The First of the Few (Original title)Spitfire (Alternative title)
Date: 1942 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Leslie Howard
Synopsis: Biographical drama. The story of later years in the life of Reginald 'R.J.' Mitchell, aeronautical engineer and designer of the Spitfire fighter plane. When he becomes ill with a life-threatening condition, his doctor warns him he must give up his work to rest, or he will die within a year. Convinced of the importance of creating this powerfully fast plane, Mitchell struggles on to complete his work even if the effort brings his life to an untimely end.
Genres: Biopic, War
Subjects: Spitfires, World War II, Royal Air Force
Releases
Date: 1942Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Black and White - SoundRuntime: 118 mins Length: 10585 FeetDialogue (original): English
Title: [Sight and Sound - v2 n6 October 1992: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Video note
In: Kinematograph Weekly n2408 20 Aug 1953 Page: 30
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n2408 20 Aug 1953: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v81 n6820 13 Aug 1953 Page: 8
Title: [Today's Cinema - v81 n6820 13 Aug 1953: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v68 n5457 7 Feb 1947
Title: [Today's Cinema - v68 n5457 7 Feb 1947: no known title]Language: English
In: Kinematograph Weekly n2078 13 Feb 1947
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n2078 13 Feb 1947: no known title]Language: English
In: Motion Picture Herald v151 n4 24 Apr 1943
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v151 n4 24 Apr 1943: no known title]Language: English
In: Kinematograph Weekly n1845 27 Aug 1942
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n1845 27 Aug 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Motion Picture Herald v148 n10 5 Sep 1942
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v148 n10 5 Sep 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v9 n105 September 1942 Page: 111
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v9 n105 September 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v59 n4765 21 Aug 1942
Title: [Today's Cinema - v59 n4765 21 Aug 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Documentary News Letter v3 n9 September 1942 Page: 128
Title: [Documentary News Letter - v3 n9 September 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Sight and Sound v11 n43 Winter 1942 Page: 68
Title: [Sight and Sound - v11 n43 Winter 1942: no known title]Language: English
Author: JONES, Robert A. Pages: p.
Title: Battle of Britain on screen: 'The Few' in British film and television drama
Author: MACKENZIE, S. P. Pages: ix, 181 p.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(20)
Accessible materials to view(3)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10716 FeetBFI identifier: C-56977
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-582427
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10716 FeetBFI identifier: N-99779
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Video materials(3)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-642518
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-376594
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-376595
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Film materials(17)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 10499 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-56976
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-579874
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10704 FeetStock date: 1950BFI identifier: C-56980
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10716 FeetBFI identifier: C-56977
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-582427
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10716 FeetBFI identifier: N-99779
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 10717 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-56973
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 7895 FeetStock date: 1941BFI identifier: C-56974
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 7895 FeetStock date: 1946BFI identifier: C-56975
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: CTASound: Combined as MuteLength: 10717 FeetStock date: 1975BFI identifier: C-56979
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: CTASound: Combined as MuteLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-582425
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-56971
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 10717 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-56972
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteBFI identifier: C-56969
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundBFI identifier: C-56970
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 10717 FeetStock date: 1975BFI identifier: C-56978
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: PolyesterSound: SoundLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-582426
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication
Date: 1942 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Leslie Howard
Synopsis: Biographical drama. The story of later years in the life of Reginald 'R.J.' Mitchell, aeronautical engineer and designer of the Spitfire fighter plane. When he becomes ill with a life-threatening condition, his doctor warns him he must give up his work to rest, or he will die within a year. Convinced of the importance of creating this powerfully fast plane, Mitchell struggles on to complete his work even if the effort brings his life to an untimely end.
