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First of the Few [1942]
![First of the Few [1942]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51dZZ83vj2L._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £5.99
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The father of the Spitfire in a loveable light
Review date: 2007-07-06 Rating: 8 out of 10
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.
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
David Niven
Anne Firth
Roland Culver
Leslie Howard
Rosamund John
Creators:
David Niven (Primary Contributor)
Leslie Howard (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Showbox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Showbox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060132910559
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2007-04-02
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 114 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1942