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Spitfire (AKA The First of the Few)
Product Group: Video
Studio: Homevision
ISBN: 0780020855
EAN: 9780780020856
UPC: 037429123331
VHS Tape
Running Time: 90 minutes
Original Release Date: 1942-01-01
Theatrical Release Date: 1942
Release Date: 2000-06-16
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
SKU: 08100201
Condition: Like New
Comments: VHS tape in like new condition. From private collection so no rental or library stickers. Like new original uncut case with very minor wear. Play-tested and has excellent video and audio. Beautiful tape
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Editorial Reviews
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Description
Directed by and starring Leslie Howard (Gone With the Wind, Pygmalion), Spitfire is perhaps England's most inspirational World War II film. Making his last screen appearance before his tragic death, Howard plays visionary aircraft designer R.J. Mitchell, whose Spitfire was one of the Allies' greatest assets. Suspense builds in this simple but powerful story as Mitchell races to create the fastest fighter plane, then struggles to have his designs accepted by the government. The final riveting scene, which features footage of actual air combat between the British and the Nazis, pays tribute to his ultimate achievement. Two terrific actors fuel this heartfelt film: Howard as the quietly heroic Mitchell and Academy Award®-winner David Niven (Separate Tables) as his faithful friend and test pilot. The majestic score includes William Walton's famous "Spitfire Fugue. Spitfire
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Amazon.com
Also known by its British title The First of the Few, this 1942 film is an engaging, touching account of R.J. Mitchell's dedicated efforts to design and build the Spitfire, the RAF fighter plane whose superior performance eventually won the air war against Germany in World War II. Actor Leslie Howard produced, directed, and starred in this inspiring drama at a time when England had come to embrace him as a patriotic figurehead. His humbling performance as Mitchell--who sacrificed his health in pursuit of the goal--can't help but merge in one's imagination with Howard's real-life death under Nazi fire while on a still-mysterious RAF mission. Consistent with the theme of heroic selflessness is Howard's extraordinary generosity to costar David Niven, whose own rakish performance as Mitchell's brave, dedicated test pilot is a real star turn. For a movie that is essentially about an inventor working himself ragged night and day while the love of his life helplessly looks on, Spitfire is anything but static, redundant, or soapy. A film with a bright personality, Spitfire is a fitting, final testament to Howard's unique image and gifts. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
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A must-have for aviation and spit' lovers!
Rating  (5)
Date: 2003-06-08
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Very interesting account of R.J.Mitchell's determined persuit of forward-thinking aviation designs. Ties the development of the Spitfire through seaplane racing competitions (Schnider Cup). Highlights include seaplanes, spitfires, and understated British charisma. You'll love having this in your library.
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Top Notch Wartime Drama
Rating (5)
Date: 2001-11-20
4 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
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.
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Top-Notch Wartime Drama
Rating (5)
Date: 2001-11-20
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
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 character.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.
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Seagulls That Spit Fire!
Rating (5)
Date: 2001-01-16
4 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
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!
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a great movie with technical details
Rating (5)
Date: 2000-06-20
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
Spitfire provides not only an excellent semi-true story but also a good technical background of the creation and completion of the legendary Spitfire. A plane that would go on to play a crucial role in WWII.This movie is a must for any aviation diehard.
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