The Shamrock Spitfire

As someone who has a keen interest in the war in the air during WW2, (my late father flew Lancasters), I need no second invitation to watch a film on the subject.

In spite of my interest, I had never heard of Brendan "Paddy" Finucane or his remarkable story, a young half Irish lad with a longheld ambition to fly, decides to get involved in a war that he could easily have avoided. He defied his father, prejudice and instead relied on his unwavering belief and fighting spirit to become the youngest ever Wing Commander in the RAF aged just 21 and not surprisingly was highly decorated for his achievements.

It is clear that The Shamrock Spitfire is on a budget and whilst Shane O'Regan does a decent enough job in the lead role, the air action sequences are akin to a computer game plus inaccuracies are regular. Battle of. Britain sequences featuring Mk IX Spits - nah! All too often, senior RAF officers looked wistfully skyward as a flight of aircraft passed over them, it's as though the film makers couldn't concoct anything more and this was a shame.

So why 6/10? The story, pure an simple - it really is compelling. I just wish I could have given a score of 9 because the film matched it.

This is a very well told story of 'Brendan "Paddy" Finucane. An Irishman, who at the age of only 21, became the youngest wing commander in the history of the Royal airforce.

The Higgins brothers have done a fantastic piece of work here. Good CGI and decent acting throughout have contributed to a story that should've told long before this.

Brendan must have faced many prejudices in simply coming from a background where his father was a staunch Irishman who's beliefs were very much against the English crown.

This makes the story of the 'Shamrock Spitfire all the more remarkable.

I'd urge people to give this a watch. You won't be disappointed.

The best part of the movie is the story and acting., and that's all that's good. They skipped getting a script writer, because the scenes are piecemeal. There isn't a singular view. I would've expected a movie about a very successful pilot to have focused on him mostly, though the story focuses on everything. The sound design had the sounds, though the sounds didn't usually match up to the screen. The lighting was washing out the scene in a lot of frames. The fight scenes did a good show of a "furball" but it's hard to track who is doing what. And the special effects are OK, though it's easy to tell. The biggest issue is the director and producer not having a point to focus on. Great idea for a story, mediocre execution, and not worth renting, wait until it's free and you're in a couch hole.

Sure it's low budget, unknown actors, tries to get lots of context into the story, relies on cheap but effective visuals and is'nt up its own backside.

Simple, straightforward, not making points about stuff that's got nothing to do with anything.

Reminds me of a 1950's movie where you watch and munch the popcorn and have an enjoyable tale told well that keeps up the pace and interest till the end of the show. The acting was good, just playing their parts.

I got really bored with planet of the apes,dune and other mega long, shiny, squillion dollar movies as they repeat the same story and the semi ok stars dominate...I want movies like this.... Honest film making!

Considering the low budget and made by an independent company, this is a pretty impressive film. It covers the early life, through to the Battle of Britain experience of Brendan Finucane. Yes there is CGI but considering the cost to hire and fly real Spitfires or even build one, the CGI elements are fine. There is plenty of action, and at times some graphic scenes but not over the top.

I recommend the film, especially if your interested in the history of the period. It doesn't bog you down with statistics, but specifically focuses on Finucane, his squadron and at times his family. If your interested in a very brief history between Ireland and Britain then that box is ticked also.