Antoine de Saint-Exupery : Video.

[KIFIS]

I have a request that could best be answered by someone in France and as I do not speak French I must present it to you in English.
The following movies ( all associated with Antoine de St.- Exupery ) were made in France during the period :

1934 “ Night Flight “
1934 “ Atlantique Sud “ (100th Atlantic crossing)
1935 “ Southern Mail “

Have any of these ever been reproduced in video or DVD and if so where can I obtain them ? I understand they contain some superb flying scenes of “ old time “ French aircraft and in particular the aircraft flown by St. Ex.

Thanks in advance.

KIFIS

[PorcoRosso]

Hello KIFIS

Are you sure they are movies ?
Obviously they are book titles from Antoine de Saint Exupéry, but I have never heard of this period movies (doesn't mean they don't exist , of course)
I have some documentation about St-Ex, I will try to get some information.
I guess you tried "amazon" ?

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Flying is not dangerous, crashing is

[KIFIS]

Hello PorcorRosso

I'm pretty sure about all this because the information about these three films comes from " Antoine de Saint-Exupery The Life and Death of the Little Prince " by Paul Webster published in 1993 by MacMillan, London.

Page 157 says " Night Flight " was an American production that played for ten weeks on the Paris circuit in 1934. It also says that St. Ex was impressed by the spectacular flying scenes.

Page 158 referring to "Southern Mail " says St. Ex did most of the desert flying for this highly praised film released in 1936.

Page 158 says of " Atlantique Sud " that it was made to commemorate the 100th crossing of the Atlantic. An hour long documentary that was the most successful ever shown on the French cinema circuit. It was still being screened 12 years after its gala opening in 1936.

These films were certainly made but the question is whether they are available on video or DVD to we aviation enthusiasts.
Would you consider contacting Icare and asking them if they know anything ? I think their telephone number is : (01) 4942 2089 or (01) 4942 2105.

Many thanks.

KIFIS

[N1/TOGA]

hello KIFIS

"southern mail" (courrier sud) is made by Pierre Bellon (main actor : Pierre-Richard Wilm). ST EXUPERY supervised the movie in morocco 1934. he flew for air photography.

[PorcoRosso]

Impressed ! that's what I am !
You definitely know your subject KIFIS.
Actually I am really interested by these movies now.
I will contact Icare , and pass you any information.
Is Antoine de St-Exupery famous over there ?

Did you know that he is printed on our money ?

[KIFIS]

Hello PorcoRosso
Pleased to hear you will help me find these movies. It would be great if we could do it. There is just a chance that Icare and any other persons we contact may say that these movies have never been reproduced on video. If this is the case then the next question is to ask if there is an archives in France that would have them. If there is then an application can be made to the archives to have them replicated . This of course may be expensive but it may be worth it especially if there are others like us who would like to purchase the videos.

I have found another movie which is in the form of an advertisement in the Icare magazine No 162 which is the life of Henri Guillaumet . This movie is called "Les Ailes Du Courage " and is the story of his crash in the Andes and his rescue. The aircraft involved was a single engine Potez 25 and St. Ex was one of the pilots that searched for him after he came down. The advertisement is on Page 70 so perhaps Icare knows something about this movie.

Your question about whether St. Ex is famous in Australia is difficult for me to answer because I only mix in the aviation fraternity and I can only speak for them .It is safe to say that many of the older aviators (like me) know St. Ex but the general community do not .( More is the pity )You may like to know that I know he is on your money and that I have six of those 50 Franc note in my flight briefcase. I often wonder if the aircraft shown on the note is a Breguet 14. Also are you aware that this 50 Franc depicts St. Ex three times. (as I see it) his portrait and two drawings of the "Litte Prince".

Perhaps some day in the future we could enter into a discussion or start a discussion here with others because I am very interested in finding out who the French people think is their greatest aviator. Is it Antoine de Saint-Exupery, is it Henri Guillaumet or is it Jean Mermoz ? Perhaps there are some who would say it is Pierre Closterman . All my knowledge comes from reading English translations of the French originals and I suspect I miss some of the inner meanings of the writings.

KIFIS

[AMEX]

KIFIS: Well since you have mentioned Pierre Closterman, I must say that is he, who is responsible for where I am today. Nothing wrong with that but I certainly remember reading "Le Grand Cirque" when I was about 10 years old (maybe even younger). I loved the book and read it with passion. Since my passion for flying has never faded the slightest but at the time I could only fly in my dreams but god, that was one of the best flying I have ever done. I am really convinced that when I turned the last page, that's when it all started.

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If you can't save the engine...save the airframe :D

[PorcoRosso]

Amex : same for me mate !

KFIS : "les ailes du courage" is a very recent movie (1997 I think) it was Filmed by Monsieur JJ Hannault, also famous for "enemy at the gates" or "the Name of the Rose" (?) with Sean Connery.
This movie wasn't released on screen, because it's a 3D movie, and only a couple of theaters can display it.
I saw it in France 3 years ago, it's simply amazing !
Unfortunately it's only 40 minutes long, but it worth the try.
I confirm what you know about it, it describes the flight, crash and survival instinct of one of the most famous french aviator, H.Guillaumet

About St-Ex : This is a Breguet XIV on the 50 FF note.
There are many interesting points on this banknote, take one with you immediately, and try this :

Can you see the 4 or 5 blue lines in the top left corner ? (can't remember which side)
Look as close as you can ....can you see what they are made of ?
If not, I suggest you try with a magnifyer !

Enjoy it !

To answer your question :
the most famous french aviator ...mmmh

I would say that St-Ex is one of the most famous french writer, among the aviators ...People say he was better at writing than flying.

Mermoz is probably the most famous, and I like this individual, He used to write also, but he was definitely a better pilot !

