Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6615 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-04-02
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Full Screen, PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 114 minutes

Synopsis
The story of the creation of the Spitfire fighter aircraft which follows the creator, R.J. Mitchell, and his battle against failing health and material odds to design and build his airplane. Includes a special nine-minute introduction by Dr. Gordon Mitchell, son of R.J. Mitchell.

Customer Reviews

The father of the Spitfire in a loveable light
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.

First of the Few
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.

A chance missed - perhaps?
This movie, 'The First of the Few', is an honest attempt to tell the story of a man who, without doubt, was largely responsible for the successful outcome of the 'so called' Battle of Britain. Reginald Joseph MITCHELL, deserves his place in history.

As the designer of the Supermarine Spitfire his part, in this battle, was great. However, it was his work prior to the designing of the Spitfire, that was to prove decisive. He was the man who showed the world that the bi-plane design was not necessary and that a single winged plane had distinct advantages. His work designing sea-planes to race in International Air-races proved highly advantageous and, from this, the Spitfire evolved.

Such an important - modest - man deserved better than this very low-key motion picture. Not that the makers didn't show the greatest respect for the man AND give him credit. However, the very (at one time admirable)'Britishness', left the viewers unsure as to what exactly they had witnessed. Less 'reserved' film-makers would have trumpeted Mitchell's brilliance and qualities far louder - and would not have been faulted!.

Which method is best, for this subject, is hard to determine and must be an individual taste.

As a quite and restrained telling of the story of a great man, this movie is above first rate. It is superb! As an exciting piece of cinematography, it lacks 'pizazz'!