Dir: John Dower | Doc 86′
The Balloonists is a gripping account of one of the most daring adventures in modern aviation—the 1999 race to circumnavigate the globe by balloon. Centred on Swiss national Bertrand Piccard, UK’s Brian Jones, and Richard Branson, the film blends technical challenge, human endurance, and fierce rivalry into a riveting story that plays out like an adventure thriller.
What makes this narrative compelling isn’t just the feat itself—flying nonstop around the world in a fragile balloon—but the tension behind the scenes. The competition between teams, especially Branson’s highly publicised attempts, adds a layer of drama that makes fantastic use of its widescreen images to chart the voyage that involves all the usual dangerous elements: unpredictable weather, near-disasters, and split-second decisions keep the stakes high.
Piccard and Jones emerge as thoughtful and determined figures rather than reckless adventurers. Their approach contrasts sharply with Branson’s more flamboyant, media-driven style, giving the story an interesting balance between quiet persistence and bold spectacle. This dynamic makes the eventual success of Piccard and Jones feel earned rather than lucky.
The feature also does a great job of explaining the technical aspects of long-distance ballooning without overwhelming us with technical jargon or blinding us with science. We get just enough detail to appreciate how dangerous and complex the journey with its pitfalls.
The sequences involving the explorers’ loved ones adds an additional, invaluable human element. We get a chance to meet Jones’ wife, who was part of the logistical team, and Piccard’s father, a successful explorer in his own right. The Balloonists is an inspiring story of innovation, rivalry, and perseverance. It captures a unique moment in exploration history—when the world had already been mapped, but not yet fully conquered by human ingenuity in the skies.
IN UK & IRISH CINEMAS from 22 May 2026