The Aeronauts is the latest film staring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. The pair are known for starring together in The Theory of Everything, playing Stephen Hawking and his first wife Jane. But now the duo are back, playing two lesser-known innovators in The Aeronauts.
What is the plot of The Aeronauts?
The Aeronauts is the story of pioneering meteorologist and balloonist James Glaisher and his historic, record-breaking ride of September 5, 1862.
In the account portrayed in the film, James is joined on his journey by fictional pilot Amelia Wren, as the pair struggle with altitude and fight for their survival as they ascend into the sky.
The pair are attempting to discover more about the gas balloon, and break the world record for how high such a thing can fly – with extraordinary results.
There has been some controversy about the plot so far, as James’s real-life co-pilot Henry Coxwell has been removed from the narrative in favour of Felicity Jones’s character.
In real life, Henry climbed up into the rigging to release a trapped valve at -29C, when James began to pass out and the balloon become uncontrollable.
Keith Moore, Head of Library at the Royal Society, told The Telegraph: “It’s a great shame that Henry isn’t portrayed because he performed very well and saved the life of a leading scientist.
“Glaisher was just looking at his instruments – he was very much the cargo.”
Who is in the cast of The Aeronauts?
Eddie Redmayne plays James Glaisher, while Felicity Jones is Amelia Wren.
Vincent Perez portrays Amelia’s husband, Pierre, while Anne Reid and Tom Courtenay are Ethel and Arthur Glaisher, James’s parents.
Rebecca Front plays Aunt Frances in the film, while Tim McInnerny is Airy and Phoebe Fox is Antonia.
The film is written by Jack Thorne, who is behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and directed by Tom Harper.
When is The Aeronauts released in cinemas?
The Aeronauts is released on November 6 in the UK, after it is shown at the London Film Festival on October 7.
The Aeronauts had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on August 20 before being shown again at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8.
The Aeronauts will be out on December 6 in the USA.
Is there a trailer in The Aeronauts?
Yes, there is a trailer for The Aeronauts. In the new clip, Felicity Jones is seen saying she believes there are “answers in the sky” having found happiness there.
Eddie Redmayne is then seen telling scientists they must try to “predict the weather” as a meteorologist, but he is laughed at and ignored.
In the end, he turns to Felicity Jones’s Amelia, who his mother jokes always “makes a show of herself,” in order to fly higher than anyone has ever been.
They attempt their flight to crowds of excited people, but soon they see how their dangerous the heights of the skies really are.
The Aeronauts is in cinemas from November 6