The First of the Few

'It is the 20th century of the Christian era,

'but the dark menace of medieval tyranny has risen again in Germany

'and reached out over the face of Europe.

'Austria has gone.

'Czechoslovakia has been absorbed.

'Poland has been obliterated.

'Denmark is invaded.

'Norway is overrun.

'Holland falls.

'Belgium falls.

'France is invaded.

'France falls.'

-RADIO ANNOUNCER:

-'England's back is to the wall.'

'The army has struggled back from Dunkirk,

'having only courage to fight with.'

'Britain stands alone and isolated.'

'Here in America, we watch sympathetically.

'Can Britain weather the storm of invasion?'

'Many believe that great empire may go down to defeat.'

'This will be a fateful summer for the world.'

-LORD HAW-HAW:

-'Germany calling. Germany calling. Germany calling.

'The Fuhrer says, "I shall wipe out their towns and cities.

'"Britain is no longer an island.

'"She shall be a camp for my soldiers,

'"and I shall go to Buckingham Palace at the head of my army in August."

'Dr Goebbels says, "The hour is here."

'"England will be erased from history.

'"It will be over in a few weeks.

'"Never has a great empire found its end

'"in so crazy a melodrama, destitute of all greatness."'

'Field Marshal Goering declares,

'"The end of Britain is near.

'"In a few days, London will no longer be a town.

'"Over the desolation made by my beloved Luftwaffe,

'"German soldiers will power to history's greatest triumph.

'"We shall parade in Whitehall in August."'

CHURCHILL: 'What has happened in France makes no difference

'to British faith and purpose.

'We have become the sole champions now in arms

'to defend the world cause.

'We shall do our best to be worthy of that high honour.

'We shall defend our island,

'and with the British Empire around us,

'we shall fight on, unconquerable,

'until the curse of Hitler is lifted from the brows of men.'

"The fate of the British people is being staked on a last trump card -

"namely that the poor old-fashioned degenerate British Isles

"can defy our bombers, submarines and E-boats,

"because Britain, in spite of all, is an island.

"The destruction of this illusion is about to be undertaken."

Raid 4, 8,000ft, 50 aircraft.

Raid 5, 7,000ft, 40 aircraft.

Raid 13, 20,000ft, 12 aircraft.

Raid 16, 10,000ft, 50 aircraft.

Raid 48, 11,000ft, 100-plus.

They're coming straight for us.

Attention, please. Attention, please.

Attack alarm. Enemy aircraft approaching from the southeast.

All personnel not servicing aircraft, take cover.

All personnel not servicing aircraft, take cover.

-EXPLOSION Come on, children, battle bowlers.

-'Look Out calling.

-'Enemy planes overhead.'

-Sir.

-Oh.

EXPLOSION

227 have only been down ten minutes, sir. Yes, C Field.

-Hello, Bunny. How did you get on?

-I got an 88 and had a crack at a Dornier.

See that, Jock? Absolutely head on. I bet that shook 'em.

Bet it shook you too.

-Hello, Mark. Have any luck?

-A 110 which went down in flames and blew up.

Lucky I finished him off for you.

-You finished him off?! I like that!

-Oh, OK, I'll let you have a half.

-Well, what's your story?

-A wing came off my Heinkel.

-Your Heinkel?!

-All right, our Heinkel.

-Anybody seen the CO?

-He hasn't arrived yet, sir.

-Is anybody else not here?

I think I saw Red two go down.

No, it was my Red 3. One in the petrol tank.

Here's the CO coming in now.

ENGINE FALTERS

There's something wrong. He hasn't got his flaps down.

CRASH

Are you all right? Are you all right?

Come on, hurry up.

ALARM BELL RINGS

Here, you are hurt, you mutt.

I'll be all right, sir.

-You get in there.

-I want an aeroplane, not an ambulance.

There are hundreds of them.

One moment, sir. How long have 654 been down?

-Half an hour, sir.

-654 have only been down half an hour, sir.

'They'll have to go up again.'

'Squadron, scramble.

'Squadron, scramble.'

-There they go. Usual flap.

-Good luck to them, they'll need it.

You don't know you're tired until you sit down.

Here comes the Station Commander. What's up now?

-Don't get up, please.

-Was the CO hurt, sir?

-He's done something to his ankle.

-I hear you had a good bag.

-Yes, six, sir.

-Six? That makes 20 so far.

-Quite a picnic, sir.

-I should think for the Bosch, too.

-Where's Titch?

-He went into the drink, sir.

-He can swim, can't he?

-Yes. He showed that at Brighton.

-I missed that little party.

Spitfires, chaps.

Can't see one without getting a kick out of it.

-Glad you like it, old boy.

-Can't help it. It's my line.

What? I thought you were a ruddy artist.

-That's exactly what I mean.

-I agree with Rembrandt. It is an artistic job.

-That's not surprising. It was designed by an artist.

-Do you mean, Mitchell, sir?

Yes. RJ Mitchell.

He was a wizard.

You're right, he was a wizard.

-He's a marvellous-looking bloke. He lives in Inverness.

-Oh, no, he's in Canada. MI5.

Absolute tripe! He works at Vickers.

-But surely Mitchell's dead.

-Anyway, he made the Spit. Invented it in two hours.

-What?!

-At a golf club. Didn't he, sir?

-No, I'm afraid he didn't.

It wasn't as easy as that.

Yes, a whole lot of things had to happen

before that miracle came to life.

'It all started quite a long time ago.

'It must have been...1922.

'Yes, it was 1922.'

Do you want the last sandwich?

-No, thanks.

-Why not?

-You put ants in them.

Oh...

What have you been up to?

Thinking.

-Great thoughts?

-Oh, terrific!

-Such as?

-Birds fly a lot better than we do.

-You don't say(!)

-I do. But they've been at it millions of years.

