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Historical documentary

Spitfire (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Spitfire (2018) movie poster

Spitfire is a 2018 historical documentary directed by David Fairhead and Ant Palmer, starring Charles Dance as Narrator (voice), Mary Ellis and Geoffrey Wellum. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $722,623 worldwide on a $1.1 million budget. Its Echo Score is 77/100.

worldwide gross
$722.6K
Echo Score
77
budget
$1.1M
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Spitfire (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Directors
David Fairhead and Ant Palmer
Genres
History , War , Documentary
Original language
English
Budget
$1.1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Spitfire About?

The premise of Spitfire without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This documentary explores the creation and impact of the iconic Spitfire fighter plane, alongside its contemporaries, the Hawker Hurricane and the Messerschmitt 109. Through personal accounts, the film delves into the rapid advancements in aviation during the interwar years that led to these aircraft’s development. It then recounts the experiences of the pilots who faced each other in fierce aerial combat over Europe, Africa, and Asia during World War II, highlighting the crucial role these planes played in the conflict.

Spitfire Themes & Keywords

· 10 tags
  • world war two
  • fighter plane
  • airplane
  • spitfire
  • military aircraft
  • royal air force
  • battle of britain
  • warplane
  • airplane design
  • airplane designer
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Cast & crew

Spitfire Cast & Characters

Charles Dance leads the cast as Narrator (voice), with Mary Ellis and Geoffrey Wellum. Directed by David Fairhead and Ant Palmer.

From the directors

More from David Fairhead and Ant Palmer

More films directed by David Fairhead and Ant Palmer, best-rated first: Lancaster, Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo and Armstrong.

Ratings

Spitfire Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

77 /100

Spitfire Echo Score Breakdown

Spitfire delivers a visually impressive tribute to the iconic aircraft, combining striking aerial footage with a heartfelt narrative about the pilots and their legacy. While the cinematography and emotional resonance are widely praised, the documentary falls short on technical depth, leaving viewers with limited insight into the plane's engineering. The soundtrack, though evocative, occasionally overwhelms spoken content. Overall, the film succeeds as a nostalgic homage but may not satisfy audiences seeking a comprehensive historical analysis.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary excels with superb cinematography and expertly captured aerial sequences. Reviewers highlight the spectacular visual quality and the effective use of large‑screen presentation. Minor criticism touches on occasional editorial choices, but the overall production design and editing are regarded as high‑caliber. The visual execution therefore stands out as a major strength.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film conveys strong emotional resonance through interviews with surviving pilots and personal anecdotes. Many reviewers note the moving testimonies and the nostalgic atmosphere. The narration by Charles Dance receives mixed remarks, described as flat by some, yet overall the portrayals of individuals are considered compelling. Emotional impact remains a notable positive aspect.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, the documentary presents a linear tribute narrative that engages viewers with personal stories and historic footage. However, several critics point out a lack of technical detail and an omission of the post‑war service period, resulting in a partially incomplete picture. The pacing is generally steady, but the limited depth leads to a mixed assessment of its narrative completeness.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    The sensory experience combines a powerful score with immersive sound design that heightens the dramatic aerial scenes. While the music is praised for its emotive power, some reviewers note it can be overly loud, obscuring dialogue. Visual style receives consistent commendation for its clarity and cohesion. Overall, the sensory elements enhance the viewing experience despite occasional balance issues.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    The rewatch factor is moderate; many viewers express a desire to revisit the film for its emotional moments and striking visuals. The documentary's nostalgic appeal and memorable testimonies encourage repeat viewings. Yet, the noted scarcity of in‑depth technical information may limit its long‑term replay value for enthusiasts seeking comprehensive insight. Consequently, the film offers respectable but not exceptional rewatch potential.

Plot

Spitfire Plot Summary

What happens in Spitfire from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

This detailed documentary explores the comprehensive history and legacy of the legendary Spitfire aircraft. Through a blend of archival footage and stunning new aerial cinematography featuring surviving Spitfires soaring over the cliffs of Dover and the landscapes of southern England, the film meticulously traces the plane’s origin. It begins with the design inspiration drawn from a Supermarine seaplane created by R. J. Mitchell, which famously secured victory in the 1931 Schneider Trophy.

To provide deeper historical context, the film incorporates clips from the 1942 production The First of the Few. In those scenes, director and lead actor Leslie Howard portrays the brilliant designer R. J. Mitchell. The narrative explains that Mitchell passed away in 1937, leaving Joseph Smith to take over as the chief designer to continue the aircraft’s evolution.

Full summary

The whole story of Spitfire, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Spitfire Box Office & Budget

Spitfire grossed $722,623 worldwide on a $1.1 million budget, 69% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$722.6K

69% of its budget back

International
$722.6K
Budget
$1.1M
Videos

Spitfire Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Spitfire.

SPITFIRE - UK TRAILER [HD] - IN CINEMAS & DIGITAL NOW
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Spitfire?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who was the designer of the original Spitfire aircraft?

Details

Spitfire Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Spitfire: The Feature Documentary” and “Spitfire: The Plane That Saved The World”.

Also known as
  • Spitfire: The Feature Documentary
  • Spitfire: The Plane That Saved The World
  • 스핏파이어
  • 喷火
  • 噴火
  • Die Spitfire – Königin der Lüfte

Seen Spitfire?

FAQ

Spitfire FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Spitfire, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Spitfire?

Spitfire runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Spitfire released?

Spitfire was released on July 15, 2018.

Who directed Spitfire?

Spitfire was directed by David Fairhead and Ant Palmer.

More films by David Fairhead

Who is in the cast of Spitfire?

Spitfire stars Charles Dance as Narrator (voice), Mary Ellis and Geoffrey Wellum.

How much did Spitfire make at the box office?

Spitfire grossed $722,623 worldwide on a budget of $1.1 million.

Does Spitfire have a post-credit scene?

No. Spitfire has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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