The Aeronauts true story: Is Felicity Jones film The Aeronauts a true story?

The Aeronauts is the latest film from director Tom Harper, written by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’s Jack Thorne. Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones are reunited to star in the film. And fans are curious to know if the pair are playing real life characters again.

Is The Aeronauts based on a true story?

Yes, the story of The Aeronauts is based on real life, though some parts have been altered.

Eddie Redmayne plays James Glaisher, who was a pioneering meteorologist, aeronaut and astronomer.

He worked in the Royal Observatory in Greenwich for 34 years as the Superintendent of the Department of Meteorology and Magnetism, and was later elected a fellow of the Royal Society.

James Glaisher pioneered the need for meteorology, where he said it was imperative to measure the humidity and temperature of the atmosphere to help predict the weather.

In order to do this he and his regular co-pilot Henry Coxwell made many ascents in a balloon to attempt to conduct these measurements.

On September 5, 1862, the pair broke the world record for altitude, but Glaisher passed out at around 8,800m before a reading could be taken.

Some estimates suggested they rose close to 10,000m (35,000 feet) above sea-level.

During the perilous journey, Glaisher lost consciousness as the balloon lost control, and Coxwell was forced to climb ropes to pull a valve-cord with his teeth, despite losing sensation in his hands.

In The Aeronauts, however, Felicity Jones plays a fictional pilot, Amelia Wren, who plays the role of Coxwell as co-pilot, meaning Coxwell is removed from the narrative.

This has caused some controversy, with some speaking out in frustrating at Coxwell’s removal from the story.

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. It was exceptionally brave climbing up into the shrouds.

“There were so many deserving female scientists of that period who haven’t had films made about them. Why not do that instead?”

Amelia Wren is fictional, though her portrayal may be based on other trailblazing women of the time such as Margaret Graham, who made many balloon ascents with her husband, George Graham, and was considered the “only female aeronaut” at the time.

There was also Mary Myers, a female aeronaut who operated in America, under the name Carlotta, though she was flying slightly later than Glaisher.

The Aeronauts is in cinemas from November 6