We've got to learn from them to fly properly.

Faster. Always faster.

The world gets smaller and places closer,

and people halfway across the earth not strangers but neighbours.

Not strangers, but neighbours.

I like that.

Here, you take a look at them.

See how they wheel and bank and glide.

Perfect.

And all in one - wings, body, tail - all in one.

We build things all stuck together with strings and struts and wires.

But you wait...

Someday I'm going to build a plane that'll be just like a bird.

Why, it is like a bird!

What a strange-looking machine. What's this?

"Supermarine Aviation... the pleasure of the company

"of Mr and Mrs RJ Mitchell for lunch."

Darling, you didn't tell me.

WHISTLES NONCHALANTLY

You didn't want to go, did you?

Well?

There was some talk about my having to make a speech.

You silly darling.

I hate speeches, don't you?

-ALL:

-Speech! Speech!

Now you've asked for it, you've only yourselves to blame.

If this astonishing seaplane that you chaps have built

manages to stay in the air,

it will today have the honour of representing Britain

in the Schneider Trophy contest of 1922.

APPLAUSE

A contest which is the greatest

international sporting event in the world.

-ALL:

-Hear! Hear!

Last year, the race was won by our Italian friends.

APPLAUSE

If they win it a third time, it will be theirs for keeps,

and that we don't intend to allow.

Garibaldi shall not take the biscuit!

LAUGHTER

And now let's drink to the chaps

who are representing Supermarine in Naples today.

ALL TOAST

Darling, do hurry. We'll be late for the announcement of the race.

I wonder if they would let me build my plane.

Why not ask them? Today.

I will. If we win today, I will.

I must!

HONKS HORN

I can now put you all out of your misery.

Ladies and gentlemen,

our plane has won the Schneider Trophy race in record time.

WILD CHEERING

Darling, does that mean we've won?

That's what it means, yes. Come on.

Go and talk to Commander Bride.

-What now?

-Mm. While he's in the mood.

-After all, we've won the race.

-Yes.

It's wonderful! Anything might happen. It's your chance.

Why not?

-(Why not?)

-Yes, why not?

-Good luck.

-Three cheers for Commander Bride!

-ALL:

-Hooray!

-Hooray!

-Well done, Mr Mitchell.

You missed all the fun, sir.

-Congratulations, Mr Mitchell.

-Thank you.

-Congratulations, Mitchell.

-We looked for you everywhere.

I've been busy, Mr Higgins.

Well, we've done it.

-Yes. What was the speed?

-145mph.

-It opens up big possibilities.

-Yes, I was hoping that...

Good luck, gentlemen!

We want to talk to you about it.

-Good. I was hoping...

-We're impressed with your work.

-I'm so glad...

-You have a flair for design.

As a matter of fact, I'd like to show you...

But you lack experience.

We can easily get over that.

-Now for next year, gentlemen.

-We're putting you in the assembly shop.

-The assembly shop?!

-That's the place to get experience.

Mac, why aren't these boys drinking?

-There are drinks for everybody.

-Mr Higgins, I've been in the...

Come on, Mitchell, have a drink.

Well?

The assembly shop for a couple of years.

Oh.

How about having a drink with the boys?

Yes, let's.

'And that, for the moment,

'was the end of Mitchell's strange ideas.'

'Another year went by and Mitchell was back at the drawing board.

'Still designing the same old flying boats,

'still dreaming of the future.

'It was about this time

'that a rather disturbing influence entered Mitchell's life.'

Mr Mitchell?

I beg your pardon?

-Mr Mitchell?

-Have you an appointment?

-No.

-Then I'm afraid you can't see him.

BEGINS TYPING

Marvellous, the way you handle that thing. Never a wrong note.

I have one myself, only I play by ear.

-PING

-Shop!

I can't have you sitting round chattering. I'm busy.

You must write to see Mr Mitchell. Good morning.

-Now, look here...

-Can you do something for me?

Just whisper one word in Mitch's ear.

"Crisp".

-Crisp?

-Just "crisp". Then watch his face. It'll surprise him.

Excuse me, Mr Mitchell.

Does the word "crisp" mean anything to you?

Crisp.

WHISTLES NONCHALANTLY

-Well?

-No reaction.

-None at all?

-None at all.

I suppose I'd better push off.

Good morning.

At last! Got it! Two copies, please.

Who are you?

Well, as a matter of fact, I...

-Is there anything I can do for you?

-I want a job.

-What kind of a job?

-Anything. I'll do anything.

Haven't I seen you somewhere before?

-Crisp.

-Not Crisp?!

Good heavens, you're Crisp!

Have you been waiting to see me?

Why didn't you tell me?

Come on in, Crisp, old man.

(Crisp.)

This is my friend Mr Crisp. Mr Jordan, Mr Reynolds.

-We were at school together. You look different.

-You don't.

-Are you designing aeroplanes?

-Trying to. What have you been doing?

Lots of things. Do a bit of flying.

-Have a cigarette.

-No, thank you.

Flying in the war, I suppose?

-Yes. I just got in the tail end.

-Did you?

Lucky man they didn't bump you off.

They did their best. It was good fun.

I'm glad you liked it.

But then they had no use for us, so it all broke up.

-Axed, eh?

-That sounded better than the sack.

I got a job as test pilot, until there weren't any planes to test,

then I tested bicycles.

-After that I travelled in soap.

-Soap.

You'd be surprised how many people who don't use it. I was.

Then I tried garages, but I was one of thousands.

Used to meet some of my old flying boys after the same jobs.

Mm, I know. Not very nice.

No. Well, I...I'm still trying.

I hope you don't mind.

Mind? Good heavens, no.

-Test pilot, eh?

-Then I came breezing in here, feeling pretty cheap,

and that female snapdragon tried to bite me.

-Tried to bite you?!

