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Product Description
Filmed during the dark days of 1942, tis is the immortal story of the Spitfire hich had helped to win the Battle of Britiain the previous year. Leslie Howard stars as R J Mitchell, the inventor of the Spitfire, whose aircraft designs were turned down for funding by Whitehall because they were too revolutionary. A chance meeting with Messerschmitt in the early 1930's gives Mitchell the inspiration to build Britains fastest and deadliest fighter plane. But first he must find a devil-may-care pilot to risk his ife on the test flights. Salvation comes in the form of Geoffrey Crisp (David Niven), an out of work veteran fighter pilot from the First World War. Together they build the aircraft that so many will owe their lives to. However, as Mitchell strives to perfect his fighter plane, he is rocked by the news that he has only one-year to live unless he stops working. His stark choice is to save himself or save his country.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Booklet, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: This classic 1942 war movie tells the true story of how two of the most remarkable men in aviation history - Spitfire designer R.J. Mitchell and his test pilot Jeffrey Quill - developed the aeroplane whose technological superiority helped Britain to win the vital battle of the skies. It features two of Britain's best-loved stars: Leslie Howard (who also directs, and who tragically went missing in action shortly after the film was made) as Mitchell and David Niven as Quill. Scripted by two other great names from British cinema, Miles Malleson and Anatole de Grunwald, The First Of The Few also features a stirring score by William Walton. ...The First of the Few ( Spitfire ) ( The 1st of the Few )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a beautiful and gripping story about the lead designer of the Spitfire - Reginald Joseph Mitchell. It is a propaganda movie from 1942, a very troubled time for England, when England was in great need for heros and Mitchell fits the bill, an eccentric, calm, pipe smoking, public school and very amiable sort of fellow.
The story is captivating and very believable, a one mans struggle to make the perfect areoplane, then the perfect fighter. It is so good you want to believe everything is true - and even if it is riddled with historical inaccuracies - you have to remember that it is just the film that was needed at the time.
The leading actors are most loveable, David Niven is at his best and has some rather convincing drunken scenes but it is Leslie Howard of Gone with the Wind fame as Mitchell that captures the audience. This was Howards last film as an actor since he was later in a plane shot down with the Germans. David Niven continued to contribute to the war effort both in films and as a commando in the Normandy landings.
The transfer to DVD is not that great, the film is a bit worn with time but there is no serious damage, also it is in a 4:3 aspect so no wide screen expectations. But it is a nice lovable film, very well acted with plenty of human interest and more so when it was released to a nation at war with very few happy prospects and in dept to the few.
The story is captivating and very believable, a one mans struggle to make the perfect areoplane, then the perfect fighter. It is so good you want to believe everything is true - and even if it is riddled with historical inaccuracies - you have to remember that it is just the film that was needed at the time.
The leading actors are most loveable, David Niven is at his best and has some rather convincing drunken scenes but it is Leslie Howard of Gone with the Wind fame as Mitchell that captures the audience. This was Howards last film as an actor since he was later in a plane shot down with the Germans. David Niven continued to contribute to the war effort both in films and as a commando in the Normandy landings.
The transfer to DVD is not that great, the film is a bit worn with time but there is no serious damage, also it is in a 4:3 aspect so no wide screen expectations. But it is a nice lovable film, very well acted with plenty of human interest and more so when it was released to a nation at war with very few happy prospects and in dept to the few.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Whilst this is obviously a wartime propaganda flick, it is still an enjoyable if highly romanticised view of the development of the Spitfire and the life of its designer RJ Mitchell.
Nevertheless, this is still an entertaining movie that is worth buying and still bears watching 60+ years later.
Nevertheless, this is still an entertaining movie that is worth buying and still bears watching 60+ years later.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a wonderful, biographical film about the life and work of Reginald Joseph Mitchell, the British aviation designer who created among other innovative aeroplanes the Spitfire. It tells the story of R. J. Mitchell from the time he was a dreamer who wanted to create the perfect bird-like plane until the time he created the Spitfire, working himself to death. The film has some inaccuracies and being a patriotic film it gives a slightly more heroic and romantic presentation of Mitchell's life, being very close to the truth nonetheless.
Produced, directed and performed by Leslie Howard, this film is a fine example of Howard's significant work helping the Second World War effort, that according to some theories lead to his death, when his plane was shot down by the Luftwaffe in 1943.
This film also known as "Spitfire" in the US is not only a great movie but a priceless document of aviation history. It includes rare footage of another of Mitchell's innovative planes the Supermarine S.4, and also many real life British fighter pilots make cameo appearances in the beginning of the film.
In total a fascinating film, with excellent performances by Leslie Howard as R. J. Mitchell and David Niven as test pilot Geoffrey Crisp.
Produced, directed and performed by Leslie Howard, this film is a fine example of Howard's significant work helping the Second World War effort, that according to some theories lead to his death, when his plane was shot down by the Luftwaffe in 1943.
This film also known as "Spitfire" in the US is not only a great movie but a priceless document of aviation history. It includes rare footage of another of Mitchell's innovative planes the Supermarine S.4, and also many real life British fighter pilots make cameo appearances in the beginning of the film.
In total a fascinating film, with excellent performances by Leslie Howard as R. J. Mitchell and David Niven as test pilot Geoffrey Crisp.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sir Reginald
If you are English and from Stoke........this is about as good as you could ever be.
To die with an idea in your eyes. Read more
To die with an idea in your eyes. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mr. P. F. Tindall
The story of the WW2 Spitfire and its designer
This is a somewhat fictionalised version of the story of how the Spitfire came into being.
It owed its design to aircraft intended to compete in the various air trials... Read more
It owed its design to aircraft intended to compete in the various air trials... Read more
Published 27 days ago by Claptonian
First of the Few
This film is excellent - not one hundred per cent factual - but an excellent film reminding whoever sees it of the problems created by politicians of all persuasions that the rest... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dekka
Remembering An Iconic Aircraft
As a film, this is the story of the development of probably the most iconic aeroplane in
this countrie's avionic history, the "Spitfire". Read more
this countrie's avionic history, the "Spitfire". Read more
Published 8 months ago by D. F. Ackerman
aka 'Spitfire'
Got this film without any expectation. At first I was nonplussed by the opening scenes and feared the worst: a wartime propaganda film, even though the William Walton score boded... Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. R. Pack
Good story
We enjoyed watching this film last night, good story to it. The sound quality towards the end on the dvd was a bit scratchy but we put that down to the age of the film (roughly 71... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ms. Nicola J. Booth
brilliant
a simply wonderful film about one of the great unsung heroes of the 20th century. A bit out of date dialogue wise and the models used are obviously models, but this story of the... Read more
Published 19 months ago by P. STACE
Great Film
Great War Film, it is funny and sad, one of the best war films i have seen.
Published 19 months ago by Louise Gillham
A classic
Bought this DVD for my mum she enjoyed it because it is of her generation.
Published 21 months ago by peppermint
First of the Few DVD
Wonderful to see this film again with its famous theme music by William Walton especially as this the 70th Anniversay of the Battle of Britain. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Paul E. Tuffery
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