Music is so loud it drowns out the comments of the pilots. To the directors: learn that story is most important thing doesn't need overpowering, intrusive music.
38 Reviews
Sound editing spills a great film
pwatm27 July 2018
Grace and Gallantry
neyname-7064823 September 2018
As with so many of my generation who spent their boyhood up in bedrooms ,fingers covered in 'airfix glue and paint',my love affair of the 'Spitfire 'has stayed with me and grown,inexplicably intertwined with family,from lost uncles as pilots in WW2 themselves to parents and grandparents . The movie starts with a comment early on from a present day fighter pilot, that " the Spitfire is the most beautiful machine ever built by man " who could argue ?, Eloquently narrated by Charles Dance conjuring up the essence of a quintessential United Kingdom now sadly lost ,you are taken on a journey from engineering genius to impossible bravery ,with commentary from the last of the "few"who share a lifetime of feelings so many years later.In the last scene ,but so as not to spoil it, a very well known WW2 lady is reunited with a plane she delivered back in 1944 and you realise that the Spitfire is about people, thats why we love them,PS ,hold on to your heart strings during the closing flight scene ,accompanied with beautifully scored music. A dvd i will treasure.George Wheelwright.
Fantastic docu on a fighter plane during WW2
cekadah2 October 2018
This is a must see documentary on the people and the flying machine they perfected to protect and defend Britain during the WW2 German attacks.
The Spitfire fighter plane was both functional and beautiful in form. The citizens of Britain honor this machine and it's pilots for their bravery during one of the most frightful times for their country.
Yes, this is an emotional walk into the memory of those directly involved with the history of this plane. But how can it not be emotional when these brave people got through the nightmare of WW2 by the skin of their teeth.
The Spitfire fighter plane was both functional and beautiful in form. The citizens of Britain honor this machine and it's pilots for their bravery during one of the most frightful times for their country.
Yes, this is an emotional walk into the memory of those directly involved with the history of this plane. But how can it not be emotional when these brave people got through the nightmare of WW2 by the skin of their teeth.
Lest we forget
chrisjbennett-9778824 October 2018
I applaud the film makers for bringing this brilliant documentary to our screens. It is a very worthy tribute to the iconic flying machine that was designed by a genius , built and maintained by master craftsmen and flown by heroes.
It was heart rendering to listen to the remaining 'few' recall their experiences of flying the spitfire and how they regarded it as the most famous and beautiful combat aircraft ever built and reminding us all that it was first and foremost a weapon of war.
It was a pleasure to watch and it certainly brought a tear to my eye.
A very fitting tribute to the brave and remarkable generation of people who flew and fought in our skies during World War Two.
Perhaps the finest film ever made on the Spitfire.
chrisdbriley28 September 2018
Perhaps the finest film ever made on the Spitfire. From its entrancing story line, to the mesmerising aerials, a transcendent score and a stellar cast of thoughtful reflective, respectful people - you are left feeling both inadequate and inspired. The film makers should be applauded for capturing this exceptional story so sensitively before the door closes forever on the last of the few.
An honest tribute to the plane and it's crews but not the complete history I hoped for
trevorwomble18 July 2018
Firstly this is a stirring and well made documentary with excellent aerial footage and some interesting revelations I was not aware of. The photography is first class in places and the interviews provide some surprising revelations. The soundtrack is also very well done and as a commemoration to the key role of the plane and the men and women who made it possible this film is a wonderful achievement on such a small.budget.
My only issue with the film is that it doesn't follow up the military history of the spitfire between the end of WW2 and when it was finally retired from service in the 1950s. It would have been nice to hear about what happened to the majority of the thousands of planes when the war was over. Instead the film awkwardly misses out the last five years of its working life as part of our front line defence.
Secondly, despite being a fine actor, I found Charles Dance's narration to be oddly flat and droll. I couldn't help thinking that perhaps the narrator needed a more lively voice. To me Jeremy Clarkson ( who is also a big supporter of the armed forces) would have been a good choice, but I guess that is my own personal preference.
