storyline of the original novels. In addition to the introduction of a science-fiction plot, Biggles is much older than in the books (where he is only a teenager in 1917), and the characters Ginger and Bertie feature although they don't join Biggles until much later in the book series. However, the presence of Biggles' friend Algy, adversary Erich von Stahlein and love interest Marie fits with the earlier books in the series.[15] The sound weapon appears to be based on a real life sonic device that the Nazis were working on during the Second World War. It used a reflector to transmit high energy sound waves.[16]

Principal photography took place over six weeks between January and March 1985.[17] Before Neil Dickson was cast, Dudley Moore and Jeremy Irons were considered to play Biggles. The film was both Dickson's and Hyde-White's first leading role in a motion picture.[18] It was also Fiona Hutchison's first movie role. She described her character Debbie as 'trapped and terrified.'[19] To play Biggles' rival von Stahlein, Marcus Gilbert researched German WWI fighter aces, especially Manfred von Richthofen. At one point, he can be seen wearing a Blue Max medallion.[20]

Veteran stuntman Gerry Crampton co-ordinated the action sequences and designed the stunts for the film,[21] while second unit director Terry Coles, who had done similar work on Battle of Britain was in charge of filming the aerial sequences.[22]

The film includes a scene where Biggles lands a helicopter (a Bell 206 JetRanger) on a flat wagon on a moving train. This was filmed on the Nene Valley Railway and was apparently the first time such a stunt had been attempted. Fifteen takes were needed before the director was satisfied that the sequence was finished. The helicopter was flown by renowned stunt pilot Marc Wolff.[23]

The Sopwith Pup which crashes near the start of the film was specially built by Skysport Engineering. The crash was unplanned and the scene was rewritten to work around this.[24]

The film was mostly shot in London and on various locations in the home counties.[25] Tower Bridge and the surrounding area was extensively used, including the Tower Hotel which doubled as the film crew's base of operations.[26] Some of the aerial sequences were shot near Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. The 1917 weapon testing ground scene was shot at the Beckton Gas Works, which a year later was used for scenes in Full Metal Jacket and had been the location for the pre title sequence in the 1981 Bond film For Your Eyes Only and the finale of the John Wayne actioner Brannigan.[27] The weapon itself was a custom made fibreglass dish mounted on a mobile crane. It was filmed at the former London Brick Company works near Brogborough in Bedfordshire, as were the trench scenes. The site is now a landfill and recycling centre owned by FCC Environment.[28][29] The exterior church scenes were all filmed at All Saints Church, Holdenby, and the courtyard scenes were filmed by the stable blocks of Holdenby House.[30]

Several aircraft were used in the film. These included a Stampe SV.4, which is flown by Biggles, and a Boeing Stearman, which is flown by his archrival, von Stalhein. Both these bi-planes are actually from the 1930s as flying and maintaining actual WWI aircraft was considered prohibitively expensive. The period aircraft seen on the background during ground scenes belonged to the Shuttleworth Collection. The Stampe was flown by Stuart Goldspink while the Stearman was piloted by former WWII bomber pilot John Jordan.[31] The Stampe was later seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.[32]

Jon Anderson – "Do You Want to Be a Hero?"
Jon Anderson – "Chocks Away"
Deep Purple – "Knocking at Your Back Door"
Mötley Crüe – "Knock 'Em Dead, Kid"
Queen - "Another One Bites The Dust"
The Immortals – "No Turning Back" Co-written by John Deacon in his second non-Queen recording. Deacon was asked by John Hough to compose a song for the film after meeting him shortly after Live Aid. The track was released as a single, and the accompanying music video also starred Peter Cushing in his very last on-screen appearance. The song failed to chart.[42]