The feature length documentary about the famous Silver Spitfire’s global journey will debut on Sunday November 12 at 9pm on Sky History
The 90-minute documentary is directed by Benjamin Uttley, produced by Stamp Productions and Red Bull Studios.
It follows a British expeditionary team’s attempt at the world’s first circumnavigation of the Earth in an 80-year-old Spitfire Mk.IX, a test of human and mechanical endurance, considered by many to be impossible. The expedition set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation by a single seat, single engine piston aircraft. This remarkable odyssey has been dubbed by Tom Cruise as “a pilot's Everest” in a personal letter written to pilots Matt Jones and Steve Brooks.
Taking viewers inside one of the most iconic and loved aircraft ever built, pilots Matt Jones, Steve Brooks and Ian Smith MBE embark on a daring four-month odyssey, taking off from the historic Goodwood Aerodrome on the 5th of August 2019, spanning 24 countries and flying 27,000 miles - learning lessons about themselves, their home and the fragility of the borders that define our planet.
With a full orchestral score recorded by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring music by White Lies and Lily Budiasa, the film “immerses viewers across the world with breath-taking aerial vistas. Chasing the sun westward from Europe to North America, Russia, Asia, Arabia and back again, these incredible settings form the backdrop for the Silver Spitfire as it roars around the world.”
The film won the Audience Award at the Chichester International Film Festival, an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Impact Doc Awards and Official Selection at MANIFF (Manchester International Film Festival).
Benjamin Uttley, Director and Founder of Stamp Productions said: “At its heart this is a film about people, hope and courage. What connects us on a deeply personal level, and the journey itself represents what unifies humanity at a far more basic, fundamental level.”
Spitfire pilot Matt Jones added: "In 2019, we embarked on a global 'Boys Own' adventure with the Silver Spitfire to inspire and commemorate. What we experienced was terrifying and awe-inspiring in equal measure. Facing challenges at every turn, this iconic aircraft brought together people from all walks of life, uniting nations and showcasing the enduring legacy of R J Mitchell's visionary design."
