#firstlight New WW2 drama based on harrowing tale of Spitfire pilot wows audiences By Elle GriffithsEmilia Randall,
2 days ago Audiences have praised a BBC drama chronicling the devastating journey of a Spitfire pilot as an overlooked treasure worthy of inclusion in a "high school history class." Helmed by Matthew Whitman, this stellar ensemble delivers a tour de force among the countless BBC wartime productions, drawing from the authentic experiences of Geoffrey Wellum, the youngest aviator in the Battle of Britain.
First Light begins in May 1940 at the war's dawn when eighteen-year-old Wellum, portrayed by Sam Heughan (Outlander, Born to be Great), enlists with the 92 squadron of the Royal Air Force. He's brought to the local tavern the evening before his debut when, despite lacking any flight training, he's anticipated to command a Spitfire.
Thrust into combat against the Luftwaffe, he participates in the Battle of Britain and receives military honors. Nevertheless, by 1942 the psychological pressure triggers his collapse, and audiences witness his struggle with the brutality he has endured.
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Earning a 7/10 score on IMDb, this wartime feature starring Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot, Gangs of New York) as Mac and Ben Aldridge (Fleabag, Our Girl) as Brian Kingcombe has garnered significant viewer acclaim, reports the Express.
One admirer noted: "I'm not much for war movies. I watched this because I wanted to see some of Heughan and Lewis's earlier works. I was impressed with both actors performances. The movie wasn't so much about Spitfires as it was on the effects the fighting had on the pilots. It was well produced for a TV movie.
"Heughan does a great job playing the part of a young inexperienced Spitfire pilot. Lewis also performs well as the "father" to all the pilots. I like the voice-over inserted into the film of the actual pilot Heughan played. All in all it was a good TV movie. There is strong language, so I would not recommend it for children under 16. It would be a good film for a high school history class."
Another viewer commented: "I have always wanted to know of the real experiences of the WW2 Battle of Britain fighter pilots and here is one of the best presentations of one man's personal experiences. His story is beautifully dramatized, with some great air fights and on the ground the boredom, the fears as well as the good times.
"What the movie does best is convey the men's struggle to keep going when utterly exhausted and facing the possibility of death at any time.
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"It's an intimate study and I believe a truthful one. The pilot Geoffrey 'Boy' Wellum was still alive at the time of the making of the movie (because he was only a teenager when he first flew) and in voiceover reflects on those days.
" His final words are heart-breaking. Was it all worth it? To complement this film, a wonderful history of the Battle of Britain is in an episode of Battlefield Britain presented by Peter and Dan Snow on BBC DVD."
First Light can be watched in the US by subscribing to BBC Select on Amazon Prime Video Channels, the Apple TV app, or The Roku Channel.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here.
By Elle GriffithsEmilia Randall,
2 days ago
Audiences have praised a BBC drama chronicling the devastating journey of a Spitfire pilot as an overlooked treasure worthy of inclusion in a "high school history class." Helmed by Matthew Whitman, this stellar ensemble delivers a tour de force among the countless BBC wartime productions, drawing from the authentic experiences of Geoffrey Wellum, the youngest aviator in the Battle of Britain.
First Light begins in May 1940 at the war's dawn when eighteen-year-old Wellum, portrayed by Sam Heughan (Outlander, Born to be Great), enlists with the 92 squadron of the Royal Air Force. He's brought to the local tavern the evening before his debut when, despite lacking any flight training, he's anticipated to command a Spitfire.
Thrust into combat against the Luftwaffe, he participates in the Battle of Britain and receives military honors. Nevertheless, by 1942 the psychological pressure triggers his collapse, and audiences witness his struggle with the brutality he has endured.
READ MORE:Trump hides from cameras for second day amid health rumors as he sneaks out for golf trip
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Earning a 7/10 score on IMDb, this wartime feature starring Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot, Gangs of New York) as Mac and Ben Aldridge (Fleabag, Our Girl) as Brian Kingcombe has garnered significant viewer acclaim, reports the Express.
One admirer noted: "I'm not much for war movies. I watched this because I wanted to see some of Heughan and Lewis's earlier works. I was impressed with both actors performances. The movie wasn't so much about Spitfires as it was on the effects the fighting had on the pilots. It was well produced for a TV movie.
"Heughan does a great job playing the part of a young inexperienced Spitfire pilot. Lewis also performs well as the "father" to all the pilots. I like the voice-over inserted into the film of the actual pilot Heughan played. All in all it was a good TV movie. There is strong language, so I would not recommend it for children under 16. It would be a good film for a high school history class."
Another viewer commented: "I have always wanted to know of the real experiences of the WW2 Battle of Britain fighter pilots and here is one of the best presentations of one man's personal experiences. His story is beautifully dramatized, with some great air fights and on the ground the boredom, the fears as well as the good times.
"What the movie does best is convey the men's struggle to keep going when utterly exhausted and facing the possibility of death at any time.
For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here.
"It's an intimate study and I believe a truthful one. The pilot Geoffrey 'Boy' Wellum was still alive at the time of the making of the movie (because he was only a teenager when he first flew) and in voiceover reflects on those days.
" His final words are heart-breaking. Was it all worth it? To complement this film, a wonderful history of the Battle of Britain is in an episode of Battlefield Britain presented by Peter and Dan Snow on BBC DVD."
First Light can be watched in the US by subscribing to BBC Select on Amazon Prime Video Channels, the Apple TV app, or The Roku Channel.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here.