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The First of the Few

The First of the Few

War · Drama · 1942

This 1942 fictionalized biopic chronicles the true story of how two of the most remarkable men in aviation history - visionary Spitfire designer R.J. Mitchell and his test pilot Geoffrey Crisp - designed a streamlined monoplane that led to the development of the Spitfire.

Movie details

The First of the Few

“The thrilling human story behind the plane that licked the Luftwaffe!”

1942 War · Drama 1h 58m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.7 / 10

Community rating

This 1942 fictionalized biopic chronicles the true story of how two of the most remarkable men in aviation history - visionary Spitfire designer R.J. Mitchell and his test pilot Geoffrey Crisp - designed a streamlined monoplane that led to the development of the Spitfire.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The First of the Few?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Leslie Howard

Written by

Miles Malleson · Anatole de Grunwald

Leslie Howard

Leslie Howard

R.J. Mitchell

David Niven

David Niven

Geoffrey Crisp

Rosamund John

Rosamund John

Diana Mitchell

Roland Culver

Roland Culver

Commander Bride

A

Anne Firth

Miss Harper

David Horne

David Horne

Mr. Higgins

J.H. Roberts

J.H. Roberts

Sir Robert McLean

Court is in session

Put The First of the Few on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.