-She took a snap, then she rang a bell.

-No?

-Did.

-Really, Miss Harper, I'm surprised.

Thank you.

Mrs Mitchell rang to ask if you'd be working late or going home.

Home, and bringing someone. You.

-Me?

-Yes, you're coming to dinner.

Oh, Mitch, that's grand!

-Oh, there's one thing...

-Mm-hmm?

-I'm supposed to be taking out a girl.

-Fine, bring her along too.

-Bring her along?

-Yes, we'd be delighted to see her. Delighted.

As I always say, a smile a day keeps the doctor away.

So when Geoffrey smiled at me, what was I to do?

Mind you, I don't usually smile back,

but Geoffrey's different.

-Oh, I'm not, I...

-He's got such a nice, clean face.

-I haven't really, you know...

-Oh, yes, you have.

-Don't talk so much.

-COUGHS

Well, would anyone like a drink?

-Oh, that's a good idea.

-DOG YAPS

-What do you call your little dogs?

-He's Napoleon and she's Josephine.

Lovely. CLICKS FINGERS

Excuse me.

Now, come on, Mitch. I can't wait to hear about your seaplane.

And I can't wait to tell you about it.

I believe I've discovered the secret of real flying.

The secret of the birds.

Oh, I'm not the first to believe that, but I'm certain I've got it.

Yes, go on.

What I've conceived is something entirely different.

Something without struts and wires at all,

because the wings are part of the essential structure.

One single complete span.

See what I mean?

Look here.

This is what we have today.

Latest 1924 design.

Now, here's what I'm after.

The wings...

The body...

And that's all.

Except the legs, with wheels or floats as the case may be.

You see, all in one piece.

-I thought I knew about aeroplanes, but...

-What?

It's revolutionary, all right.

The problem with a racing plane is space.

You've got to build it around the man.

I got the man in but I didn't know where I was going to put the petrol.

Where will you put it?

-In the floats.

-In the floats?

-The engine's fed by a force feed.

-You can't do that?

-Why not?

-Who ever heard of doing that?

-No-one. But they're going to.

I'll get rid of the front radiator. A new cooling system.

I'll take it under the underside of the wings.

So the rush of air cools it.

If it's that simple, why hasn't somebody else thought of it?

Somebody has.

Me.

Oh, well, I don't suppose anything will come of it.

If it did, I doubt anybody would want to fly it.

-I would.

-Would you?

-Try anything once.

-Would you really? It's a bargain.

If it flies, you fly in it. There's you.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

Mustn't think too much.

As my husband always says, "He who flies and flies away lives to fly another day."

-Who said that?

-My husband.

-Didn't you know I was married?

-No. Congratulations.

Thank you. Oh, drinks.

Commander Bride's just phoned.

There's a board meeting tomorrow at 10:30. He wants you to be there.

-He wants me to be there? Does that mean another Schneider entry?

-It might.

They probably want to see my drawings. I believe it is.

-I bet it is.

-I bet it is, too.

-If it's built, you fly it.

-That's a date.

-A job at last.

-Come here.

Take a look at these.

It's terrific.

Mitch, this is the future.

That's no good!

That isn't what we want.

What we're asking for is an aeroplane. Like this.

There's a tried and proved design,

even though it lost last year.

But this thing...

this...

it looks just like a damn bird with boots on!

Birds are rather good at flying.

It's not your job to make them.

You'll come an almighty cropper if you try

and you won't be the only one either.

It's great to know you've got a job.

They'll be crazy about that plane.

You see, it's too revolutionary,

besides the cost of the thing.

We shall want new machinery.

We're being asked to risk our last penny and more.

Flying in the face of providence.

I quite agree.

You mustn't feel that we don't recognise your ability.

Extraordinary ability. I'd put it even higher.

I'd say...genius if it wouldn't make us feel uncomfortable.

No Englishman likes to be called that.

Dreadful word, isn't it?

We do know something of our job.

We want a plane like the Sea Lion, only better,

and you can give it to us.

-I can give you a plane to win.

-Ah, now you're talking.

But it must be my own.

You mean if you can't have it your way, you won't do it all?

I can give you a plane to win.

If you haven't the faith to let me do what I believe I can,

I won't undertake what I know I can't.

That's a bit hasty. Coming to such a decision in two minutes.

Two minutes? Two years hard work.

Quite. And now you're disappointed at not getting your own way.

It's not a question of that.

It's the way I've gone for two years,

and now it is my way, inevitably.

It's a question of whether you come with me.

That's high-handed, I must say.

After all, there are other aircraft designers.

I quite appreciate that.

Of course, it can be remedied.

-You mean you'll resign?

-That's what I mean, yes.

-Well, in that case...

-In that case, there's nothing more to be said.

Excuse me. Thank you.

My I trouble you, Mr Sinclair?

That job didn't last very long, did it?

Well, gentlemen, as managing director, I must congratulate you,

on having lost us the best designer in the country.

-Hello, Mitch.

-Oh, hello, Geoff. Well, what a nice surprise.

Hello, darling.

Sorry I'm late. Got held up in town.

-Ah, tea.

-Is it hot in London?

-Oh, it's awful.

Thanks.

Any luck?

-No, I'm afraid not.

-Not even Brown?

No. Nor Wilcox, nor any of the bigger people.

Oh, they are a lot of halfwits!

Let's forget about them, for tonight anyway.

-Do you eat Irish stew?

-I'll eat anything.

-Just as well.

Any news from Wimbledon?

I haven't seen a paper. I believe Bill Tilden's cleaning up as usual.

Gosh, it's a nice place you've got here.

Yes. It could have been.

Oh, cheer up, Mitch. You did the right thing.

If you don't mind, I'll string along with you just the same.

We can lick the whole world.

You're the brains, I'm the hands.

You're taking an awful gamble, Geoff.

I can't even keep my own job.

