The First of the Few
The thrilling human story behind the plane that licked the Luftwaffe!
G 1942 · 118 min · ★ 6.7 · War, Drama
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.
Directed by Leslie Howard · Written by Anatole de Grunwald
Your Rating
Cast
-
Leslie Howard R.J. Mitchell -
David Niven Geoffrey Crisp -
Rosamund John Diana Mitchell -
Roland Culver Commander Bride - A Anne Firth Miss Harper
-
David Horne Mr. Higgins -
J.H. Roberts Sir Robert McLean -
Derrick De Marney Squadron Leader Jefferson - R Rosalyn Boulter Mabel Lovesay
- H Herbert Cameron MacPherson
-
Toni Edgar-Bruce Lady Houston -
Gordon McLeod Major Buchan
More from Leslie HowardSee all →
Going Hollywood: The '30s · 1984Going Hollywood: The '30s
★ 9.01984
MovieDocumentary
Robert Preston hosts this documentary that shows what people of the 1930s were watching as they were battling the Depression as well as eventually getting ready for another World War.
Gone with the Wind · 1939Gone with the Wind
★ 7.91939
MovieDramaWar
The spoiled daughter of a Georgia plantation owner conducts a tumultuous romance with a cynical profiteer during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era.
MGM Parade · 1955MGM Parade
★ 7.51955
Series
The original concept of the show was to allow the viewer to see the inner workings of a movie studio and featured interviews with MGM stars and explanations of how movies were made. Later, the format changed to show edited versions of MGM films.
The Petrified Forest · 1936The Petrified Forest
★ 7.11936
MovieCrimeDrama
Gabby, the waitress in an isolated Arizona diner, dreams of a bigger and better life. One day penniless intellectual Alan drifts into the joint and the two strike up a rapport. Soon enough, notorious killer Duke Mantee takes the diner's inhabitants hostage. Surrounded by miles of desert, the patrons and staff are forced to sit tight with Mantee and his gang overnight.
It's Love I'm After · 1937It's Love I'm After
★ 7.11937
MovieComedyRomance
An infatuated debutante renews a Shakespearean actor's running feud with his leading lady.
Pygmalion · 1938Pygmalion
★ 7.01938
MovieComedyDrama
When linguistics professor Henry Higgins boasts that he can pass off Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle as a princess with only six months' training, Colonel George Pickering takes him up on the bet. Eliza moves into Higgins's home and begins her rigorous training after the professor comes to a financial agreement with her dustman father, Alfred. But the plucky young woman is not the only one undergoing a transformation.
"Pimpernel" Smith · 1941"Pimpernel" Smith
★ 7.01941
MovieAdventureDrama
Eccentric Cambridge archaeologist Horatio Smith takes a group of British and American archaeology students to pre-war Nazi Germany to help in his excavations. His research is supported by the Nazis, since he professes to be looking for evidence of the Aryan origins of German civilisation. However, he has a secret agenda: to free inmates of the concentration camps.
The Gentle Sex · 1943The Gentle Sex
★ 7.01943
MovieComedyDrama
During the War seven women from very different backgrounds find themselves together in the Auxiliary Territorial Services. They are soon drilling, driving lorries, and manning ack-ack batteries.
The Scarlet Pimpernel · 1934The Scarlet Pimpernel
★ 7.01934
MovieDramaAdventure
18th century English aristocrat Sir Percy Blakeney leads a double life. He appears to be merely the effete aristocrat, but in reality is part of an underground effort to free French nobles from Robespierre's Reign of Terror.
49th Parallel · 194149th Parallel
★ 7.01941
MovieWarThriller
In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth attempts to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral. Along the way, the German soldiers encounter brave men such as a French-Canadian fur trapper, Johnnie, a leader of a Hutterite farming community, Peter, an author, Philip and a soldier, Andy Brock.
