Pioneer Territory Emerges

The sumptuous depiction of New Zealand in the 195s and ‘6s trumps the weepy story at the heart of one of the most expensive Dutch films ever made writes New York Times reviewer Stephen Holden. “Bride Flight is a 13-minute fictionalized quasi-epic inspired by an actual contest known as the Last Great Air Race. The winner of the roughly 12,-mile flight from London to Christchurch in October 1953 touched down 41 minutes ahead of its closest rival. Bride Flight is best enjoyed as a lavish period travelogue whose story is dwarfed by its panoramic overview. When the drama stalls, you can always sit back and soak in the scenery, confident that nothing in the movie is likely to disturb your sleep. New Zealand in the 195s has the look and feel of pioneer territory emerging into modernity.” Rutger Hauer stars.