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This film could be unique in that the aircrew "extras" in the film who "Scrambled" during the Battle of Britain scenes were all pilots who had actually flown in the Battle of Britain.

I know this because at the end of 1941 I was stationed at 61 (Spitfire) Operational Training Unit at Heston (now part of Heathrow airport) and was billeted in Meadow Way Heston. My roommate was a Flight Sergeant I Hutchinson who was on "rest" from operational flying as the Maintenance Wing test pilot and was one of the "extras" in the film.

My recollection is that he had to be up at crack of dawn and was seldom free before about 2200 hours. On the other hand, his base was the Savoy Hotel!

To be a Flight Sergeant in 1941 meant you had been an airman pilot for quite some time and consequently had a lot of experience. I see from the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour that, thankfully, F Sgt Hutchinson survived the war.

He gave me my one and only flight in a single engined monoplane - a Miles Master - and I still recall that experience with great pleasure.

FAG KAY 33 Marchmont Rd Richmond Surrey TW10 6HQ

The development of the Spitfire fighter plane by the Royal Air Force is considered a crucial factor in winning the Battle of Britain in that crisis year of 1941. It could fly faster and higher than the best German fighters and of course being right at home base it had the advantage of being able to instantly refuel. Unless a German pilot could shoot one down, a tie was always to the defenders because the German eventually had to return home for fuel.

Though he didn't live to see it, credit for the design of the Spitfire and a share of winning the Battle of Britain goes to Reginald J. Mitchell who had been dead four years before the Battle of Britain. This film is a tribute to him as realized by Producer/Director/Star Leslie Howard.

The problem one encounters in biographical films of this sort occurs when the subject lead colorless lives. We don't get that much of Mitchell here I suspect because outside of designing aircraft he probably was a pretty dull fellow. But Howard and David Niven who played his friend and test pilot are capable players and there's enough aerial footage to satisfy any buff.

Howard's seminal moment in the film occurs when he goes to Germany to view their nascent airplane industry and realizes just who is the target of all these new warplanes. He comes back and through sheer persistence and conviction persuades the Air Ministry and the Baldwin government to start the development of a better fighter plane.

Curiously enough the American aviator hero Charles Lindbergh got the same treatment from the Germans and came back to America with a message of defeatism. Interesting the different reactions when aviation people start talking shop.

Had Leslie Howard not died ironically enough a battlefield casualty as the airliner he was on shot down in 1943 in the Bay of Biscay, The First of the Few might have been the beginning of a great career behind the camera. Probably would have extended into British television as well as the cinema.

Still this film is a fine farewell and a tribute to two British patriots, Leslie Howard and Reginald J. Mitchell.

'The First of the Few' relates the story of the development of the Supermarine Spitfire by R.J.Mitchell, although as almost anyone who knows anything about the 'Battle of Britain' will tell you, around 70% of the Royal Air Force's front line fighters were Hawker Hurricanes. Slower, but a more stable and resilient gun platform than the Spitfire. In the Battle of Britain (fought in the summer of 1940) the Royal Air Force deployed the Hurricanes against bombers, while the more agile Spitfires engaged their fighter escorts. The Hurricane was designed by Sydney Camm (1893-1966) who designed many post-war jet aircraft including the Hawker Hunter - maybe someone should make a film of his life. An uncle of mine was an ace with 6 kills to his credit, flying a Hurricane from Malta. His aircraft was short down by British anti-aircraft fire on 29-12-1941. No, there's nothing new about friendly fire. William Walton's music also makes a great contribution to the film, and is now rightly (popular as the 'Spitfire Prelude and Fugue')in the concert hall.

This movie, a biopic of R.J. Mitchell, inventor of the Spitfire plane, saw the final appearance of that great British actor, Leslie Howard, who died in 1943 when his plane was shot down by the Germans. It was a fitting finale that one of his best roles, as the idealistic dreamer Mitchell, was his last.

Equally good (but perhaps a little young for the role) is David Niven as Mitchell's close pal Crisp. Niven was always good value and was convincing in uniform or official roles. Rosamund John has the remaining plum part as Mrs Mitchell, and plays the part very well.