Don't worry about me, I'm used to it.

It's harder for you, though, and for Diana.

Yes.

-I think I ought to talk to her.

-Yes.

-You stay here.

Hello, old boy.

CHILD GURGLES

I say, Geoff, Geoff.

-He said something extraordinary.

-Did he?

-Do you understand their language?

-Yes, it's easy.

Listen, listen...

Would you say it again, please?

Does he want food?

No, he asked you to change his trousers.

Oh, yes. Come here, old boy.

That's right. There we are.

Hang on to him. I must go and see Diana.

-Can I help?

-Yes, you can chop the parsley.

Good.

-Did you show them your drawings?

-Mm-hm.

Did they look at them?

Just. They winced. It seemed to hurt them.

Then they got rid of me as quickly as possible.

Don't be impatient, darling. Someone will look at them.

There's no-one else to show them to, I'm afraid.

What's burning?

Gosh, it's the stew.

You know, Diana, I was a very fine fellow at that board meeting.

You'd have been proud of me.

"My dear sir, it's a question of whether you're coming with me.

"I can give you a plane to win, but it must be my own."

It doesn't sound so good a week after.

I'm still glad you said it anyway.

Are you? I'm afraid we're now in the same boat as Geoff Crisp.

Among the great unemployed.

You're supposed to be employed on that parsley.

It's not very lucrative.

How about the rent, and you, and the baby?

Oh, he's all right.

Oh, he's all right. Grows two inches a week.

You'll get another job, even if it isn't with aeroplanes.

Yes...

Yes, I think I'll ring up Bride

and ask him if they'll take me back.

Not because of me or the boy!

We can hold out for years.

It's nothing to do with you at all, really.

When I think of getting another job not to do with aeroplanes...

I feel as if I were giving up something I was meant to do,

if that means anything.

But I do feel it very strongly.

Almost as if I... were doing something wrong.

That's a silly thing to say.

I wouldn't say it to anybody but you.

Oh.

Commandant something-or-other wants to talk to you on the phone.

Do you mean Commander Bride?

Well, I wouldn't know.

With my rheumatism, I can't hear like I used to.

Hello. Commander Bride?

Yes, Mitchell speaking.

Yes. As a matter of fact, I'd rather like...

-(Don't you dare!)

-(I haven't said anything.)

Hm? I didn't hear anything.

Yes. When?

Yes, I think I can manage it.

Yes. Righto.

Good night. G-Goodbye.

-He'll be here tomorrow morning.

-I still say it won't fly.

I think it's sheer madness.

-I agree. I agree entirely.

-It'll do us good to go mad once in a while.

We're going to build this aeroplane.

'What a commercial proposition.

'You've only got to look at the thing.

'I still say it won't fly.'

'Look out, America, here we come!'

'We will now see how the American team will fare

'in this contest between Britain, Italy and America.

'Lieutenant Doolittle of the US Army is rounding the corner.

'You can just see him now.

'He's coming towards us.

'He's in a Curtis biplane with a 600hp engine.

'The Schneider Trophy now rests with the United States.

'America leads the world in developing aircraft.'

CHEERING

What a contest, folks, what a contest.

Jimmy Doolittle is flying at an incredible speed.

Oh, boy! Jimmy Doolittle and his Curtis biplane

has completed the lap at 210mph.

Say, that's gonna take some beating.

You're telling me!

'The next to take off is the English Supermarine monoplane,'

700hp, flown my Mr Geoffrey Crisp.

'This is the most controversial machine in the history of aviation.'

Here she comes. Taxiing out to the starting point.

'Ladies and gentlemen of the radio audience,

'this English entry is revolutionary.

'Looks like she was built in one piece.'

There she goes. She's up!

'And she's away!

'Skimming along with her throttle wide open.

'She's climbing now, slowly but surely.

'She looks good but can she take it?

'That was a beautiful takeoff.

'The monoplane is in the air now, coming this way.

'She's unlike any airplane we've ever seen.

'It's an unusual machine but he knows how to handle her.

'She's sure moving right along.'

She's flying as if she's meant for the sky and things like her had been in the air for centuries.

She's flying beautifully. Can you see here over there?

She is making a spectacular appearance.

Something's wrong. He's in trouble.

He's fluttering! Pick it up, fella!

Geoff!

It wasn't the plane's fault, Mitch.

It was me. Something happened at the turn, everything went black.

Don't worry about that, Geoff.

They'll build it again, won't they?

Of course they will. Don't even think about it.

I'm sorry, Mr Mitchell, but your time's up.

Right. Well, cheerio, Geoff.

-I'll be seeing you.

-So long, Mitch.

Who are you?

-I've taken over from Sister Ginsberg.

-What's your name, Sister?

-Nurse Kennedy.

-Telephone number?

Under the tongue, please.

I must ask you to go now, Mr Mitchell.

Yes. Cheerio, old boy.

-I'm being thrown out.

-We must try and keep him quiet.

Yes, that's going to be quite a problem, isn't it?

You're telling me!

Take good care of him, he's rather valuable.

Don't worry, Mitch.

Something tells me I'll recover quickly.

'It looked as though Mitchell's revolutionary career

'had crashed with his curious machine, but it hadn't.'

'His weird ideas were catching on.

'He was given one more chance.

'In 1927, a British team was sent to Venice.

'The Royal Air Force took a hand in it.

'The High Speed Flight was formed.

'That was how I got back into this racket.'

In the name of our great Duce,

I bid you welcome to this inspiring city of Venice.

Silenzio, everybody!

Here is a telegram for the Duce. It is in English in your honour.

-Thank you.

-"Welcome to our English friends."

-ITALIANS:

-Bravo! Bravo!

"The sky of Venice will see the epic duel."

-ITALIANS:

-Bene! Molto bene!

