The First Of The Few

I recently saw the film The First of the Few, about Reginald Mitchell, for the first time in many years. I did a search here for the title and was amazed that it doesn’t come up. Surely it must have been discussed before?

I am very sceptical about the film. Lots of it does not add up.

For a start, am I right in thinking that Jeffrey Crisp was a completely fictional character? After all, Mutt Summers was the first person to fly the Spitfire but in the film Crisp does, and Crisp also races the Schneider Supermarines and much more, including fighting in the Battle of Britain. Surely he was just a conglomeration of several real people?

The scenes dealing with Mitchell’s illness are rubbish too. They give the impression he died from getting tired after working too hard. The word cancer never came into the script yet he suffered twice from the affliction, the second lot killing him. Were they not allowed to say the ‘c’ word then in films? Most people would have been left wondering how he actually died.

The film omitted to mention Mitchell wanted to call the plane the Shrew.

It never mentioned that he got his pilot’s licence in 1934 after his first brush with cancer, which is interesting.

The negotiations with Sir Henry (Royce?) from RR about a new engine was laughable, all the way through saying it can’t be done then agreeing as he’s seeing Mitchell out the door. Then saying “Don’t worry about the money, it always seems to come from somewhere…” or words to that effect… What? I’m sure it never happened that way. Did it? Was Sir Henry Royce barking mad?

Also regarding the aircraft, were they real Supermarine S.6’s seen in the film? I realise the flying was models but on the ground?

I liked the acting, and don’t dislike this film, but it seems wholly innaccurate and I sincerely wish someone would come along and make a new film about the life of Mitchell, without twisting facts, does anyone else agree?