The Shamrock Spitfire

As someone who has a keen interest in the war in the air during WW2, (my late father flew Lancasters), I need no second invitation to watch a film on the subject.

In spite of my interest, I had never heard of Brendan "Paddy" Finucane or his remarkable story, a young half Irish lad with a longheld ambition to fly, decides to get involved in a war that he could easily have avoided. He defied his father, prejudice and instead relied on his unwavering belief and fighting spirit to become the youngest ever Wing Commander in the RAF aged just 21 and not surprisingly was highly decorated for his achievements.

It is clear that The Shamrock Spitfire is on a budget and whilst Shane O'Regan does a decent enough job in the lead role, the air action sequences are akin to a computer game plus inaccuracies are regular. Battle of. Britain sequences featuring Mk IX Spits - nah! All too often, senior RAF officers looked wistfully skyward as a flight of aircraft passed over them, it's as though the film makers couldn't concoct anything more and this was a shame.

So why 6/10? The story, pure an simple - it really is compelling. I just wish I could have given a score of 9 because the film matched it.

Certainly deserving of a higher rating than around 5

Especially as it's a film based on a true story about a real World War 2 brave fighter pilot. Yes it's a low budget movie and the acting was just average but the battle scenes were okay

What worked for me the most was I knew nothing before watching this about Paddy Finucane so it was educational and I think we need to see more films about little known hero's like him from from both World Wars as it's important that there are permanent reminders to all what these brave men and woman sacrificed for our freedom

So well done to the film makers here who brought his story to the screen.

Wing Commander Brendan "Paddy" Finucane was one of the distinguished fighter aces of WW2, yet today he's been all but forgotten, but for the most avid aviation fanatic.

As this visually stunning and very moving film shows, he was a remarkable young man (the youngest Wing Commander ever to serve in the RAF). Under the adept direction of Dominic and Ian Higgins, the cast delivers commendable performances breathing life into Finucane's story.

The battle sequences are nothing short of breathtaking, capturing the chaos, intensity, and adrenaline of wartime. I found myself physically drained just from watching them-it was as if I were right there in the thick of the action. The music score is another standout, adding a layer of emotional power without overpowering the scenes.

I have read that the filmmakers wanted to hark back to an earlier time of filmmaking, and I would say they have achieved that, it felt like a movie from the "golden age" of cinema, a classic war time weepy - yes, you'll need a hanky or too when you watch it!

A great film about a great man.

This is a very well told story of 'Brendan "Paddy" Finucane. An Irishman, who at the age of only 21, became the youngest wing commander in the history of the Royal airforce.

The Higgins brothers have done a fantastic piece of work here. Good CGI and decent acting throughout have contributed to a story that should've told long before this.

Brendan must have faced many prejudices in simply coming from a background where his father was a staunch Irishman who's beliefs were very much against the English crown.

This makes the story of the 'Shamrock Spitfire all the more remarkable.

I'd urge people to give this a watch. You won't be disappointed.

Considering the low budget and made by an independent company, this is a pretty impressive film. It covers the early life, through to the Battle of Britain experience of Brendan Finucane. Yes there is CGI but considering the cost to hire and fly real Spitfires or even build one, the CGI elements are fine. There is plenty of action, and at times some graphic scenes but not over the top.

I recommend the film, especially if your interested in the history of the period. It doesn't bog you down with statistics, but specifically focuses on Finucane, his squadron and at times his family. If your interested in a very brief history between Ireland and Britain then that box is ticked also.