Anyway, congratulations to the team for making a solid tribute to one of the icons of the sky. The honesty and hard work was well worth it despite my minor quibbles.
My only issue with the film is that it doesn't follow up the military history of the spitfire between the end of WW2 and when it was finally retired from service in the 1950s. It would have been nice to hear about what happened to the majority of the thousands of planes when the war was over. Instead the film awkwardly misses out the last five years of its working life as part of our front line defence.
Secondly, despite being a fine actor, I found Charles Dance's narration to be oddly flat and droll. I couldn't help thinking that perhaps the narrator needed a more lively voice. To me Jeremy Clarkson ( who is also a big supporter of the armed forces) would have been a good choice, but I guess that is my own personal preference.
Anyway, congratulations to the team for making a solid tribute to one of the icons of the sky. The honesty and hard work was well worth it despite my minor quibbles.
Beautifully crafted movie
lallcorn17 July 2018
more of a tribute
SnoopyStyle29 December 2018
This is a documentary about the famed WWII British fighter plane. It's a reverent portrait of a machine and the people who flew it. As information, it's very lacking. There is little technical understanding. Quite frankly, it doesn't even explain the difference between a Spitfire and a Hurricane other than they're different planes. What is the great innovation in a Spitfire? What is its advantages against its German counterparts? That is a bit about them upgrading the Spitfire to shoot down the buzz bombs. The only great bit is the wind tunnel for the full scale testing. The film goes through a few of the battles but again not in detail. It has a section on the women flying the planes and has a nice bit about one of them. It also an anti-war bent to close it out. This is a perfectly nice documentary but it lacks the details to be truly informative. This is more like a reunion special for those who love the plane.
Beautiful Documentary
IMDbPro486217 July 2018
Not a docu about an airplane
alvareskrull21 September 2018
It's a beautifully crafted movie, full of magnificent images and interesting characters. But this is not a documentary about the legendary Spitfire and more so a movie about a part of the Second World War, some of its machines, people and events. The British plane has an important role in the narrative. One could say it is from its perspective that the movie unfolds. But there is a general lack of information, of insight, of enlightenment about the fighter itself wich is a deception for someone looking to watch a proper documentary about the above mentioned subject.
Spitfire Me Up
stea-8630223 October 2018
A pleasure to be able to have the opportunity to experience this once in a lifetime cinematic showing. A fantastic documentary telling the story of the bond and relationship of the legends (men, women and machine) who were tasked at a very young age of protecting our skies, island and future. From start to finish I was fixed to the big screen and hair stood up on the sound of those Merlin engines roaring throughout. Thank you to the cast and crew for bringing this extraordinary story to the big screen and allowing the general public to have a greater appreciation and insight of the sacrifices made.
Well-shot documentary
Leofwine_draca1 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
SPITFIRE is a well-shot documentary looking at the presence of Britain's most iconic plane and its place during the defence of the country in WW2. It mainly consists of talking head footage with various survivors of battles and those who flew the planes at the time; it was so long ago now that some of them have died since release. This isn't really about teaching the viewer anything new, but rather to summon up a mood of danger, heroism, self-sacrifice, courage and bravery, all mixed together. It's appropriately moving and engaging.
Interesting, but not detailed enough
jeritilley21 September 2018
An interesting documentary, but it misses far too much about the Spitfire, things like the design and also the different marks (which are not explored in depth in the documentary). Lots of time spent interviewing the people who flew the Spit, but not enough about the design, development and actual building of them. There is very little about how and where they were built, and we do not see many pictures of their construction.
But the biggest fault of this documentary is the wishy-washy music (loud at times) which the director has put over the sound of the Merlin and Griffon engines. The Merlin engine is music enough, without spoiling it by drowning it out with silly music. This takes away a lot of the pleasure of watching the Spitfire fly.
So an interesting programme, but one that could have been made much better than it has been.
But the biggest fault of this documentary is the wishy-washy music (loud at times) which the director has put over the sound of the Merlin and Griffon engines. The Merlin engine is music enough, without spoiling it by drowning it out with silly music. This takes away a lot of the pleasure of watching the Spitfire fly.