'The First of the Few' works as propaganda, as an involving war actioner, and as a character study of an eccentric inventive mind. Howard's skill as a director ensures all angles are adequately covered and that the viewer is rarely bored. Dated it may be (and obviously so given the date of production) but should still appeal to a wide and discerning audience.

The film was shot at Ibsley (now no longer in existence either as a base or a beacon, though you can see the remnants) which was in Hampshire, and in 1942 an active fighter station. The group of airmen listening to David Niven recounting the story of Mitchell were real RAF airmen. The filming did not stop for the war. If the bell went to scramble, filming would temporarily be halted while those airmen would run to their spitfires, go off and fight the war, before returning and carry on filming as though nothing had happened. At the end, Niven was so impressed with those heroes that he sent them off to The Savoy in London for the weekend, ringing the manager with instructions to give them whatever they wanted: women, drink, food, making sure the bill was sent direct to him. Difficult to imagine our pampered "stars" doing likewise these days! How do I know so much? One of those unsung heroes was my adored uncle Peter Howard-Williams, who had been in 19 Squadron flying out of Duxford during the Battle of Britain, but happened to be at Ibsley when the station was chosen for the film.

'The First of the Few' shows Leslie Howard at his most reflective, almost to the point of diffidence. His only show of assertiveness is when he informs the haughty bigwigs of 'Supermarine'that he will design aeroplanes HIS way, despite David Horne's salutary warning that he will 'come an almighty cropper'. Howard plays R.J. Mitchell, legendary designer of the Spitfire, the revolutionary fighter plane that was to take centre stage in the Battle of Britain.

Throughout the film it is Howard himself who takes centre stage and never really leaves it, his star quality and charisma embracing all manner of scenes, from cheeky one - liners, 'you're not a bird, but you can fly', as a retort to Tonie Edgar - Bruce's mercurial Lady Houston, or modestly basking in the reflected glory of yet another Schneider Trophy triumph (the annual seaplane contest between Great Britain, USA and Italy which has now passed into folklore). Perhaps he is even more compelling in the touching solo scenes, with little or no dialogue, where, to William Walton's evocative music, he is found by his colleagues overworking himself deep into the night, trying to design the Spitfire before the imminent spread of Germanic imperialism, or, later on, close to death, scanning the skies for a sign of David Niven leading the way on the famous fighter plane.

An impressive cast of character actors give him great support, including Roland Culver as the supportive and insightful head of Supermarine, Anne Firth as a petite but highly efficient secretary, and future film maker Filippo Del Giudice as a foppish, hilarious Bertorelli, the high ranking Italian official who relays the message from 'Il duce' Mussolini, to the effect that the winning British Schneider Trophy entry could only have achieved such a feat 'in our glorious Italian sky'.

Howard's introverted Mitchell is in contrast to David Niven's jaunty, red blooded senior pilot, who demonstrates in this film just why he will go on to be the top British star in Hollywood, his easy acting style and unbridled optimism making Crisp a lovable character without ever seeming arrogant. Perhaps his inexplicable crash in one of the Schneider Trophy contests has the effect of 'bringing him down to earth', both literally and in character.

The only downside of the film is an oddly mechanical performance from Rosamund John, as Mitchell's wife. Obviously she could not come over as a dominant figure to Howard's subtle Mitchell, but the attempt to make her appear even more introverted than the star produces an uncharacteristically robotic outcome from this fine actress.

Both Mitchell and Howard were soon to pass beyond earthly constraints into immortality, the latter disappearing in mysterious circumstances, ironically, in a plane, over Portugal, in June, 1943. There is no finer epitaph to both of them, than 'The First of the Few', Mitchell as the genius aeroplane designer, and Howard as the first English actor (albeit of Hungarian parents) to make it big in Hollywood. In this respect, Niven may be regarded as 'the second of the few'. A gem of a film, whose great star never shone more brightly than here.

A large part of me knew before seeing 'The First of the Few' that it would be a good film. With such an interesting subject, William Walton as composer and Leslie Howard in his sadly final film role starring and directing along with David Niven and Rosamund John in the cast, it would have been very hard to mess up. Was a little worried though admittedly as there have been films with just as big potential that do make a mess of it.

