The First of the Few (1942)
1942 · Feature film · 113 min · dir. Leslie Howard
The thrilling human story behind the plane that licked the Luftwaffe!
- biographical film
Synopsis
This 1942 fictionalized biopic chronicles the true story of how two of the most remarkable men in aviation history - visionary Spitfire designer R.J. Mitchell and his test pilot Geoffrey Crisp - designed a streamlined monoplane that led to the development of the Spitfire.
Synopsis from TMDb
Details
- Director
- Leslie Howard
- Writer
- Anatole de Grunwald
- Composer
- Muir Mathieson
- Cinematography
- Georges Périnal
- Studio
- British Aviation Pictures
- Released
- 1942-09-14
- Running time
- 113 minutes
Cast & crew
Leslie Howard Director
J.H. Roberts- Victor Beaumont
Toni Edgar-Bruce- Rosalyn Boulter
Peter Gawthorne
John Chandos
Gordon McLeod
David Horne
Reviews on the Internet Archive
★★★★★ · The First of the Few 1942 · gary proffitt · 2023-12-13
The First of the Few (US title Spitfire) is a 1942 British black-and-white biographical film produced and directed by Leslie Howard, who stars as R. J. Mitchell, the designer of the Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft. David Niven co-stars as a Royal Air Force officer and test pilot, a composite character that represents the pilots who flew Mitchell's seaplanes and tested the Spitfire. The film depicts Mitchell's strong work ethic in designing the Spitfire and his death. The film's title alludes to Winston Churchill's speech describing Battle of Britain aircrew, subsequently known as the…
★★★★★ · Aka "Spitfire" · WINSTON SMITH3353 · 2013-06-05
The First of the Few aka Spitfire A British Aviation Pictures Production Synopsis: By the late 1920's aircraft designer R.J. Mitchell feels he has achieved all he wants with his revolutionary mono-planes winning trophy after trophy. But a holiday in Germany shortly after Hitler assumes power convinces him that it is vital to design a completely new type of fighter plane and that sooner or later Britain's very survival may depend on what he comes to call the Spitfire. ~Jeremy Perkins at jwp@aber.ac.uk Producers: Leslie Howard, George King (uncredited), John Stafford (uncredited) Director…
★★★★★ · Nice complete print of this classic wartime drama. · Video-Cellar · 2009-11-12
This is Lesley Howard's last film and a good example of the dramatic films made by the British film indsutry for the war effort. This is the first of three "British Aviation Films" produced for the RAF.
★★★★★ · Wonderful True Story ! · 1969nam · 2025-05-03
Thank you to The Greatest Generation for saving us against the sicko Germans and Italians and Japs.
★★★★ · A Rare Classic · Nacho Mamma · 2022-09-15
This is a unique & rare classic. Because, not only is the story based on actual events, but also because surviving pilots are portraying the part they played in the actual events, and the war.
★★★★ · Great film. · appledecca · 2010-11-17
Gripping & worth a watch..especially if you love flying ...thanks to uploader. Nice print. Good sound. David Niven gives fine performance.
