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Filmed during the dark days of 1942, this is the immortal story of the Spitfire which had helped to win the Battle of Britain 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 Britain's fastest and deadliest fighter plane. But first he must find a devil-may-care pilot to risk his life 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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 60 people found the following review helpful
By Gisli Jokull Gislason
VINE™ VOICE
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.
8 of 8 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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Eleni
TOP 100 REVIEWER
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.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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 that became common in the between-war years from the early 1920's through to the mid-30's. The original design was for a seaplane, a type now rarely seen and which is not currently built. That the design was successful in winning the prize outright after three consecutive wins, awarded its designer R J Mitchell with wide recognition.
At that time, most light aircraft shared a popular bi-plane design where there were two stacked or slightly offset front wings. The planes tended to be wooden framed and covered with stretched, treated fabric which was stitched to the frame. The Seafire, the original version of the Spitfire was very different in that it was metal framed, with a thin metal surface which was riveted to the frame and it had a single front wing. The design was much stronger and, when the Ministry of Defence was looking for new aircraft to replace its fleet of bi-plane fighters, most of which were little different than those used during WW1, the Spitfire was born as a land-based aircraft, made slightly larger and altered to accommodate its weapons. The design was put forward and another competing design was that for the Hurricane.
Because of the fame and wide recognition of the Spitfire, it had been incorrectly credited as being responsible for success during the Battle of Britain (the Hurricane outnumbered the Spitfire by more than 2:1 in sorties during the Battle). It won wide esteem with the British public who gave up domestic utensils and equipment in the belief that they would help build the much-loved planes - very little of the metal collected was actually used, only the aluminium.... Read more ›
It owed its design to aircraft intended to compete in the various air trials that became common in the between-war years from the early 1920's through to the mid-30's. The original design was for a seaplane, a type now rarely seen and which is not currently built. That the design was successful in winning the prize outright after three consecutive wins, awarded its designer R J Mitchell with wide recognition.
At that time, most light aircraft shared a popular bi-plane design where there were two stacked or slightly offset front wings. The planes tended to be wooden framed and covered with stretched, treated fabric which was stitched to the frame. The Seafire, the original version of the Spitfire was very different in that it was metal framed, with a thin metal surface which was riveted to the frame and it had a single front wing. The design was much stronger and, when the Ministry of Defence was looking for new aircraft to replace its fleet of bi-plane fighters, most of which were little different than those used during WW1, the Spitfire was born as a land-based aircraft, made slightly larger and altered to accommodate its weapons. The design was put forward and another competing design was that for the Hurricane.
Because of the fame and wide recognition of the Spitfire, it had been incorrectly credited as being responsible for success during the Battle of Britain (the Hurricane outnumbered the Spitfire by more than 2:1 in sorties during the Battle). It won wide esteem with the British public who gave up domestic utensils and equipment in the belief that they would help build the much-loved planes - very little of the metal collected was actually used, only the aluminium.... Read more ›
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format: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. However the enjoyment of this DVD was marred by its frequent poor quality soundtrack and picture. The film used for this DVD must have been in very poor condition. Be great if a better copy of this classic film could be found for DVD conversion or if this version could be digitally enhanced.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love this film
This film has not suffered by being converted to DVD its such an inspirational story I could watch it time and again.
Published 2 months ago by M. Hare
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
It is now a bit dated but nice to see how it was then and how the actors were also.
Published 3 months ago by phillspain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
A classic movie brilliantly remasterd for Blu-Ray, a must by for any fans of the film and anyone that loves the story of the RAF
Published 6 months ago by Zallow
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unlike the WWII pilots, could do better.
I'd like to know what state the original print of this film was like if this is a "digitally remastered" version. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jonathan Clark
4.0 out of 5 stars
A REAL HERO
A beautiful portrayal of a REAL HERO,R.J. Mitchell,designer of the SPITFIRE,by Leslie Howard(who was murdered shortly afterwords by the cowardly bosche. Read more
Published 9 months ago by amazon.co.uk are biased,tax dodging ,cacographists
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 13 months ago by Mr. P. F. Tindall
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 18 months ago by Dekka
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 21 months ago by D. F. Ackerman
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 23 months ago by J. R. Pack
3.0 out of 5 stars
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 24 months ago by Ms. Nicola J. Booth
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