Luckily 'The First of the Few' did not mess up. It is the sort of film that will move, and has moved, a great many, while there will be, has been, others that may note the budget limitations and time constraints, feel that there is not enough about the spitfire and may find what it tries to say handled on the didactic side. My opinion lies with the former while actually understanding any issues some may have. Found 'The First of the Few' to be a good film with great emotional impact and good intentions.

'The First of the Few' has more good than not so good and the good things will be started first. Howard, as director and lead actor, is a major asset as to why the film works. He provides sympathetic but also appropriately forceful direction, while also giving a performance that is assertive and moving. Regarding calling his performance moving, much of it is to do with the performance itself but some of it is also to do with remembering that this was his final film role before his tragic death too young. Niven also gives an authoritative account of himself and Rosamund John brings charm and pathos to a role that could have been more fleshed out.

William Walton's score is another strong component, it is very rousing yet stirs the emotions in distinctive Walton style (one of those compositional styles that can be recognisable from anywhere). The Spitfire Prelude and Fugue is a justifiably popular concert piece, an example of an individual piece from a film that is more famous than the film itself. The script made me think and cry, also being literate while flowing well and not waffling. The story is compelling on the most part, and really admired its sincerity and good intentions, especially when the advances in aviation are documented which was fascinating. Didn't think it was too exaggerated. By the end of the film, found myself genuinely moved and admiring the courage shown during the war. The involvement of the RAF pilots as extras in hard-hitting and lump in the throat-inducing scenes was a genius touch and everything with the development of the spitfire intrigued (would have liked more though) and inspired.

However, watching 'The First of the Few's' production values there was a rushed look to it and it is one of those films that is serious need of a restoration. Appreciated and admired the more educational/instructional aspects of the film, but some of it could have been handled more subtly.

Do think too that some of the more biographical parts could have gone into more depth.

In conclusion though, very well done. 7/10

One of the good ones! Very simple biopic that inspires and entertains. Great cast with David Niven and Leslie Howard (who also produced and directed). It will probably never end up on a 100-best list of films of all time. But it does not fail to deliver heart, spirit and all around good feelings. It is a reminder of nationalism which seems to have disappeared in this country. It was made in the days when it was not offensive to be proud of your country and the men and women who helped make it great. It is a reminder of the evil men in our world history and those who fought against them.

The studio sets are almost comical... you can hear the echo in the sound recording! The special effects are not special at all. The dialogue is even corny in some scenes. But none of that matters because the story is more important. It's a story of a man and his love of country and his disdain for tyranny. His perseverance is inspirational. His example is uncommon. And the support of his wife is just as stirring. RJ Mitchell is the spit and fire!

Leslie Howard produced, directed, and starred in Spitfire, the last film before his death in 1943. In the film, he plays real-life plane architect R.J. Mitchell, famous for designing airplanes in the 1920s. His buddy, played by David Niven, flies the airplanes to show off Leslie Howard's talent as well as his own piloting skills. Together, the friends take a vacation in Germany, and once they see the writing on the wall for WW2, they start to design a "spitfire" fighter plane for the British air force.

Most of the actors in the film, besides the leads and their love interests, are extras, actual fighter pilots from WWII. Most of the flight scenes is actual footage from the war, too. The characters aren't particularly three-dimensional, with the focus of the screenplay on the technical details, so Leslie basically comes across as an unflawed workaholic, and Niven basically comes across as a womanizing jokester. If you're interested in the backstage preparation before the war, or if your favorite facet of the armed forces is the air force, you'll probably find this film very interesting.

This film was released in the USA within two weeks of Leslie Howard's death in June 1943. The plane Howard was flying in was shot down over the Bay of Biscay.

Leslie Howard produced and directed this biography of R.J. Mitchell as well as starring in the film. This biography is also part propaganda and part documentary as Howard shows us Britain's advances in aviation going into World War II.