"The victory of the Italian pilots

"will see the dawn of the new Fascist empire. Mussolini."

APPLAUSE

We have a saying in Italy -

Il Duce ha sempre ragione. The Duce is always right.

When he's so confident, that means we cannot lose.

Welcome.

-We'll have to try and do something about that.

-What?

-I'll show you my telegram sometime.

-Oh, later on. We are going to have a wonderful luncheon!

CHEERFUL HUBBUB

-What's happened to Geoff?

-He was here a moment ago.

Excuse me. Are you any relation to the Mona Lisa?

-No parlez Anglais.

-Thank you so much.

-Some flowers.

-Grazie.

-Dinner tonight? Dinner?

-Please?

-We'll have a gondola and a moon.

-Geoff?

-A wonderful moon.

-Geoff!

-Can't you see...? What do you want?

The race is on the 14th.

Look, I've given up smoking and drinking.

The race is on the 14th and we've got to win it.

All right. Maybe you're right.

Oh, there you are.

After the race?

-Please?

-Yes, please.

-Geoff!

-Go away. It's nearly in the bag.

Whoa! Oh!

Hope the weather doesn't change.

It won't.

Don't worry, darling.

-I'm not worrying.

-You're very nervous.

Don't be silly. I'm not a bit nervous.

Come here.

When are we going to see the Palace of the Doges?

I'm so sorry about that.

After the race. After tomorrow.

-Everything hangs on that, doesn't it?

-Everything.

Oh, it'll be all right. You go to sleep.

You come to sleep.

PHONE RINGS

Hello.

Yes. Yes, Mac?

A what?

White metal?

Where, in the filter?

Oh, good heavens.

All right. I'll be right over.

Yes, at once.

But, darling, it's after midnight!

I daren't leave it. I simply daren't.

God bless.

Two more minutes and the motor would have been wrecked.

-What do we do?

-We're not allowed a new engine.

We'll have to fit a new piston and cylinder block.

-What, a complete new block?

-Yes.

It's impossible.

We're going to stay in this race. How long have we got?

Seven hours.

Think we can make it, Bob?

-Well, we can but try.

-Come on, then, let's try.

-Right.

Mitch. Cup of tea. Come and wet your whistle.

Ah, that's a blessing.

Well, I think we're all right now.

-Yeah, I think so.

-Cheerio, Mac.

Morning.

Ah, good morning. Your pilots here yet?

They're just coming. How's the old crate?

Fine. A bit of trouble,

but nothing to worry about.

-The weather seems all right.

-Glorious. Perfect breeze.

What's the order of flying?

Let's see. First is Poprendini...

Williamson,

Capelli, Smythe-Robinson, Supermarine,

Molinari, Delsati, and finally Crisp in the S5.

I'm glad Crisp comes after Delsati.

-We'll be able to see what's happening.

-Morning, sir. Morning, Mitch.

Hello. Have a good night?

-On the quiet side, but I feel all right.

-Good.

Geoff, one last warning.

-I want you to keep the running-up speed to a minimum.

-Right.

Keep the water down to 95 against local boiling.

Don't exceed the permissible revs or you'll have trouble.

That's about all.

-Well, I think I'm all set.

-Let's whistle up the Italians.

Mitch, just between ourselves,

what do you really expect me to get out of her?

Well, between ourselves...285.

285?! Look, this is 1927 not 1977!

Let's make it 284.

All right, settle for 284.

CHEERING

PLANE OVERHEAD

Ecco il nuovo percorso!

It's a funny race, nobody seems able to complete the course.

Molinari will win. Here he comes.

Hold it.

-Take it easy.

-All right.

-All right forward?

-OK, Bob.

All right, lads.

This is Delsati. He's magnificent!

There goes Delsati!

You're next. Geoff...

take it easy round that first turn.

You've got a minute and a half.

Let her go, boys.

Good luck, Geoff, good luck.

Start her up!

He's off!

Are we going to win, darling?

We must. Absolutely must.

Here comes Delsati!

I make it over 260.

CHEERING

Come on, come on!

GROANS

CHEERING

Darling, we've won!

I cannot understand it. The Duce said we win.

It must be the beginning of the end.

Here he comes!

Well done, Crisp! Well done!

-What happened?

-You've won the match.

-No! Hooray!

-What speed?

-281.5

I promised Mitch I'd do 284. Sorry, Mitch.

WILD CHEERING

Silenzio! Silenzio, everybody.

There is a telegram from the Duce.

"Convey my sincere congratulations to everybody.

"The victory of the British pilots

"was only possible in our glorious Italian sky. Mussolini."

-So that was why.

-Did I tell you the Duce's always right?

Il Duce ha sempre ragione!

CHEERING

Silenzio! We shall be photographed together.

Signori fotografi, avanti.

Attenti, tutti.

Ancora una.

'So we all went home feeling pretty good

'and believing that man couldn't fly any faster. 281mph!

'But Mitchell wasn't satisfied.

'And soon after, he was all out trying to beat his own record.

'The plane was hotted up, everything seemed perfect,

'except perhaps the weather,

'but Kinkead didn't mind about that.

'Poor old Kinkead.

'I expect you've heard about Kinkead.'

Poor old Kinkead.

How dare I go on with it?

Calling it a life's work, and all it does is destroy life.

Now, shut up. Don't talk like that.

I'm no prophet, but I know you hold a tremendous future in your hands.

Something for England, the whole world maybe,

and you can't stop, whatever the cost.

Nobody's going to stop us flying.

We're going to go on, faster and faster,

and we want you, we need you with us.

We haven't reached the limit and you know it.

Yes, I know it. The sky's the limit.

Can you get any more out of the S5?

No, that plane's finished.

We forced it beyond its limit.

I'll need a new design and a new engine.

That's more like it.

That's going to need money. Where's it coming from?

I've got an idea which will cost us half a million pounds.

