DVD First Light - BBC

I found this movie intensely moving. I know a lot about the Battle of Britain, but this story really brought home to me the youth of the pilots involved. How does an 18-year-old cope with being thrust into such an extreme situation as World War Two's battle in the air? I just don't know how they did it. The film is very well done, no macho heroics, just ordinary young men dealing the best way they can with facing death not just every day, but several times a day. Geoffrey Wellum, DFC, on whose personal experience and best-selling book the film is based, provides a thoughtful commentary and is open and honest about how the war affected him and how, as he puts it, he "still struggles". Sam Heughan is excellent in the title role, mixing just the right of amount of youthful naivety with dogged bravery and the impact of stress on one so young. The flying scenes are outstanding also.

This dramatisation of Geoffrey Wellum's life as a WW2 Spitfire pilot is a mixture of acting, as one would expect, as well as actual recount by Wellum himself. I thoroughly enjoyed the drama, especially the amazing aerial acrobatics which had me mesmerized in my chair. The sequence in the rain was unbelievably realistic. I could feel the rain lashing down and also brought home to me how 'flimsy' Spitfires were and how braver were the men who flew them. Sam Heughan's performance as the young Wellum was excellent; changing quickly and believably from the young, naive but self-possessed rookie to the nonchalant, devil-take-me experienced pilot who lived on his nerves. It was a superb portrayal by Heughan. The rest of the camaraderie, love interest etc... in the film reflected the intensity of the job these young pilots did but, for me, the guts of the story was essentially centred in the main role, as was intended. Other noteworthy actors? Gary Lewis and Ben Aldridge. I would certainly recommend First Light.

This is a dramatised version of Geoffrey Wellum's biographical book "First Light". The book itself is impressive enough, telling as it does the author's personal experiences as a young pilot in the Battle of Britain. What distinguishes this book and dramatised version from other personal accounts of the Battle of Britain is the psychological introspections by the author while in action, which add a spiritual dimension to what he recounts. The young actor acquits himself wonderfully of bringing young Geoffrey Wellum to life in this film.

This is the Battle Of Britain as it has never before been presented.It leaves you feeling proud but saddened, this saga of a courageous boy reaching the emotional peak of his life at the age of eighteen, leaving nothing worthwhile to look forward to.The movie is only a snip of Geoffrey Wellum's account of his career as a Spitfire pilot, but good enough for what it portrays.Probably a good idea to first read the biography, then watch the film, then return to the book.

I didn't realise this was a Dutch DVD, although there wasn't any difference once subtitles had been switched off from the main menu. The quality was also a bit misty at times, that may have been how it was filmed. I was glad I got to see a very involving story, based on the book which I've read; and although the production (tv) probably had a budget limitation; the acting, emotion and authenticity came through very well.

First watched this on TV a few years back - now that I have it on DVD I've been able to rip it to PLEX and watch it again at my leisure while travelling...A budget production, but pretty well done. This is the true (dramatised) story of Geoffrey Wellum, the youngest Battle Of Britain Spitfire pilot in the Second World War.Taking us from the day he joined his squadron, through various actions against the Luftwaffe, leading to his 'breakdown' towards the end of the BoB. It doesn't really go much further than this - the book continues for some time with further exploits, and I'd highly recommend reading it.But as a small insight into Geoffrey's wartime life, the film is well worth a watch - the action is interspersed with 'present day' chat from Geoffrey (I say present day, he sadly passed away a little while ago).

It’s good but, you have to read the book first... really. The enchanting thing is that the film is interspersed with comments from Geoffrey Wellum. He brings the touch of reality that the film doesn’t quite succeed in capturing. Not that I could have done any better with such a difficult subject and story you understand.

This film I missed but thanks to Amazon I found it thought suggested products.This is one of the best films I have ever seen.Do not miss this film!The film is so accurate that if you are interested in this period of WW2 you will become immersed in it and watch it over and over again.I am so glad that I never missed it and how I never knew it existed is beyond me.It follows 92nd squadron and depicts the stress of being a Spifire pilot both the glory and loss during the Battle of Britain and is a historical delight.Fantastic!