The cast is quite good, with David Niven as Crisp especially solid. Rosamund John plays the ever-patient wife. Also good are Roland Culver as Commander Bride, Toni Edgar-Bruce as Lady Houston, Anne Firth as Harper, Derrick De Marney as Jefferson, and Howard's daughter, Leslie Ruth Howard, in her only film appearance as Nurse Kennedy.

This film is hugely important because it is Leslie Howard's final film appearance but also because it documents the development of the famous Spitfire, without which Britain might have fallen to Germany.

This is a wonderful film.

"The First of the Few" (also called "Spitfire") was a film intended as propaganda in order to rouse the audiences of Britain and the United States in favor of the war effort. As such, it really isn't entirely accurate and takes historical license in order to further its purpose as a crowd-pleaser. There are many historical inaccuracies...and only the biggest one is mentioned below.

The film follows the career of R.J. Mitchell, the designer of various Supermarine experimental aircraft and the legendary Supermarine Spitfire of WWII fame. The film really isn't exactly a biography, as it focuses little on the man's life or pre-aircraft design period and when the film ends, you know a lot about his work but not much about him as a man. In particular, while the film shows him literally working himself to death to produce the super fighter which helped win the Battle of Britain in 1940....but he actually died of rectal cancer--something he suffered from for several years.

So is it any good? As propaganda, it's wonderful--well made, effective and well acted. As a bio...it leaves a bit to be desired. Overall, it's worth seeing...especially since it's the last film Leslie Howard appeared in before his death when the airliner he was in was shot down by Luftwaffe pilots the year after the film debuted.

Produced during WW2, I guess this film can be excused for its romanticised account of the story of the development of the Spitfire. The basic details are current: development from the Supermarine seaplanes, Mitchell dying of cancer, etc - but the development was nowhere near as smooth as depicted!

The William Walton score (now known as the "Spitfire Prelude and Fugue") works particularly well.

Leslie Howard's last film was one that he starred in, produced, and directed, in England called The First of the Few; in the U.S. called Spitfire. The British title relates to Winston Churchill's words: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

It is the story of R.J. Mitchell, who designed the Spitfire, a plane which helped win the Battle of Britain.

The Spitfire had several advantages. It was difficult to shoot down since the planes flew higher and faster than what the Germans had. Also, it was easy for the Spitfire to refuel since they were on home ground, whereas the Germans had to return to Germany to refuel. In part, it was designed by Mitchell due to his concern that the British military could not stand up to the German military.

Mitchell's brilliance was in combining elements that had been invented earlier to make one fabulous plane. He had some false starts, but he ultimately succeeded. In 1931, his design, S.6B, won the Scheider Trophy Competition and started things off. The plane later broke the world speed record.

We don't learn too much about Mitchell himself. He was dedicated to his work to the point of exhaustion, so it's doubtful he had a hot social life.

Unlike Howard's upper class, even-tempered Mitchell, the real Mitchell was athletic, lower class, and easily angered. Howard made his acting choices deliberately as Mitchell's family spent a lot of time on the set.

Howard costars with David Niven as his pilot, who provided some lighter moments. And if you like that sort of thing, there is a lot of aerial footage.

Mitchell died of rectal cancer in 1937 at the age of 42, so he didn't see all of his plane's success.

Howard died in 1943 on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines/BOAC Flight 777, which was shot down over the Bay of Biscay by the Luftwaffe as the plane flew from Lisbon to the UK. He was 50.

This is a strong propaganda film, well acted and well directed. It was filmed at an active fighter station, Ibsley, and the extras were real Battle of Britain fliers, and the film also showed the real people working on the plane.

Anyone interested in Mitchell, his son wrote two books: R.J. Mitchell: World Famous Aircraft Designer, and R.J.Mitchell: Schooldays to Spitfire.

As an aside, because this was a propaganda film, Niven was released from his MGM contract in exchange for distribution rights. When Samuel Goldwyn saw the film, he realized Niven was in a supporting role and re-edited the movie, cutting 40 minutes.

This is a similar story to what happened to Tyrone Power when MGM borrowed him for Marie Antoinette. When Zanuck saw that Power played a supporting role, he never lent him out again, and Power was offered some huge films as in 1939 he moved into the top 10 box office stars. I think Niven was luckier, though he and Goldwyn fought for years.