We've got to look into the future of aviation.

Where it'll be ten years from now. 20 years from now.

Who's going to tell us that?

There is a man. One man.

-In England?

-Yes. A fellow called Mitchell.

Mitchell? We can't get him. He belongs to Supermarine.

Ah, but we could buy Supermarine.

Buy them? It would cost us...

Half a million pounds, and it would be worth it for that one man.

Oh, hello, Mitchell. This is Ian McLaren of Vickers Aviation.

How do you do?

We wanted to tell you that Vickers are taking over the firm.

Taking it over? Why?

Why?

My dear fellow, they're a progressive concern.

And I think I may say that our seaplanes...

Are the best.

I might add that that is not our only reason.

Our main interest in aviation is in its future

-and we understand that yours is too.

-Yes?

We're in the position of being able to offer you

practically unlimited facilities,

and you're the man that can make good use of them.

I should like to have a long session with you some time.

I am designing a new machine and I want a new engine.

One with certain requirements.

Half a second, Mitch. You can't talk like that.

You can't say to Vickers,

"Here's my design and I want this engine."

Isn't that why they're buying us?

It's rather the other way about.

You find out what sort of engines Ian proposes to give you

and modify your design accordingly.

But it can't be done like that.

-It must be done like that.

-Why?

Why? Because...

Because it's always been done like that.

It won't be in the future. Don't you agree?

As a matter of fact, I do.

but I must ask you to believe that we're not exactly beginners.

Hm. I'll grant you that.

I'm very glad we understand one another.

So am I.

Well, excuse me.

I was in the middle of a job.

-Goodbye.

-Goodbye.

-CHUCKLES

-I thought you said Mr Mitchell was shy.

Some people would call him pig-headed.

I like him. He knows what he wants and I'll see he gets it.

'Mitchell got a new lease of life with a vengeance.

'The Supermarine S6 was so far ahead of its time,

'that it swept all before it.

'At a speed of 328mph, we again won the Schneider Trophy.'

-I wonder if it'll ever be ours.

-Course it will.

Congratulations, Mr Mitchell.

Why do they call it the Schneider Cup?

I haven't the vaguest.

328mph. Not too bad, eh?

Isn't it beautiful? Wasn't it a wonderful race?

One more win and it's ours.

Hello, what's that?

What's going on?

Let's go and have a look.

Well, well, well. Have you found her?

I don't know who it's going to be yet.

Good luck.

"Down with the government.

"Wake up, England."

I wonder what it means?

What it says.

But it's coming from a yacht.

A very unusual yacht. Lady Houston's.

-Ah, there she is now.

-Who?

Lady Houston herself.

Good evening.

Good evening, Lady Houston.

-Squadron Leader, congratulations.

-Why, thank you.

I say what a crowd. What are they staring at?

It's that sign on your yacht, Lady Houston.

Doesn't seem popular, does it?

I don't mind it, but some people think it's rather offensive.

I meant it to be offensive. That's why I put it up.

You may laugh. I don't love the government but I do love my country.

That's more than I can say about some people.

Geoff, darling, how are you?

How are you?

Who are you?

Don't go away, I'll be right back.

Your drink, Miss Harper.

Oh, thank you so much.

Take care how many you drink. You might lose your nerve.

My dear Admiral, this is no place for me.

I'm going back to my yacht. I don't need any escort.

Hello. I've seen you before somewhere.

I wonder where that could have been.

-There it goes again, Aunt Kim.

-She's a scream. Painfully patriotic.

They say she sleeps covered with a Union Jack!

-SARCASTIC LAUGH

-Laugh, that's all they can do.

Nobody worries much about our country.

I'm doing my best to make them.

Yes, so I see.

They won't believe me, but I can see something.

I can see England in danger.

We've got to be strong on land and on sea.

And in the air.

Fiddlesticks! What can we do in the air except fly at ridiculous speeds?

It isn't natural. We're not birds.

You're not a fish but you have a yacht.

-That sounds rude.

-It wasn't intended to be.

Don't apologise, young man, please.

Everybody's rude these days.

I'm sick of this party. I'm off. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

I shall remember you, young man.

I shall remember you.

BIG BEN CHIMES

-There's more to it than winning a race.

-Quite.

We've pressed the Government.

Giving them the arguments,

the importance to aviation, prestige.

One more win and the trophy's ours.

It'll be a tragedy not to hold the race.

But it's going to cost £100,000.

Taxpayers' money. I doubt the taxpayers will stand for it.

That's the Government view. We shall know in a few minutes.

They don't realise the necessity of keeping the contest in this country.

Just going to ask the question.

Is the Government aware of the very serious effect

a withdrawal will have on our air position in the world

and the repercussions in our aircraft industry?

Is the Government aware that there are 3 million unemployed?

SHOUTING

"Is the Government aware there are 3 million unemployed?"

That was the next question.

You can imagine the answer.

Nothing doing?

No Schneider race?

No money.

So we have to give the whole thing up when it was almost in the bag.

That's about it.

Is this the Royal Aero Club?

It is. What do you want?

I want to see Squadron Leader Jefferson.

What's your business?

Oh, it's private.

What's your name?

You wouldn't know my name.

If you can't tell me your business, you can't see him.

Can't?

Mustn't say can't. No such word as can't.

Let's have a try.

Ahh...

You are Squadron Leader Jefferson, aren't you?

-I might be. Why?

-The leader of the Schneider Trophy team?

-This is the Schneider Trophy, isn't it?

-Mm. Pretty, isn't it?

-I didn't know we had it here.

-We won't have for long.

Is there anything else I can do for you?

Oh, no, I've got something for you.

A cheque for £100,000?

That's right, £100,000.

Don't drop it, it'll bounce really high.

"This is for the aeroplane race.

"Britain has to be strong on land, sea and in the air.

