Coxwell was one of a band of pioneering aeronauts who were pushing the boundaries of air flight when he made the historic journey in 1862

A record breaking Victorian balloonist has been written out of a new Eddie Redmayne film in favour of a fictitious female character.

Science historians say the exploits of Henry Coxwell have been airbrushed out so that the Oscar winner could be reunited with Felicity Jones in The Aeronauts.

Coxwell was one of a band of pioneering aeronauts who were pushing the boundaries of air flight when he and meteorologist James Glaisher ascended to an estimated 37,000 feet in 1862.

But the landmark flight nearly ended in disaster as the balloon rose uncontrollably and the two men began to pass out.

But their lives were saved when they were seven miles above sea level when brave Coxwell managed to release a trapped valve.

However the new film's producers have overlooked his actions and instead have replaced him with a fictitious character, called Amelia Wren, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Keith Moore, head of the library at the Royal Society, the UK's national science academy, told the paper: 'It's a great shame that Henry isn't portrayed because he performed very well and saved the life of a leading scientist.

Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones are reunited 2,000 feet in the air on a hot air balloon in the first look poster for The Aeronauts

An photograph taken in 1862 showing Henry Coxwell, right, with James Glaisher, left

Glaisher was just looking at his instruments - he was very much the cargo.'

In 1862 Coxwell began working with Glaisher who wanted to measure the atmosphere at its highest levels to analyse weather patterns.

On September 5, the duo lifted off from Wolverhampton pair lifted off from Wolverhampton.

Writing about his experience later, Glaisher told how he began to feel 'balloon sickness.'

Own stunts: Producer Todd Lieberman admits that the authenticity of the hot air balloon snap was 'a top priority for them' - and as a result the fearless movie stars are, in fact, '2,000 feet in the air'

The talented pair first joined forces in 2014's award-winning movie, The Theory Of Everything

He said: 'In an instance darkness overcame me...I believed I would experience nothing more as death would come unless we speedily descended.'

As the balloon rose, the two men began to have difficulty breathing, and were unable to disentangle a cord used to release gas and begin their descent.

But after losing and regaining consciousness, hero Coxwell managed to grip the cord with his teeth and the balloon finally started descending.

Experts have estimated that the balloon reached 37,000 feet, around the cruising height of a passenger plane.

In 1862, the experts attempted to fly higher than anyone ever had before, in a hot air balloon. Pictured, Felicity Jones filming last week)

Mr Moore added: 'There were so many deserving female scientists of that period who haven't had films made about them.

'Why not do that instead?'

The film, produced by Amazon Studios, sees Redmayne reunite with Felicity Jones following their award winning success together in 2014's The theory of Everything.

In publicity shots for the film, the actors are seen high up in the air on a hot air balloon as they take in the sights around them.

Teasing audiences with what to expect once the period film hits cinemas, producer Todd Lieberman admits that the authenticity of the snap was 'a top priority for them' - and as a result the fearless movie stars are, in fact, were 2,000 feet in the air.'

Mr Lieberman said: 'A top priority for us on The Aeronauts is authenticity.

'With that in mind, we intend to do as much balloon filming in the sky as the weather will allow.'

Director Tom Harper said: 'This image was taken after we launched Felicity and Eddie 2,000 feet in the air, performing their scripted scene, while a helicopter captured it all.

'We’re fortunate that Felicity and Eddie have the nerve to do these stunts themselves as it authenticates our entire approach.'

Redmayne and Jones were both nominated for Oscars for their roles as Stephen and Jane Hawking in 2014's The Theory Of Everything.

Eddie ended up winning the gong, however Felicity was pipped to the post by Julianne Moore for her title role in Still Alice.