The First of the Few (1942)

In the late 1920s, the world of aviation was revolutionized by the prodigious aircraft designer, R.J. Mitchell. His innovative monoplanes, the products of his work for the specialized seaplane development company Supermarine, were the champions of prestigious air races, thanks in part to his talented test pilot, Geoffrey Crisp. Despite their soaring successes, they were consistently grounded by financial instability and a reluctant government hesitant to invest in their skyward dreams. However, the winds of change began to blow when Supermarine was acquired by Vickers, granting Mitchell a morsel of freedom to flex his creative wings. A trip to Germany in the 1930s, just as Hitler was tightening his grip on power, opened Mitchell's eyes to a looming threat that could darken the skies of Europe. This chilling realization sparked an unquenchable resolve in Mitchell to design a completely new type of fighter plane. Shaking off the shackles of convention, Mitchell embarked on a tireless quest to birth a creation that could stand as Britain's aerial shield in the face of the impending storm. The culmination of his relentless determination and innovative prowess resulted in the legendary Spitfire, a fighter whose name would echo through the annals of history, becoming synonymous with the RAF's resilience during World War II. "The First of the Few" is a vibrant biopic that paints a stirring portrait of R.J. Mitchell, a man who dared to look beyond the horizon and envisioned a machine that was not just an aircraft, but a beacon of hope in Britain's darkest hour.

The First of the Few is a war movie featuring Leslie Howard.

The First of the Few is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex, Plex Player and Tubi TV and it's also available on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy The First of the Few on Amazon Video.