Product Details

• Actors: Leslie Howard, David Niven
• Directors: Leslie Howard
• Format: NTSC, Black & White, Full Screen
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Hollywoods Attic
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000WCYR8C

Editorial Reviews

This superb, inspiring drama was a war time morale-booster for British audiences, and it did much the same for American theater goers too. After a holiday in Germany following Hitler's rise to power, plane designer Reginald J. Mitchell becomes convinced that Britain's survival may depend on his new designs for the "Spitfire" fighter plane. Produced by Leslie Howard who, ironically, died before the release of this film when his plane was shot down by the Germans.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biography of "Mitchell ",Aircraft Designer;saving Britain ?, February 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Spitfire (AKA The First of the Few) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

For Aircraft buff's and those interested in the life of Mr.Mitchell;who designed the WW2 Spitfire. Shows early on developement of racing aircraft,and Mr.Mitchell's selfless sacrafice to develope a plane to counter the German threat;along with cooperation of "Rolls Royce" to develope the "Merlin",engine neccessairy for it at almost no cost;they too ,saw the threat of the German Me109.(note;this same engine built under license by Packard ;made the P-51 Mustang what it was).It is also a touching story,and very good rendition of what took place, in a generally unknown behind the scenes drama that helped save England in the Battle of Britian.Herman Gohring,when asked by Hitler;what is holding up the the launching of the invassion floatilla,(reffered to the Air supeamacy), was told the Sptitfire was supperior and could not be beaten ,in essance.One of David Nivens best performances. Rarely seen outside of England.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch Wartime Drama, November 19, 2001

By 

D. M. Farmbrough "Dave Farmbrough" (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spitfire [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is the archetypal war film. Part propaganda, part biopic, the story centres on the life of the Spitfire inventor, R.J.Mitchell. The version I had bore an introduction from his son which corrected some of the factual inaccuracies, but which also back up the spirit of the film and its good-natured portrayal of the inventor. Leslie Howard excels as actor,
director, and producer here, showing at the same time the vulnerability and obstinacy of a brave and clever man. Alongside Howard, Niven is a marvel, as always, playing a slightly caddish version of his usual English gentleman.

The film benefits from a decent if unremarkable score by William Walton. Stock film from real Battle Of Britain Spitfire flights lends verisimilitude, but the footage is unnecessarily scratched and dirty, bearing in mind the film was near contemporary.

"Mitch" was apparently suffering from cancer at the time he developed the Spitfire, yet this is skirted around and the word 'cancer' is never used, he is just told coyly that he might not have long to live unless he stops working. The script is typical of its time, mixing some gung-ho patriotism with some sentiment, but it has not aged badly compared to some films made
during the war.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seagulls That Spit Fire!, January 15, 2001

By 

Kyran McCarthy (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spitfire (AKA The First of the Few) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although the necessity for wartime propaganda allowed Leslie Howard to use artistic license, particularly in respect of the reference to Seagulls, the development and funding of the Spitfire, the test pilots (of which there seemed to be only one "David Niven") and R.J. Mitchell as a man, this element does not reduce the quality of the movie. Rather, it enhances the entertainment value which otherwise may have resulted in a standard documentary.

I was particularly impressed by the fact that parts of the movie were filmed on active RAF airfields. This was unique for its time and apparently due to good old Winston Churchill's strong support for the making of the movie.

As a huge yet novice Spitfire enthusiast, this movie left me with a warm glow and almost convinced me that the Hurricane never existed!

Irrespective of what may have transpired, R.J. Mitchell developed one of the worlds finest aircraft and Leslie Howard did a fine job in directing and producing this movie!