My father was one of the fighter pilots featured in this film (speaking part and "action " shots ) This film was part of his "war" ,if you like. To me ,this film represents the very best of British cinematography of its day and genre.I have some "stills " of the film and also quite a few w action shots (no pun intended !)on the open air set at RAF Ibsley in 1942. The soundtrack on most broadcast copies is rather poor,but the quality of the music score is beyond question.The composer ,william Walton was commissioned at the time but his music was not thought particularly noteworthy .It was not until the 1960's his music was accredited rightly in my view as a work of sheer brilliance. I agree with everything anthony Inglis has said in his commentary

This is a gem of war time epic that ranks close to the classics like the "Sink the Bisbark", and the "Dam Busters".

The story is about the history of development of one of the greatest war time fighter plane, the Supermarine Spitfire, told as a story of Reginald Joseph Mitchell - the designer of the Spitfire from his formulative days of designing race planes to the eventual design of the plane while fighting his own ailment of cancer. Mitchell barely survived to see his plane fly and incorporated into the Royal Air Force. It's a stroke of luck for England that Mitchell came up with the design, because it was the only type air craft that can match the technology of the German Luftwaffe.

Some artistic license has been taken to make the story to be fit for a movie. Probably half of the stories in the movie is fiction, but it still conveys the visionary genius of the man who was years ahead of his time.

First of the few points to Mitchell in that he was the first of the men Churchill mentioned in his famous speech "... never have so many owed so much to so few." regarding the Battle of Britain.

The format is somewhat dated, but this is a great movie to watch if you're an aviation buff or war time epic fan, and is recommended for viewing.

A fine movie biography about the designer of the World War II Spitfire. Strong performances are given by Mr. Howard and David Niven. Although it seems dated particularly with the black and white film, it is none the less worth your time to preview this movie. Leslie Howard was killed in an airplane crash shortly after finishing this film.

My older son has loved airplanes since earliest childhood. Back in Auke Bay/Juneau Alaska, he led his 2nd grade classmates in a paper airplanes arms race and wars, until his otherwise very restrained and patient Japanese-American teacher took the classroom trash can and dramatically swept all the air forces into the dustbin of history. :-)

I got this film for us - him - to watch, and it did its magic. Robert is now a highly creative aerospace (and nautical) engineer.

As others have noted, it is indeed moving: a man dedicating and indeed sacrificing his life to a beautiful airplane/design and to help stop evil.

(I only hope we haven't become that evil now, ourselves.)

Some have wisecracked that this is the only film that David Niven ever really acted in, but Niven was always quite genuine and dramatic, in his understated and self-deprecating way.

This is an idealistic and motivating film everyone should see, especially when they are young.

The menace of Nazi Germany blackens Europe, with Great Britain preparing for Third Reich leader Adolf Hitler's onslaught. Then, we flashback to tell the story of aviator R.J. Mitchell (portrayed by Leslie Howard), as told by his close friend and favorite pilot Geoffrey Crisp (portrayed by David Niven)… Our hero is inspired by flying birds (and Divinity, when you factor in the opening) to design a sleeker airplane. But, more than the birds he watches with wife Rosamund John (as Diana) on the beach, R.J. Mitchell wants, "A bird that breaths fire and spits out death and destruction, a spitfire bird."

The resulting "Spitfire" model finally gets off the ground, and will hopefully help defeat the Nazis in the present. But there are some challenges along the way...

It's not smooth sailing (or flying) for this choppy propaganda film, either. The presence of Leslie Howard does make it seem classy, though, even if the star doesn't really deviate much from his established persona. Howard produced and directed, also. A World War I veteran, Howard probably would have soldiered up again if he were five or so years younger. Ironically, the popular actor was in a plane shot down by the Nazis in June 1943, making this his last characterization. Howard would direct one more film, "The Gentle Sex" (1943). A casualty of war, Leslie Howard left the film world far too soon.

***** The First of the Few/ Spitfire (9/14/42) Leslie Howard ~ Leslie Howard, David Niven, Rosamund John, Roland Culver