"Lucy Houston."

Houston? That one won't bounce.

"PS - remind the rude young man I said I should remember."

That's for you.

-You do want it, don't you?

-Er... Do we want...?

Are you sure there's nothing we can do for you?

Yes, come into the office.

-Like to take this away with you?

-No, no. No, thank you.

-What about a drink?

-Perhaps just a little one.

Oh, an enormous one!

'The speed was 340mph.

'The year was 1931.

'A triumph of a far-sighted individual

'over a near-sighted government.

'Lady Houston's gift was not wasted.

'The Schneider Trophy was Britain's for good.

'Nearly two years had passed, rather aimlessly perhaps,

'but that disturbing influence turned up again.'

Mitch.

Geoff! Haven't seen you for ages.

I only got back yesterday. On leave.

Why aren't you working?

What do you mean working? Look at all this.

Very professional but hardly your profession.

Don't Supermarine make aeroplanes now?

I expected an armful of new designs.

No, I'm taking things easy for the first time.

Doesn't seem to be much to go for.

You've had everything, what more could you want?

I don't know. I'm still wondering.

Must be something left to do, apart from gardening.

Yes, it doesn't make sense to me.

I'm going to have a closer look at you.

Come aboard, Admiral.

Well, how are you?

Oh, I see. You need a proper holiday.

Do I? Yes, I hadn't thought of that.

Diana!

I'm going next week. Come with me.

Why didn't you say so? Diana!

I say, look who's here.

-Hello, Geoff.

-Hello, Diana.

We're going on holiday.

-Where?

-Spain. Paris. There's a lot to be said for P...

-Germany.

-Why Germany?

-No women.

-There's 25 million women.

-Not my type.

-Where are we going?

We're going to Germany.

OOMPAH MUSIC

-Congratulations.

-Efficiency.

-Poetry, I call it.

-You English sentimentalise over everything.

You talk of poetry and make a lot of money.

Do we? I hadn't noticed it.

They all look very fit, these lads.

Yes, that's how we train them. Strength through joy.

Adolf Hitler, our new Chancellor, wishes it so.

-Don't you think it's wonderful?

-I think it's very inspiring.

-Are you a pilot?

-Not yet, but it's my ambition.

Well, good luck.

Excuse me, you in England also have gliding clubs?

We have, but they're not so well organised.

The English are always a little slow.

-Isn't it awful, everybody creeping about at 400mph?

-Huh?

Look, Geoff. Look, Diana.

That's what I call pure flying.

How would the Flight Lieutenant like to go up in one?

Without an engine? No, thanks. I'd be scared to death.

It's the best thing we can do. The Versailles Treaty doesn't permit Germany to build engines.

It does make it rather awkward.

Ah! Beer! Come.

-Here.

-Thank you.

Here.

Excuse me.

Achtung!

SPEAKS GERMAN

Achtung!

SPEAKS GERMAN

BAND STRIKES UP

Strength through joy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Mr Mitchell's name and work

are very known in our country.

And Mr Crisp, whom we already met in the Great War,

is a pilot of great distinction.

We of the Richthofen Club are proud to have them with us here today.

So we will drink the health of our honoured guests.

-ALL:

-Bravo! Bravo!

Unsere Gaste.

-Hooray!

-Thank you, Flight Lieutenant.

No charge.

Well, thank you very much.

My wife and Mr Crisp, they thank you too, don't you?

Yes, rather.

We're very happy to be in this famous club and in Germany.

We've seen a lot that's impressed us enormously.

Healthy well-organised youth,

peace-loving people and good company.

-We drink your health.

-Hear! Hear!

Now you must add your name to those other famous ones here -

Milch, Udet, Goering and now you, Mr Mitchell, please.

Rather lowering the standard, I think.

Mr Crisp, please.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to dance, orchestra is playing.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Doctor.

-Guten Abend.

-Guten Abend.

Mr Mitchell, now you must meet a competitor.

-Competitor?

-Yes. Dr Messerschmitt, Mr RJ Mitchell.

-Oh, I am honoured.

-Glad to meet you.

You enjoy your visit in Germany?

Very much indeed, yes.

Fine. A prophet has no honour in his own country.

It's not true in your case I hope!

I've no complaints. I'm not a prophet.

Like you, I'm just an aircraft designer.

But a very busy one.

Fairly busy. But now I'm on holiday.

If you like it here, perhaps you will stay.

We could find interesting things for you to do.

It's very good of you, but it's just a holiday.

If I can help you to see anything...

That's very kind. I've seen your glider club.

Gliders...? Oh, ja!

But they have their uses.

I think we're being watched.

Oberleutenant Von Grantz du Tornenspitz.

Sounds perfectly frightful.

My name. My card.

My wife.

My goodness.

What do you suggest we do now?

Nothing. Just take me back to him.

Oh, that seems rather a pity.

Doesn't it? Come on, British pilot, back to Germany.

It's rather like casting pearls before sauerkraut, but here goes.

Your wife...your card... my mistake.

Gliders revert to the principle of the bird.

I don't think they have much practical use,

but one can learn a lot about flying from them.

So we have found.

You don't really think it's only gliders we make?

I know you make commercial aircraft,

-but, er...

-Well, not only commercial aircraft.

Oh?

I thought, um... Well, what about the...?

Another cognac, Mr Mitchell?

You were going to say, "What about the Versailles Treaty?"

As a matter of fact, I was.

Forget it. Good luck.

We have forgotten it.

The Versailles Treaty is dead.

Oh, I see.

A least I...don't think I do.

It's quite simple, Mitch. Quite simple.

The Versailles Treaty's dead.

Gehen Sie nicht so weit, bitte.

It's history. And like history, it's all over.

History is only important while it's being made.

Quite a point of view about history!

You've met history. You win a race at 400mph.

