Starring: Alan Shearman, Diz White, Ronald E. House, Mel Smith, Billy Connolly Director: Dick Clement Year of release: 1983 Country: UK (click to enlarge)

Based on the play Bullshot Crummond this classic spoof on the British comic book heroes of Victor, Warlord and The Eagle, mixed with dashes of Biggles, Inspector Clouseau and (of course) Bulldog Drummond -- produces the dashing Captain Hugh "Bullshot" Crummond - WWI ace fighter pilot, Olympic athlete, racing driver, part-time sleuth, and all round spiffing chap (much like your average Thames Rowing club member - cough cough) Professor Fenton is kidnapped by Otto Von Brunno (Crummond's wartime adversary) and his assistant/wife, Lenya. They try to torture Prof Fenton to get his formula to manufacture synthetic fuel. Of course, they haven't got a chance when Bullshot Crummond and Prof. Fenton's daughter, Rosemary are just one step behind. Quotes: but Sir, we've got the 'enley regatta today Sir... Dash it, you're right, I'll row a little faster Where's the rest of Captain Crummond's crew? Influenza, every man Jack of them

While rushing to the aid of Rosemary, Bullshot's bulter reminds him he's got to row at Henley, so our intrepid hero puts on his most revealing rowing outfit (and you thought lycra was bad) and goes off to compete in the eights event against "London Sculling Club". Alas, Crummond's Thames ARC crew has been struck by influenza, so he ends up sculling the restricted coxed VIII on his own against the London crew - inevitably coming through at the finish to win...