User reviews

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.

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.

I found the film interesting, despite the early statement, that Paddy was a term of endearment in England, when quite the opposite was in fact true. Irish neutrality is a badge of honor, We were a newly independent state in 1922 and freeing ourselves from British imperialism . This Imperialism which the sun was supposed to never set, still had India and many other country's under its none democratic thumb The black & tans /British army which had terrorized Ireland was fresh in the memory, the Famine less than a hundred years past, What Britons seem to forget is that Winston Churchill only had a problem with Fascism when it endangered the Empire. Mohatma Gandi was seen more of a danger, It is true that many Irish men and women choose to fight Fascism for economical and ideological reasons. Britain and France had turned its back on the Spanish Republic, In 1939 Britain found itself in the last chance saloon, History would be thankful that they choose to fight Fascism after sacrificing Czechoslovakia and then Poland. In 1939 Ireland was left with Hopson's choice between the iron heel and the lions den.

Having read some of the reviews here I am not sure we are talking about the same movie.came across this film by accident and never heard of the protagonist, it should of been a great movie, seems it was filmed to look like an old film which it succeeds in doing, but the flight scenes are absolutely awful and seem to be out of focus most of the time and the acting is not great. Story line is ok I guess but could have been better written.

Seems like it was shot on a very low budget which is a shame as having an interest in all WW2 stuff I was hoping it was going to be great shame it didn't live up to my hopes, it's a shame they didn't have a higher budget.

I have just watched The Shamrock Spitfire on DVD. This is clearly a film made on a budget. The story of the youngest Wing Commander in the history of the RAF is a story that must be told, however it deserves a much better film than this Some of the flying scenes are good,but some are akin to something out of a computer game. Most of the acting is extremely poor indeed. Sophia Eleni's performance as a nurse is truly terrible.

Music score for the film is good and great credit must go to singer Tina Law and The Gary Allcock Trio,who can be heard at the engagement party scene and at various points throughout the film.

The film is watchable,but spoilt by poor acting performances throughout.

Just finished watching the excellent "Masters of the Air" with constant prompts to watch the Shamrock Spitfire. So I paid my money, poured a Coke Zero and settled back onto my recliner for what I thought would be some excellent entertainment. Seriously struggled through the first 40 minutes and had to turn it off. Terrible acting, terrible script , terrible props and terribly constructed story line. Some of the aerial fight scenes were very good but not enough to keep my interest.

Perhaps I was spoilt because I watched it in the wake of "Masters of the Air". Perhaps if I had reversed the order I might have been entertained. But I wasn't!

Don't waste your money or time!

Certainly deserving of a higher rating than around 5

Especially as it's a film based on a true story about a real World War 2 brave fighter pilot. Yes it's a low budget movie and the acting was just average but the battle scenes were okay

What worked for me the most was I knew nothing before watching this about Paddy Finucane so it was educational and I think we need to see more films about little known hero's like him from from both World Wars as it's important that there are permanent reminders to all what these brave men and woman sacrificed for our freedom

So well done to the film makers here who brought his story to the screen.

Everything about it gives the vibe that the directors and whoever else was apart of making this movie dislikes Britain very much and it's very uncomfortable. Don't watch this if you want an accurate representation of the Battle of Britain or any dogfighting of that matter. The CGI is shocking and some of the normal shots outside of the plane just look awful due to bad editing. Absolute mess of a movie and with such a good story they could've and should've done much better. It just all feels like a rushed chucked together stretched out film where they dig at Britain as much as possible I am very disappointed.

Yes the film is on a tight budget, actors I have never heard of, some dodge CGI mind you not as bad as Die Another Day.

I had never heard of Brendan Finucane before, I live near Hornchurch and never knew their was a wing based their.

The best thing about this film was the "Story" a true story, I learnt some info about Spits and a lot about Hornchurch and loads about this amazing young man.

To lose his life the way he did, heartbreaking even worse for Bluie who lost his life after the war doing a training mission.

The battle scenes are Ok, yes it's not Top Gun Marvel quality and maybe some shots are not the right spits But it's a decent film, not perfect, but does not deserve the hate.

Maybe this film is about the past and what we can learn from it, the youth of today should remember this: "For your tomorrow, We gave our today" This is why we must never forget the sacrifice these men and women made for us to have our freedom today.

The Shamrock Spitfire is a highly commendable film. It tells the story of Flying Ace Wg Cdr Brendan Finucane the youngest Wing Commander in the history of the RAF.