Then it's not important. What's important is what you do now.

Right, Mitch. Or the year after.

Your victory was a landmark.

Yes, like the discovery of America, or in Europe, the Reformation.

That's very flattering of you.

But neither has the same importance as the coming of Adolf Hitler.

Adolf who?

Hitler.

Oh, Hitler?

That's very interesting, but it's just your point of view.

One day it will be yours, Mr Crisp.

Because here now, we are making history.

History's only important while it's being made.

I'm for history remaining how it is.

We are not. We've had enough of being underdogs.

Under the Leader, we shall be overlords.

I agree about not being underdogs.

But...overlords? That's a bit of a jump.

It's a jump we shall take.

Of course... only under extreme pressure.

Wait. Being an overlord means something else to being an underdog.

Suppose the next underdog doesn't like it either. What happens then?

There are three answers.

First, the Leader. Second, the German people united behind him.

Third, the guns in the hands of the German people.

Guns always have the last word.

A nation that forgets is finished.

If our Leader has the first word and our guns have the last word,

it doesn't matter what anyone says in between.

What happens if others have guns?

We shall have more.

-More guns, more tanks, more planes.

-Planes?

With engines, I suppose?

With engines. Goering will see to that.

It doesn't matter if he asks for 5,000, 10,000, 20,000. He will get them

SPEAKS GERMAN

Why do you stop at 20,000, old boy?

We will not stop.

And nobody will stop us. It will not take long.

One city can be erased in a few hours. Erased

-like that.

-But you must not be afraid, Mr Mitchell.

Thanks very much.

England is our friend. England is helping us.

LAUGHS

I think that is funny. Very funny.

The nice respectable people of England fear the communists.

They don't stop us to re-arm. Oh, no.

They help us. They lend us money. I think that is funny. Very funny.

-It isn't funny at all.

-SPEAKS GERMAN

ALL SPEAK GERMAN

You must forgive him. He doesn't mean any harm. He's had too much to drink.

DOOR OPENS, LAUGHTER

Darling, I'm having such fun. They're absolutely charming.

The silly blasted fools are going to start it all over again!

Come on, let's forget it!

We're here to enjoy ourselves!

I'm afraid not. We've got to get back tomorrow.

-I'm sorry I suggested coming.

-I'm not, I'm glad.

I've got a job to do now, a real job.

More important than anything, and more urgent.

"'Guns have the last word." We've got to get back and tell them.

"5,000 planes, 10,000, 20,000... Goering will see to that."

That's what they said, and look at us.

We'll be helpless against those bombers.

I know, my dear fellow, I know.

For months now we've tried to warn the Government of the danger.

But this is a democratic country.

The policy of the Government is the will of the people.

And the immense desire of every sane person is for peace.

We can't do anything.

We're an armament firm.

If we speak out, we're attacked on all sides.

Well, Mitchell... what do you propose?

To be ready to give the Nazis a dose of their own medicine.

Death and destruction.

I want to build a fighter, the fastest and deadliest ever.

Of course you do.

And so do I.

The only thing to do is hatch a conspiracy against the Government,

to make them raise money to provide a defence.

But I can't do anything without causing an outcry.

Any reason why I shouldn't?

None whatever.

It's a question of life or death for this country.

You mustn't blame the Treasury.

They're looking after the nation's purse. Everyone wants the money -

Education, Social Service, etc.

Several of us here at the Air Ministry agree with you.

-We can put up some money now.

-How much?

£7,500.

£7,500?

But that's no use at all.

It's all we can do now. But you go and design your plane.

It may help things along. Don't look so depressed.

Government departments upset anyone.

Only one thing is to be done - build a plane, a fighter,

to be ready when it's needed.

I want to design one on the same lines as my Schneider planes.

Only, of course, a land plane.

For that I shall need a new engine.

Again? Why do people always come to me for special engines?

That's one of the penalties of being called Royce.

A new engine may mean new machine tools, months of experiments,

and may cost over £200,000.

Who's going to pay for it?

Well, the Air Ministry have promised £7,500.

And...I thought...

-INTERCOM BUZZES

-'Mr Barrington to see you, sir.'

-Very well, I'll see him.

-'When, Sir Henry?'

In a couple of minutes.

I've got another appointment.

Sorry I've taken up your time.

That's all right.

Now...about that engine...

-Yes?

-I'm afraid you've got me cornered.

I suppose you'll have to have it.

-Who's going to pay for it?

-The money always takes care of itself.

I'll let you have an engine I've had in my head for some time.

We'll work at it together.

I've got name for it. The Merlin.

-Merlin?

-The fellow at the court of King Arthur who worked wonders.

My engine and your plane are going to do just that.

THEY LAUGH

-All the best.

-Who is it tonight?

Are you suggesting I have an assignation?

Certainly not. I'm suggesting you have a date.

Who is it? Elsie Trubshaw?

Elsie Trubshaw?

You're six months behind the times.

-This is something sensational.

-What, again?

-This is 100% she-woman.

-Just a test pilot, aren't you?

Really...

Excuse me, miss.

Is that her?

Is it?

You wouldn't have your dates mixed, would you?

My dear Miss Harper.

-What are you doing here?

-I've come to see you.

-I'm sorry, I've got a date.

-I know, but not for quarter of an hour.

Didn't you tell Miss Crown to be here at ten?

-Quarter past.

-I said ten o'clock!

I had to see you, it's important.

-I'm not a fussy man, but...

-It's about Mr Mitchell.

About Mitch? Why, is anything wrong?

Yes.

I'm afraid there is.

Oh... Let's go and sit down.

-What's the matter with him?

-He works without rest.

No man can work with that much tension without cracking.

Mitch is all right. He's a strange bird. He's an artist.

The work he does is original creative stuff.

He's giving birth.

It's tricky just now. But he'll settle down and work in his garden.