So an interesting programme, but one that could have been made much better than it has been.
Eye Watering Documentary
miguelcruzwork23 September 2018
Unlike what was said on other reviews this documentary should be seen as a whole and not something specific. Simply enjoy its beauty and specially the connection between the plane and the people that were involved in flying the most beautiful plane ever made.
SPITFIRES and the people who flew them
donaldgray-555071 October 2018
What can i say, i loved the film so much i bought the DVD,there are not many films that can bring a lump to my throat, but this film did,the stories from the actual people who flew them, 3 of which died not long after the release of this film.they are rebuilding SPITFIRES thankfully all the time now, but you cannot get the stories from the the likes of GEOFFREY WELLUM,and MARY ELLIS, any more,and i wish i had heard more from them while they were alive,the actual scenes of the SPITFIRES in flight are stunning, you get so close, i do not know how they did it, i am so glad i saw SPITFIRE the feature documentary at the cinema,this is the first time i have ever reviewed a film, but it moved me so much.
Lots of good footage, but pretty thin when it comes to actual information
davejones5 January 2020
There's lots of stirring music, great footage, and teary tributes to this great airplane, but there's almost nothing about WHAT made it great. Very little hard information about the design and construction of the airplane. How did the designers and builders of this marvelous fighter pull off the feat of creating a superior fighter?
I know very little more about this plane now than I did before I started watching this documentary. And I didn't know much before I started watching it. It's not as if they had to impress some lifelong aficionado!.
As the British would say. . . Pity.
I know very little more about this plane now than I did before I started watching this documentary. And I didn't know much before I started watching it. It's not as if they had to impress some lifelong aficionado!.
As the British would say. . . Pity.
Honest attempt at history
iangferguson27 August 2018
Always enjoy the sound of a Merlin. The new flying takes were very good after decades of Battle of Britain (1967) out takes for flying fill. Pleased to see Schneider trophy footage that's been hidden away as it showed the era that seeded the Spitfire. It felt like an enthusiasts movie which undoubtedly will be over the heads of your common garden movie goer.
Good effort but a rare story so don't expect many of these productions to happen.
Music too loud!
jamesonthebench13 December 2021
Wonderful, were it not for the absurdly loud soundtrack. It's too high in the mix so you can barely hear the characters speak. Which is a shame, as what these heroes are saying is so important. Visual delight but good grief... who in earth was in charge of the sound?
Wonderful tribute
pcbenbow4 September 2018
Not only to the plane and its designers but to all that flew them and the very experience that they associate with Spitfires. Some truly wonderful stories that are both poignant, honest and deeply felt from the people who lived them. The photography is exquisite and air to air shots really outstanding. I like the way it was edited and produced and admit to having felt some strong emotions near the end.
Disappointing
grantss1 June 2020
The history of one of the most iconic and historically significant aircraft in history: the Supermarine Spitfire.
Okay but disappointing. Rather than concentrating on history this documentary seems to rely on sentimentality. I was hoping for a detailed discussion about the history of the Spitfire, especially the design aspects, the improvements from one mark to the next and the different variants. There are elements of that - we have brief discussions on the improvements from the Mark V to Mark IX and IX to XIV - but that's it.
The interviews with former Spitfire pilots were broadly necessary and welcome but rather than inform the historical discussion they became the focal point. Plus, they're not always relevant, e.g. a discussion regarding a squadron flying to Malta that had nothing to do with the Spitfire: they were flying Hurricanes!
The main problem appears to be that the target audience is not people who already know about WW2/aviation/Spitfire history and want to know more but people who know nothing about these. So the whole thing is dumbed down.
The tone doesn't help either: rather than being objective everything seems rather hyperbolic and cheerleader-like.
Overall, it's still watchable, especially as there is some great footage of the Spitfire, both archival and filmed for the film, but it could have been heaps better.