Genres: Biopic, War
Subjects: Spitfires, World War II, Royal Air Force
Releases
Date: 1942Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Black and White - SoundRuntime: 118 mins Length: 10585 FeetDialogue (original): English
Credits
(41)
Production Company: British Aviation Pictures, [Production Company]: Misbourne Film Company, Produced by: Leslie Howard, [Producer]: George King, [Producer]: John Stafford, Adrian Brunel, Production Manager: Phil C. Samuel, Production Consultant: Adrian Brunel, Assistant Director: George Pollock, [Assistant Director (2nd)]: Frank Bevis, [Assistant Director (3rd)]: Frank Hollands, [Continuity]: Hazel Wilkinson, Screen Play by: Miles Malleson, Anatole de Grunwald, Original Story by: Henry C. James, Kay Strueby, Lighting Expert: Georges Perinal, Camera Operator: Jack Hildyard, [Focus Puller]: Ray Sturgess, [Stills]: Eugene H.E. Pizey, Jack Dooley, [In Charge of Model Work]: Johnny Mills, [Model Photography]: Eric Cross, [Model Photography Camera Operator]: Arthur Ibbetson, Backgrounds: W. Percy Day, Film Editor: Douglas Myers, [Assistant Editor]: Eve Catchpole, Hazel Wilkinson, Art Director: Paul Sherriff, Music Composed by: William Walton, [Music Played by]: London Symphony Orchestra, Musical Direction: Muir Mathieson, Recording Director: John Dennis, [Sound Camera Operator]: Sid Cowcher, [Boom Operator]: Stanley Lambourne, Recorded on: Western Electric Mirrophonic, Sound Editor: Harry Miller, Technical Advisor: Sidney Cole, [Publicity]: Hugh Findlay, Made at: D&P Studios
Cast
(28)
Leslie Howard (R.J. Mitchell), David Niven (Geoffrey Crisp), Rosamund John (Diana Mitchell), Roland Culver (Commander Bride), Anne Firth (Miss Anne Harper), David Horne (Mr Higgins), J.H. Roberts (Sir Robert McLean), Derrick De Marney (Squadron Leader Jefferson), Rosalyn Boulter (Mabel Lovesay), Herbert Cameron (MacPherson), Tonie Edgar Bruce (Lady Lucy Houston), Gordon McLeod (Major Buchan), George Skillan (Mr Henry Royce), Erik Freund (Willi Messerschmitt), F.R. Wendhausen (Von Straben), John Chandos (Krantz), Victor Beaumont (Von Crantz), Suzanne Clair (Madeleine), Filippo Del Giudice (Bertorelli), Brefni O'Rorke (the specialist), Gerry Wilmot, Jack Peach (radio announcer), Peter Gawthorne ([board member]), Miles Malleson ([Vickers representative]), Bernard Miles ([Lady Houston's messenger]), Patricia Medina ([young Venetian lady]), Leslie Ruth Howard ([nurse]), Robert Beatty ([uncredited])
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(12)
In: Sight and Sound v2 n6 October 1992 Page: 68Title: [Sight and Sound - v2 n6 October 1992: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Video note
In: Kinematograph Weekly n2408 20 Aug 1953 Page: 30
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n2408 20 Aug 1953: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v81 n6820 13 Aug 1953 Page: 8
Title: [Today's Cinema - v81 n6820 13 Aug 1953: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v68 n5457 7 Feb 1947
Title: [Today's Cinema - v68 n5457 7 Feb 1947: no known title]Language: English
In: Kinematograph Weekly n2078 13 Feb 1947
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n2078 13 Feb 1947: no known title]Language: English
In: Motion Picture Herald v151 n4 24 Apr 1943
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v151 n4 24 Apr 1943: no known title]Language: English
In: Kinematograph Weekly n1845 27 Aug 1942
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n1845 27 Aug 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Motion Picture Herald v148 n10 5 Sep 1942
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v148 n10 5 Sep 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v9 n105 September 1942 Page: 111
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v9 n105 September 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Today's Cinema v59 n4765 21 Aug 1942
Title: [Today's Cinema - v59 n4765 21 Aug 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Documentary News Letter v3 n9 September 1942 Page: 128
Title: [Documentary News Letter - v3 n9 September 1942: no known title]Language: English
In: Sight and Sound v11 n43 Winter 1942 Page: 68
Title: [Sight and Sound - v11 n43 Winter 1942: no known title]Language: English
Books held in BFI Reuben Library
(2)
Title: "Why can't you scientists leave things alone?" Science questioned in British films of the post-war period (1945-1970)Author: JONES, Robert A. Pages: p.
Title: Battle of Britain on screen: 'The Few' in British film and television drama
Author: MACKENZIE, S. P. Pages: ix, 181 p.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(20)
Accessible materials to view(3)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10716 FeetBFI identifier: C-56977
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-582427
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10716 FeetBFI identifier: N-99779
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Video materials(3)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-642518
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-376594
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-376595
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Film materials(17)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 10499 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-56976
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-579874
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10704 FeetStock date: 1950BFI identifier: C-56980
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10716 FeetBFI identifier: C-56977
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-582427
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 10716 FeetBFI identifier: N-99779
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 10717 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-56973
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 7895 FeetStock date: 1941BFI identifier: C-56974
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 7895 FeetStock date: 1946BFI identifier: C-56975
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: CTASound: Combined as MuteLength: 10717 FeetStock date: 1975BFI identifier: C-56979
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: CTASound: Combined as MuteLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-582425
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: NitrateSound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-56971
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 10717 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-56972
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteBFI identifier: C-56969
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundBFI identifier: C-56970
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 10717 FeetStock date: 1975BFI identifier: C-56978
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: PolyesterSound: SoundLength: 10440 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-582426
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication