The First of the Few (1942) ( Spitfire ) ( The 1st of the Few )

The First of the Few (1942) (Blu-Ray) (*)

$26.99

Original Title: Spitfire
Alternate Title: The 1st of the Few
Language Selections:
English ( DTS-HD Master Audio )
English ( Mono )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( Blu-Ray/Region A/B/C )

Running Time:
119 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Black & White

Movie filmed in 1942 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Leslie Howard

Written By:
Henry C. James
Katherine Strueby

Actors:
Leslie Howard ..... R.J. Mitchell
David Niven ..... Geoffrey Crisp
Rosamund John ..... Diana Mitchell
Roland Culver ..... Commander Bride
Anne Firth ..... Miss Harper
David Horne ..... Mr. Higgins
J.H. Roberts ..... Sir Robert McLean
Derrick De Marney ..... Squadron Leader Jefferson
Rosalyn Boulter ..... Mabel Lovesay
Herbert Cameron ..... MacPherson
Toni Edgar-Bruce ..... Lady Houston (as Toni Edgar Bruce)
Gordon McLeod ..... Major Buchan
George Skillan ..... Mr. Royce
Erik Freund ..... Messerschmitt
Fritz Wendhausen ..... Von Straben (as F.R. Wendhausen)

Synopsis:

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.

This classic 1942 war movie tells the true story of how two of the most remarkable men in aviation history - Spitfire designer R.J. Mitchell and his test pilot Jeffrey Quill - developed the aeroplane whose technological superiority helped Britain to win the vital battle of the skies. It features two of Britain's best-loved stars: Leslie Howard (who also directs, and who tragically went missing in action shortly after the film was made) as Mitchell and David Niven as Quill. Scripted by two other great names from British cinema, Miles Malleson and Anatole de Grunwald, The First Of The Few also features a stirring score by William Walton.

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.

This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 08 May, 2014.