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The First of the Few (Original title)Spitfire (Alternative title)
Date: 1942 (Release)

Country: United Kingdom

Directed 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

Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (12)
In: Sight and Sound v2 n6 October 1992  Page: 68
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


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.