Okay but disappointing. Rather than concentrating on history this documentary seems to rely on sentimentality. I was hoping for a detailed discussion about the history of the Spitfire, especially the design aspects, the improvements from one mark to the next and the different variants. There are elements of that - we have brief discussions on the improvements from the Mark V to Mark IX and IX to XIV - but that's it.
The interviews with former Spitfire pilots were broadly necessary and welcome but rather than inform the historical discussion they became the focal point. Plus, they're not always relevant, e.g. a discussion regarding a squadron flying to Malta that had nothing to do with the Spitfire: they were flying Hurricanes!
The main problem appears to be that the target audience is not people who already know about WW2/aviation/Spitfire history and want to know more but people who know nothing about these. So the whole thing is dumbed down.
The tone doesn't help either: rather than being objective everything seems rather hyperbolic and cheerleader-like.
Overall, it's still watchable, especially as there is some great footage of the Spitfire, both archival and filmed for the film, but it could have been heaps better.
Visually stunning.
ghostknife822 January 2019
I had tears in my eyes watching this beautiful documentary. What stunning planes the Spitfires were & still are. I have loved planes since I was a little girl. The vintage war & dog fight footage is spell binding & hearing the retelling from the remaining pilots mouths is amazing. Watching these magnificent planes & the love people still have for them today is awe inspiring. The ending where Mary Ellis sees the plane she signed in WW2 is fantastic. What joy this must of bought to her & the pilot.
Spitfire - Beautifully Executed Love Affair with the Classic Fighter
bamitchell23 December 2020
This is really a love story between the Spitfire, those that designed and flew them or simply watched them in any capacity as spectator, and a world, that to a great degree owed its future to the existence of this, ahead of its time, fighter.
My father, who has long passed, flew a few variants of the Spit in WW2, while in the RCAF. In later years when conversations occasionally touched on the topic, his voice and tenor would wax affectionately in discussions of the Spit, and controlling the bird was to him "like wearing a glove."
"Ahhh what a beautiful plane" in a tone that matched the sentiment, he would occasionally remark upon viewing even a picture.
The movie apart from touching on the history of the plane, is really a sentimental journey to those that once flew these magnificent birds and a fond hope for those who barely know of its existence to get a sense of the awe they felt.
The movie succeeds masterfully.
Bravo!
My father, who has long passed, flew a few variants of the Spit in WW2, while in the RCAF. In later years when conversations occasionally touched on the topic, his voice and tenor would wax affectionately in discussions of the Spit, and controlling the bird was to him "like wearing a glove."
"Ahhh what a beautiful plane" in a tone that matched the sentiment, he would occasionally remark upon viewing even a picture.
The movie apart from touching on the history of the plane, is really a sentimental journey to those that once flew these magnificent birds and a fond hope for those who barely know of its existence to get a sense of the awe they felt.
The movie succeeds masterfully.
Bravo!
Magnificent Documentary
dafoat3 June 2019
This is an extremely well crafted film about one of the most famous warplanes in history. The interview subjects, including historians, aircraft experts and surviving Spitfire pilots, are all excellent. The editing skillfully combines new footage and archival material. Charles Dance does a skillful job as the narrator, and the musical score is suitably stirring.
But what really makes the film stand out is the glorious aerial footage of surviving Spitfires in flight. The aerial cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. I truly wish I could have seen this in a theater. A really excellent piece of work.
But what really makes the film stand out is the glorious aerial footage of surviving Spitfires in flight. The aerial cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. I truly wish I could have seen this in a theater. A really excellent piece of work.
Amazing film about an amazing aircraft
jeffreyizo14 November 2018
I enjoyed this film Immensely. As a present day airline pilot, I grew up reading about the exploits of the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots of the RAF and the Battle of Britain and the miracle of The Few. I also learned about some of the lesser known history (as an American) like the ATA and the battle of Malta. This film captures the Gallantry of the British Veterans of WWII, while portraying beautiful imagery of one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made. Add to that, a lovely score as an undertone for the powerful and musical sounds of a Merlin or Griffon engines in the background, and you have every pilot's dream in this classic film.
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