THE FIRST OF THE FEW

UK, 1942, 113 minutes, Black and white.
Leslie Howard, David Niven, Rosamund John, Roland Culver, Annie Firth.
Directed by Leslie Howard.

The First of the Few was Leslie Howard's contribution to morale boosting during World War Two. After a successful career in both England (Scarlet Pimpernel) and the United States (Petrified Forest, Gone With the Wind), he returned to England and produced films that would support Britain's war effort.

In this film he portrays the visionary aircraft designer, R.J. Mitchell, who designed the Spitfire. The film opens with the air attack by Germany on Britain and highlights the role of the Spitfire. The story is narrated by David Niven as Geoffrey Crisp, R.J. Mitchell's associate and test pilot. The film is basically a biography of Mitchell, especially from 1922 to the late 1930s when he was working on designing planes.

Leslie Howard himself plays Mitchell as well as directs the film. The film has a musical score by William Walton who was to compose scores, especially for the films of Laurence Olivier like Henry V. This was to be Leslie Howard's last film. R.J. Mitchell in the film is portrayed as a dying man who works hard in order to help the preparations for the war effort. Howard died on a mission when his plane was shot down in 1943.

1. The impact of the film in its time? Morale boosting? The uncertainties of the war in 1942? Seen in retrospect? In the light of the subsequent history of the 20th century?

2. Leslie Howard's contribution to the war effort? Producer, actor, director?

3. Black and white photography, the footage of the Battle of Britain, of the war effort? The settings of 1922 to the 1930s, rural England, the factories, the coast? William Walton's musical score?

4. The title, the reference to the men, to the planes? The significance of the Spitfire in World War Two, in the Battle of Britain - as illustrated at the end of the film?

5. The war sequences, the German planes invading England? The War Office, the war room and the information about the incoming planes and the action? The finale with the Spitfires in action?

6. Crisp, his action in the war, with the men, their going up on flights, the camaraderie, the discussions about the Spitfire? His reminiscences?

7. R.J. Mitchell, a visionary genius, with his wife on the coast, watching the bird fly? The inspiration for his design for planes, the wings and the body as one machine? Engines able to sustain flight for this design? His relationship with his wife, her constant care for him, their love? Their baby (and the baby disappearing for most of the film)? His work, his presentation of designs? The Schneider Cup and his success over the years? Britain wanting to continually win it and keep it? The scepticism about his plans, his being put on the work floor to get practical experience for several years? His revolutionary designs? Crisp and their school friendship, coming to work with him, the test pilot? Permission to build the flying boat, its going into the race, Crisp blacking out and the crash? The effect of the Depression and the stopping of subsidies for flight design? Mitchell and his appearing before various boards, government officials? His seeming despair, the phone call from Bride and his giving him a chance? Meeting Lady Houston at the party, her later sending the cheque to sustain British war effort? The design of the Spitfire, its being revolutionary, getting support? The test, Crisp and his flight? The toll on Mitchell's health, his overwork, the concern of his secretary, his wife? His going to the doctor, finding out he had little time to live? Finishing the design in eight months? In his wheelchair, tended by his wife, getting the good news not only of the test flight but of production? His contribution?

8. Crisp, David Niven's man-about-town style, going for the job, his entanglement with the secretary and calling her a dragon? Their later friendship? His getting the job, being the test pilot, flying in the Schneider Cup? The years passing, his continued support? His having continual girlfriends? The visit to Germany, Mitchell and Crisp having a holiday with Mrs Mitchell? Meeting the German officials? The speeches, the mutual admiration, the glider club? The boasting of the drunken Germans about their superiority and building planes - and Mitchell using this when he returned to England? Crisp and the final test with the Spitfire, flying over the house? His telling the story to the men in war?

9. The officials, the War Office, the government and decisions? The company, the board and the scepticism of the conservative members of the board? Commander Bride and his interest in Mitchell and supporting him? Vickers and their taking over the company, the Vickers boss and the interview with Mitchell, liking his vision, Mitchell becoming more assertive, wanting the engines for his planes?

10. Lady Houston, her boat, the call to wake up to England, her sending the money during the Depression?

11. The men in action, the glimpses of World War Two? A document about British aviation history emerging from a time of crisis?