In Which We Serve · 1942In Which We Serve
★ 6.81942
MovieDramaWar
The story of the HMS Torrin, from its construction to its sinking in the Mediterranean during action in World War II. The ship’s first and only commanding officer is Captain E.V. Kinross, who trains his men not only to be loyal to him and the country, but—most importantly—to themselves.
Intermezzo: A Love Story · 1939Intermezzo: A Love Story
★ 6.71939
MovieDramaRomance
A concert violinist becomes charmed with his daughter's talented piano teacher. When he invites her to go on tour with him, they make beautiful music away from the concert hall as well. He soon leaves his wife so the two can go off together.
Of Human Bondage · 1934Of Human Bondage
★ 6.51934
MovieDramaRomance
A young man finds himself attracted to a cold and unfeeling waitress who may ultimately destroy them both.
Bookworms · 1920Bookworms
★ 6.51920
MovieComedy
A suitor dons a disguise to woo a chaperoned girl.
Stand-In · 1937Stand-In
★ 6.51937
MovieComedyRomance
An east coast efficiency expert, who stakes his reputation on his ability to turn around a financially troubled Hollywood studio, receives some help from a former child star who now works as a stand-in for the studio.
Romeo and Juliet · 1936Romeo and Juliet
★ 6.31936
MovieDramaRomance
Young love is poisoned by a generations long feud between two noble families.
More Like This
Air Force · 1943Air Force
★ 6.51943
MovieActionDrama
The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.
Dark Blue World · 2001Dark Blue World
★ 6.92001
MovieActionDrama
Lt. Franta Slama is a top pilot in the Czech Air Force who is assigned to train a promising young flier, Karel Vojtisek, and they soon become friends. When Nazi Germany invades Czechoslovakia in 1939, they both reject the authority of their new leaders and escape to England where they join other Czech exiles in the RAF. While flying a mission over England, Karel crash lands and happens upon the farmhouse of Susan, a young woman whose husband is in the Navy. Karel soon falls head over heels for Susan but, while they enjoy a brief fling, in time Susan decides she prefers the company of the older and more worldly Franta. As Franta and Karel struggle to maintain their friendship despite their romantic rivalry.
The Bridge at Remagen · 1969The Bridge at Remagen
★ 6.81969
MovieWarAction
In March of 1945, as the War in Europe is coming to a close, fighting erupts between German and American troops at the last remaining bridgehead across the Rhine.
The Enemy Below · 1957The Enemy Below
★ 7.11957
MovieWar
The crew of the American destroyer escort, the USS Haynes, detects a German U-Boat—resulting in a prolonged, deadly battle of wits.
Taxidermia · 2006Taxidermia
★ 6.62006
MovieDramaHorror
Set over three generations and beginning with a sexually frustrated orderly during WWII who relieves his tensions in the most outlandish, gross ways. The result of his liaison is a glutton who grows up to be a champion speed eater. He produces a child who becomes obsessed with taxidermy.
Sophie's Choice · 1982Sophie's Choice
★ 7.31982
MovieDramaRomance
Stingo, a young writer, moves to Brooklyn in 1947 to begin work on his first novel. As he becomes friendly with Sophie and her lover Nathan, he learns that she is a Holocaust survivor. Flashbacks reveal her harrowing story, from pre-war prosperity to Auschwitz. In the present, Sophie and Nathan's relationship increasingly unravels as Stingo grows closer to Sophie and Nathan's fragile mental state becomes ever more apparent.
What's Love Got to Do with It · 1993What's Love Got to Do with It
★ 7.11993
MovieDramaMusic
Singer Tina Turner rises to stardom while mustering the courage to break free from her abusive husband Ike.
Van Gogh · 1991Van Gogh
★ 6.71991
MovieDramaHistory
After leaving the asylum, Vincent van Gogh settles in the home of Doctor Gachet, where he keeps painting amidst the torments of his failing mental health. He begins an affair with his host’s daughter, however, she soon realizes that he doesn’t love her and that his heart beats only for art.
