Watch Conquest of the Air

Conquest of the Air is a 1931 British documentary film about the history of flight. The film is a dramatization of the history of flight from the era of hot air balloons to the Wright brothers' historic first flight in 1903. The film follows the lives of pioneering aviators including Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier, the first man to die in a balloon accident, and Otto Lilienthal, the German glider pioneer who inspired the Wright brothers.

The film is divided into three chapters. The first chapter covers the history of balloons, and how the flights of Rozier and Jacques Charles in France in the late 18th century revolutionized the possibilities of flight. The film details the horrific balloon accident that claimed the life of Rozier and his companion, and the public spectacle of the event that quickly shifted from wonder to horror.

The second chapter features the transition from balloons to gliders, and the contributions of pioneers like Lilienthal in Germany and Sir George Cayley in England. The film depicts Lilienthal's experiments with gliders and his untimely death in a gliding accident.

The final chapter of the film is dedicated to the Wright brothers' historic first flight in 1903. The film shows the development of the Wright flyer, and the trials and tribulations the brothers endured to achieve their goal of sustained flight. The film depicts the first flight and the subsequent development of aviation in the early years of the 20th century.

Throughout the film, the narrative is supported by historical footage and dramatizations of the key events in aviation history. The film features a mix of live-action footage and animation to illustrate key concepts, such as the principles of lift and drag.

Conquest of the Air was directed by Alexander Esway and Zoltan Korda, and starred Frederick Culley, Laurence Olivier, and Franklin Dyall. The film was a major production for its time, with a budget of £30,000 ($4.4 million in today's currency). The film was well-received critically and commercially, and was hailed as a landmark in the history of documentary filmmaking.

The film's success can be attributed to its combination of historical accuracy and dramatic storytelling. The filmmakers took great care to ensure that the historical events depicted in the film were accurate and that the technology was faithfully portrayed. At the same time, the film employs dramatic techniques, such as the use of live actors and animation, to bring the story of aviation to life.

Conquest of the Air is an important film in the history of aviation, and a testament to the courage and spirit of the early pioneers of flight. The film has stood the test of time, and remains an entertaining and informative tribute to the history of aviation.