The Iron Maiden - Film - British Comedy Guide (original) (raw)

The Iron Maiden. Image shows from L to R: Jack Hopkins (Michael Craig), Paul Fisher (Alan Hale). Copyright: Peter Rogers Productions

Genre

Film

Released

1962

Stars

Michael Craig, Anne Helm, Jeff Donnell, Alan Hale, Noel Purcell, Cecil Parker, Roland Culver, Joan Sims and more

Writers

Vivian Cox, Leslie Bricusse, Harold Brooke and Kay Bannerman

Director

Gerald Thomas

Producers

Peter Rogers and Frank Bevis

Company

Paul Fisher, the head of Transglobal Airlines, is in England on a buying mission, looking to expand his fleet with a multi-million pound purchasing deal for new aircraft. However, two companies vie for his custom - Sir Giles Thompson with his un-named new jet engine, and Lord Upshott with his company's Polygon.

As Paul and his wife - driven by daughter Kathy - snake toward London across England's narrow country roads, they come into collision with an ancient but lovingly restored traction engine, The Iron Maiden. Little do any of the trio, nor driver and owner Jack Hopkins, realise who the other is: for Hopkins is one of the top aircraft designers in the world, and the man behind Sir Giles's sleek new machine!

After a number of narrow misses, the identity of each party is soon revealed with predictably angry results on both sides. Stubborn Kathy's attempt at an apology without losing too much face only causes more trouble. Sir Giles is livid that he looks set to have lost out in the buying war already, but Jack's got far more important concerns, namely the National Traction Engine Rally at Woburn Park.

His job may be down the drain, but Jack'll be damned if he's going to let arch-rival the Admiral in his battleship-grey Dreadnought take home the top prize - but can he even get to Woburn in time, particularly with co-driver Fred out of action?

Additional details

UK certificate

U

Duration

97 minutes

UK release

December 1962

Produced

1962

Distributors

Anglo Amalgamated

Also known as

Production

Location

Camera set-up

Single camera

Picture

Colour

Broadcast details

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