The First of the Few
“The thrilling human story behind the plane that licked the Luftwaffe!”
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.
Where to watch The First of the Few in United States
Criterion Channel
Plex
Tubi TV
Amazon VideoClick a service to open The First of the Few there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
Where is The First of the Few streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Criterion Channel, Plex, Tubi TV | Amazon Video |
| India | Plex | — |
| United Kingdom | Tubi TV, 5, Plex | Amazon Video |
| Canada | Criterion Channel, Tubi TV, Plex | — |
| Australia | SBS On Demand, Tubi TV, Plex | Amazon Video |
| Germany | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Plex | — |
| France | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Plex | — |
| Spain | Netflix, Filmin, Netflix Standard with Ads, Plex | — |
| Brazil | Plex | — |
| Japan | Plex | — |
About The First of the Few
The First of the Few is a 1942 English-language war and drama film directed by Leslie Howard. The cast is led by Leslie Howard, David Niven, Rosamund John. It has a runtime of 1h 58m. In United States, it is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, Plex, Tubi TV.
The First of the Few was produced by British Aviation Pictures and made in United Kingdom. It was released on September 14, 1942, and carries a G certification.
- Director
- Leslie Howard
- Writers
- Anatole de Grunwald, Miles Malleson
- Release date
- September 14, 1942
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- G
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Production
- British Aviation Pictures
The First of the Few cast & crew
The First of the Few was directed by Leslie Howard and written by Anatole de Grunwald and Miles Malleson.
The cast features Leslie Howard as R.J. Mitchell, David Niven as Geoffrey Crisp, Rosamund John as Diana Mitchell, Roland Culver as Commander Bride, Anne Firth as Miss Harper, and David Horne as Mr. Higgins.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Muir Mathieson, cinematography is by Georges Périnal, and it was produced by Leslie Howard.
Is The First of the Few worth watching?
At 1h 58m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy war and drama, The First of the Few is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch The First of the Few
In United States, you can stream The First of the Few on Criterion Channel, Plex, and Tubi TV, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of The First of the Few
Leslie Howard
R.J. Mitchell
David Niven
Geoffrey Crisp
Rosamund John
Diana Mitchell
Roland Culver
Commander Bride
Anne Firth
Miss Harper
David Horne
Mr. Higgins
J.H. Roberts
Sir Robert McLean
Derrick De Marney
Squadron Leader Jefferson
Rosalyn Boulter
Mabel Lovesay
Herbert Cameron
MacPherson
Toni Edgar-Bruce
Lady Houston
Gordon McLeod
Major Buchan
The First of the Few — FAQs
▸Where can I watch The First of the Few in United States?
The First of the Few is streaming on Criterion Channel, Plex, Tubi TV in United States.
▸Is The First of the Few on Criterion Channel?
Yes — The First of the Few is currently available on Criterion Channel in United States.
▸What language is The First of the Few in?
The First of the Few is originally in English, with audio tracks including English, German, Italian. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is The First of the Few?
The First of the Few runs 1 hours 58 minutes (118 minutes).
▸What is The First of the Few rated?
The First of the Few is rated G. It holds a 6.7/10 audience score from 41 ratings.
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