It could be argued that First World War, rather than the Second, represented the defining moment of British 20th Century history. As such, the bloody and traumatic conflict reflected on British popular culture. One example was long-running and popular series of young adult adventure novels showing the exploits of Lieutenant James “Biggles” Bigglesworth, heroic fighter pilot. The author, W. E. Johns, was himself war veteran and former fighter pilot, and he proved to be quite prolific, writing almost hundred novels before his death, the last describing Biggles’ adventures during early decades of Cold War. Despite its popularity, there was relatively little enthusiasm among British film and television producers for screen adaptation until 1986 and production of Biggles (also titled Biggles: Adventures in Time), one of the most unusual films of its era.
The plot begins in 1980s New York City, where young advertising executive Jim Ferguson (played by Alex Hyde-White) gets late night visit by strange-looking British man (played by Peter Cushing) who introduces himself as Air Commodore William Raymond. He asks Ferguson whether he experienced anything unusual and Ferguson, after telling that he did not, tells him to leave. Soon afterwards Ferguson inexplicably finds himself in a strange field where he rescues pilot named James “Biggles” Bigglesworth (played by Neil Dickson) from the wrecked biplane. He is soon afterwards brought back to New York. When such incidents continue, Ferguson begin seeking Raymond in London in search of explanation. It turns out that there is some sort of “hole in time” that makes Ferguson travel to 1917 France. He and Biggles are “time twins”, destined to help each other in mortal danger. And Biggles has plenty of situation in which he could be in danger, because, as top pilot of British Royal Flying Corps, he is tasked of locating and destroying secret German sound weapon which could help Imperial Germany win First World War and alter history.
Biggles’ fans were infuriated by two major creative decisions by scriptwriters John Groves and Kent Walvin. First was use of time travel in the plot, which is something that never appeared in Johns’ books. Another was turning Ferguson into true protagonist instead of Biggles, and also making him American, in an obvious attempt to improve film’s chances at US box office. For audience unfamiliar with film’s literary source, all that actually makes film more entertaining, adding a lot of humour based on culture and generational clash into what could have been rather grim story about carnage in the trenches of 1910s Western Front. Director John Hough does more than adequate job, especially considering relatively low budget at his disposal. While the special effects showing time travel look obviously dated, film features an impressive stunt work, plenty of good action scenes and replicas of WW1 era fighter biplanes look convincing. The worst aspect of film for history buffs is German soldiers using British Lee Enfield rifles instead of Mauser 98s. Acting is surprisingly good, with Alex Hyde-White working both as de facto protagonist and comic relief, while Neil Dickson looks and acts the part of dashing and courageous hero typical for early 20th Century. Fiona Hutchinson is good in somewhat thankless role of Ferguson’s long-suffering girlfriend, while William Hootkins provides additional comic relief as Ferguson’s corporate rival. Biggles is also known as the last film in the career of great British actor Peter Cushing who gives more than solid performance as the character who not only gives important exposition and also serves as living bridge between two eras. Generally good impression gets almost completely ruined by terrible synthesiser soundtrack by Stanislas that is heavily used in the most inconvenient times. However, even with that, Biggles can provide entertainment to the audience with lowered expectations.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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