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Poster for The First of the Few

The First of the Few

Seen it?

1942 | 118 min | War, Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Dunkirk, start here.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 58 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated G, but peril.
  • Made in 1942: an older pace and style.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 33K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Leslie Howard

  • Leslie HowardR.J. Mitchell
  • David NivenGeoffrey Crisp
  • Rosamund JohnDiana Mitchell
  • Roland CulverCommander Bride
  • Anne FirthMiss Harper
  • David HorneMr. Higgins
  • J.H. RobertsSir Robert McLean
  • Derrick De MarneySquadron Leader Jefferson
  • Rosalyn BoulterMabel Lovesay
  • Herbert CameronMacPherson