The BBC's new drama First Light, based on Geoffrey Wellum's memoir of his experiences as a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain, has been praised as a masterpiece. The film, which aired on BBC Two to mark the 70th anniversary of the battle, tells the story of an 18-year-old thrust into the brutal aerial combat of World War II.
Producer Matthew Whiteman described the project as a dream come true but noted the significant challenges in recreating the flying sequences. The production team had access to a real Spitfire but could not use it for actor Sam Heughan, who plays 'Boy Wellum', due to safety and cost concerns. Instead, they combined a replica Spitfire, a converted two-seater YAK trainer, and CGI-enhanced footage from the 1969 film Battle of Britain.
Whiteman highlighted the logistical hurdles, including matching the paint schemes of different aircraft and coordinating locations. The replica Spitfire was eventually transported to sit alongside the real one, and a friendly pilot allowed Heughan to film in the back cockpit of a YAK trainer fitted with HD mini-cameras. The real Spitfire, equipped with a camera on the pilot's helmet, provided point-of-view shots.
The entire drama, including all flying scenes, was shot in just nine days. Whiteman credited first assistant director Chris Carreras, whose experience includes the Bourne films and United 93, for orchestrating the tight schedule. Carreras had warned the team they would need to be '100% lucky' with weather and other variables.
Geoffrey Wellum, now in his 80s, did not visit the set but has seen the finished film. The drama has been widely acclaimed for its emotional depth and historical accuracy, capturing the mental toll of combat on young pilots.