Guillaumet, is not as famous as the 2 mentionned above, but a lot of specialists, former colleagues, or relatives acknowledge he was an AVIATOR, in the whole meaning of this word.

The problem with Clostermann, is that he is a good pilot, a good writer,a good fisherman, and a good politician ...damn hard to choose what he is best at ! The fact is, as AMEX said, he is responsible for a lot of us flying in France (and fishing I guess !)
Hope to read soon from you, KFIS
Don't hesitate to contact me at
[email protected]

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Flying is not dangerous, crashing is

[KIFIS]

Hello All : PorcoRosso, N1/TOGA and Amex

PorcoRosso
I have noted your e-mail and will contact you if I get more information about the movies to videos. Thanks for your answers to my various questions, you are correct about the 50 Franc note as it does tell a story that could not be read unless you knew the writings and life of St. Ex. It is all there, the Little Prince, Asteroid B-612, the volcanoes, St. Ex's flying routes (except USA and the one to Patagonia), the Breguet 14, mercators projection chart (behind St. Ex portrait),compass rose and "drawing No 2" which is the elephant inside the boa constrictor. Is this the answer to your question ? However I am not sure if the red dot near the Little Prince represents the sun or another planet and I can't identify the aircraft at the top near "drawing No. 2". Perhaps someone can clear this up for me and the story will be complete.

Vey interesting to read the comments about the most famous French aviator. I must read more about Jean Mermoz butI haven't been able to find any of his books and I suspect they are only in French which denies me the pleasure of reading them.If you gave me one magic wish that said " you can go back into the past ad sit for one hour and talk with either St. Ex, Guillaumet, or Mermoz I don't know which one I would choose. " Very very difficult decision !!

Any news from Icare?

Regards,

KIFIS

[PorcoRosso]

KIFIS

I will contact Icare, I promised.
But, as I suspect they do have the same business hours as me (I can't call from my workplace) I have to wait the coming week to do so (days off)
Obviously you knew about the 50 FF Banknote ...Some french still don't, about the many secrets on it (some don't even know who is St-Exupéry exactly)
The Aircraft you wonder about is a Latécoére 25, one of the many St-Ex used to fly.
The red dot with the ring is a planet, not a special one as far as I know.
Another point : do you know that, there is a spelling mistake on this note ? (not on purpose !) Can you find it ?
I know, my e-mails are a bit "riddle" styled ...
See you

BTW : what a/c were you flying KIFIS ?

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Flying is not dangerous, crashing is

[KIFIS]

Hi there PorcoRosso

Thanks for the info about the planet and the Latecoere 28. My understanding of the story on the 50 FF banknote is now complete, it's a nice banknote and full credit to whoever designed it. You have given me a most difficult puzzle to solve because how can someone who has difficulty with the spelling of his own language possibly recognize a spelling error in a language he does not understand ? But , I like this little problem and I will surprise you. Don’t tell me the answer as I would like to work on it for a few days. If I can’t solve it then I will let you know and you can tell me. In the meanwhile here is something for you.

“These modern fighter planes are like young women that neither are made for ageing men. “

Who said this and who did he say it to ?

You ask what aeroplanes I flew; I retired from the Boeing 747 Classic (Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong). I have only flown “ steam driven aircraft “ with “round dials “ and as such consider myself lucky to have flown the last of these “hands on “ aircraft. Tell me something about the aircraft you fly.

Regards,

KIFIS

[KIFIS]

Hi PorcoRosso,

The answer to the question you presented to me regarding the incorrect spelling on the 50 FF banknote dedicated to St. Ex is as follows: The first printing of the note showed St. Ex’s name written as ANTOINE DE SAINT EXUPERY in capital letters with an
“accent” mark above the E in EXUPERY. It is wrong to put an “accent” mark above a capital letter. Thus his name was spelt incorrectly. Later printings corrected this mistake and his name is now spelt Antoine de Saint Exupery with an “accent” mark above the “small e” in Exupery . This is the correct French spelling.
I suspect the notes printed with the error are collectors items. Are they still in circulation?

Regards,

KIFIS

[PorcoRosso]

My gosh ! it seems you know everything about our aviation culture and banknotes !
Sorry not to have answered quicker, but I was away, and experience some changes in my life (first flying job) and I was quiet busy these last days.
I am working on your movies related questions, and also on the aeropostale routes you are wondering about (easier !)
You will, definitely find a lot of books on the subject, but they will probably be in french ...
Contact me on my e-mail, KIFIS, We could exchange some info


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Flying is not dangerous, crashing is

[PorcoRosso]

I decided to put this one back on top !

Hello KIFIS


I have contacted Icare, I hope your questions will be answered.

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[email protected]
"Flying is not dangerous, crashing is"

[KIFIS]

Hi PorcoRosso,

Glad you did, thanks for the info about the videos re St. Ex. I will contact the museum and put their answer up here. Pleased you enjoyed the battle on "Rumours and News" re "Spyplane". It certainly was a war of words and between us we certainly managed to rattle a lot of cages and ruffle a lot of feathers. Take care flying that light twin across the Atlantic. I wish you "Ping An".

Regards,

KIFIS

[int'l]

This has been by far, the most interesting thread I have read in a long time.

Thanks for having these riddles and historical facts out here. Makes it enjoyable for all...

Regards, to both of you, KIFIS and PorcoRosso

[KIFIS]

Hello Int'l

Welcome to the French Forum. This is the most civilized of all the forums on pprune. There are good things to come so stay tuned.

KIFIS

[Simple Cymon]

There may be another St Ex movie in the works. A company in LA called Interlight has optioned Stacy Schiff's recent acclaimed biography. The film may never happen, but there again...