First off, no this isn't a big Hollywood studio pic, it's a modest indie film from the UK. But what the filmmakers have achieved is stunning. Visually the film bursts with colour - how sick are you that sickly green/ yellow colour palette every other modern movie has today? And it has a story that holds you. A beautiful and fitting tribute to a courageous young man.

Hollywood, please take note.

The Shamrock Spitfire, a film that has a whole lot of of heart and passion - just like the man himself.

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.

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!

Wing Commander Brendan "Paddy" Finucane was one of the distinguished fighter aces of WW2, yet today he's been all but forgotten, but for the most avid aviation fanatic.

As this visually stunning and very moving film shows, he was a remarkable young man (the youngest Wing Commander ever to serve in the RAF). Under the adept direction of Dominic and Ian Higgins, the cast delivers commendable performances breathing life into Finucane's story.

The battle sequences are nothing short of breathtaking, capturing the chaos, intensity, and adrenaline of wartime. I found myself physically drained just from watching them-it was as if I were right there in the thick of the action. The music score is another standout, adding a layer of emotional power without overpowering the scenes.

I have read that the filmmakers wanted to hark back to an earlier time of filmmaking, and I would say they have achieved that, it felt like a movie from the "golden age" of cinema, a classic war time weepy - yes, you'll need a hanky or too when you watch it!

A great film about a great man.

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 Shamrock Spitfire" is a standout war drama that deserves top marks. Directors Dominic and Ian Higgins deliver a gripping and historically accurate portrayal of Brendan "Paddy" Finucane, the youngest Wing Commander in RAF history. Shane O'Regan shines in the lead role, capturing both the heroism and humanity of Finucane.

The film's direction and cinematography are superb, especially the breathtaking aerial combat scenes that feel intensely real. The production's attention to detail in period settings really immerses the viewer in the 1940s wartime atmosphere.

With its compelling narrative, strong performances, and high production quality, "The Shamrock Spitfire" is not just entertaining but also deeply inspirational. It's a must-watch for history buffs and general audiences alike.

I'd say im not sure why people are being so hard on this movie but i know why, its because our modern cgi society has expectations of megalithic eye candy melodrama & really doesnt have the heart to approach a subject like WW2 without it being a spectacle instead of autobiography. I pulled back tears many times & perhaps its because i associated with the individual & the family the movie primarily revolves around but i found it to be a sentimental experience that more than paid reverence for the subject matter. Granted it had an England-centric narrative that was a bit heavy handed & at times a bit hard to swallow as authentic, but what country isnt patriotic about its own history. In no way was i let down in being transported into the history of this war & felt a sense of mourning for the men who were lost fighting back the devil.

Being old school I much prefer the old style film format. Proper credits at the beginning, then the story itself and end credits accompanied by the music.

I'm, frankly, amazed that I had never heard of "Spitfire Paddy" before and I'm wondering if this story was deliberately buried during and after the war quite simply because an Irishman chose to fight for the British at that point in history.

The early scenes back in Ireland in 1932 set the tale up very nicely and among the many wonderful cinematic touches throughout was the reminder of one of these scenes as the film draws to its conclusion.

Along the way we were treated to a veritable feast of Cinematography including some truly memorable moments when time appeared to stand still. The haunting music score was especially effective in the quieter scenes and then superbly enhanced the aerial action.

I'm sure with a bigger budget the CGI could have been more spectacular but in this film it doesn't matter one jot. All we need to see is that "Paddy" was up there amidst all the mayhem leading his men and creating havoc for the enemy.

I'm giving this film 10/10 which is remarkable considering I have never heard of anyone connected with it other than one of the three composers, Lorne Balfe. Strangely, as of now, no music credit is shown here in the IMDB.

The filmmakers did exactly what they set out to do, to tell us about this remarkable hero who, had he been British, would have been as well known as Douglas Bader.

It's one of those films that come along very occasionally with no fanfare but very worthwhile.

Every Irish man and woman should be proud. I'll raise a glass or two to "Paddy" tonight and add an extra one for the filmmakers.

Not too good acting but passable but the story gets dragged out and much is not relevant. Ther is not real time line so you really don't get a sense of prgression of the character which is not very well defined. CGI is poor and my own pet hate is if you re going to use CGI at least get the aircraft models right. The BF109s were Buchons aka battle of britain 1969 and the supposed spitfires were all over the place and non had cannons during the battle. I know this is pedantic but it just is sloppy if you are doing it with CGI. I really am annoyed by the insistence of IMDB to have reviews over 600 chars - puts me off reveiwing.