Aviation was still in its early days when the Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne was founded. Thirteen unique archive films narrate the rise and fall of Sabena, featuring the different facets and periods: the first small-scale civil aviation experiments in Haren, the increasingly longer routes, the fleet in constant evolution, the flights to Belgian Congo, the experiments with the helicopter at the end of the fifties and the coming of jet aircraft, reflecting what has become our faster, more hectic way of life. In the booklet, aviation expert Etienne Reunis gives a comprehensive, detailed account of the Sabena saga and ten privileged Sabena actors retell the story from a more personal perspective.
7 November 2001. After 78 years of hard and dedicated work Sabena employees were to hang their uniform in the locker for good and witnessed the last flight of the company landing at Brussels Airport. It put an end to one of the most prestigious airlines worldwide and to an exciting career for thousands of people.
The new DVD of the Royal Belgian Film Archive retells the story of the Belgian airline from its very beginning to the official announcement of the bankruptcy. A dozen archive films illustrate significant events and landmark technological innovations that marked the company out as an outstanding example of quality air service: from the first aviation experiments in Belgium (often leading to improvised landing) and a nascent customer care to the opening of international routes and huge fleet investments to compete in a constantly evolving high-tech world.
Like for previous documentary releases, an expert has written the accompanying essay on basis of extensive research. This time Etienne Reunis (Aviation Department Director at the Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History) gives a detailed overview of a then ever-growing Sabena, its exceptional fleet and its contribution to the economic development of the country.
Ex-Sabena workers have been invited to add a more personal input into the story line by sharing their respective experiences. Stewardesses, air captains but also mechanics and loadmasters recollect the Sabena years with nostalgia.
CONTENU
Prologue
Aviation | Le circuit européen d'aviation (Anonymous, 1910-1911, 8'16'')
Two newsreels from 1910-1911. The Paris-Brussels-Paris flight of 16 October 1910 and images of the Liège-Spa-Liège flying contest in 1911.
Brussels International Airport (Anonymous, 1924-1925, 7'14'')
Promotional film from the twenties about the first commercial airport in Brussels.
Belgian Wings over Africa (Paul Pichonnier, 1950, 9'50'')
Documentary about the history of the Belgium-Congo route, made on the occasion of the thousandth flight.
An Hour at Melsbroek (Anonymous, 1950, 3'29'')
A guided tour of Melsbroek's national airport.
The Invisible Team (René van de Weerdt, 1951, 19'26'')
While plains land and take off at Melsbroek airport, an 'invisible' team is working nonstop behind the scenes.
Thanks to the Helicopter (Anonymous, 1953, 5'03'')
News from February 1953: Sabena helicopters are also used for mail service as well as for rescue missions.
Modern Games (René van de Weerdt, 1953, 3'47'')
Report about a competition for youngsters organised by Sabena in collaboration with the Cinéac cinema chain.
Sabena - News N°1 (René van de Weerdt, 1953, 7'14'')
Seven Sabena news items from 1953.
Belgium in the Sky (Jan Botermans, 1958, 17'34'')
Lyrical presentation of numerous aspects of the airport of Melsbroek and of the many facets of aviation in Belgium.
The Sunshine Caravelle (Alexandre Podolski, 1961-1962, 10'14'')
As of 1961, the Caravelle flies to southern Europe and the Middle East and brings Belgian travellers to their holiday destination.
Jet (Patrick Ledoux, 1960, 17'45'')
An ode by film maker Patrick Ledoux to the Boeing 707 Intercontinental that connects Brussels with Leopoldville and New York. The film premiered at the fourth Belgian Film Festival in Antwerp in 1960.
With Sabena It's No Dream (Publicity films, 1960-1998, 8'52'')
A selection of publicity films produced for Sabena between 1960 and 1998.
Epilogue (Anonymous, 2001, 0'29'')
Flight SN 690, an airbus A430, from Cotonou in Benin, lands at Zaventem on 7 November 2001. It is the last ever in Sabena's history.
DVD: 119 min
Language: English - French - Dutch
Subtitles: English - French - Dutch
Regional code: PAL (region free)