SKY HISTORY TO PREMIERE FEATURE-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FOLLOWING THE WORLD’S FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE EARTH IN AN 80-YEAR-OLD SPITFIRE
PRESS RELEASE - London, England (17th October 2023) – The 90-minute documentary, SILVER SPITFIRE: THE LONGEST FLIGHT is directed by Benjamin Uttley, produced by Stamp Productions and Red Bull Studios and has been acquired by Sky HISTORY.
SILVER SPITFIRE: THE LONGEST FLIGHT is a feature-length documentary following a British expeditionary team’s attempt at the world’s first circumnavigation of the Earth in an 80-year-old Spitfire fighter plane, 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 (see Editor’s Notes). 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 aircrafts 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 5th August 2019, spanning 26 countries and flying 46,000 kilometres - learning lessons about themselves, their home and the fragility of the borders that define our planet. With a stunning full orchestral score recorded by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (see Editor’s Notes for link) and featuring music by White Lies and Lily Budiasa, the film immerses viewers in 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, Outstanding achievement at the Impact Doc Awards and Official Selection at MANIFF [Manchester International Film Festival].
The official companion coffee table book with words from Matt Jones and the team with stills by Ben Uttley will be available to buy in November. The preface is written by Dermot O’Leary and the foreword is written by Tim Peake.
SILVER SPITFIRE: THE LONGEST FLIGHT is produced by Benjamin Uttley for Stamp Productions, and executive produced by Martyn Black for Stamp Productions, Bernadette McDaid and Dominique Cutts for Red Bull Studios and Matt Jones for Spitfires.com.
International sales will be handled by Blue Ant International.
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."
ENDS
BIOGRAPHIES:
MATT JONES (Spitfire & PC-12 Pilot)
Matt first took to the skies while in the RAF CCF section at Exeter School where he flew chipmunks. After studying Civil Engineering at Newcastle University and working for an investment bank in London, he saw the light and made plans for a career in aviation. He went to the USA where he acquired his first private and professional licenses and, on his return, converted to the European versions. Matt’s first experience of classic aircraft was in Gore in New Zealand where he converted to the Tiger Moth, his first taildragger and at that point hoped but never really dreamed it would be possible to fly vintage aircraft such as the Spitfire, but fortune shone on him meaning he had the ultimate opportunity to start Flying this beloved aircraft in 2010. He is now a Spitfire display pilot and instructor. Matt is also the Founder and Managing Director of Spitfires.com, from where he dreamt up this expedition.
STEVE BROOKS (Spitfire Pilot)
An avid explorer and helicopter pilot who has traveled to over 150 countries and set new records: in 2001, Steve designed and drove the world’s first land-based vehicle across the Bering Strait from America to Russia and in 2004 became the first person to fly a helicopter from Pole to Pole. Involved in property development and investment since 1987, Steve owns and manages BoultbeeL DN, a quality investment and development portfolio of office and retail property. Steve is also founder and joint owner of clean tech company, Synergy Energy, which was set up in 2011 to invest time and capital into new technologies and businesses which efficiently and sustainably generate, store, or reduce the use of energy.
IAN SMITH (PC-12 & Spitfire Pilot)
Ian ‘Smithy’ Smith joined the RAF as a pilot at the age of 17, following in his father’s footsteps. On completion of flying training, he was posted to RAF Gütersloh in Germany flying the giant CH-47 Chinook helicopter. Despite only being a two-year tour, he was deployed to both Northern Ireland and the Falkland Islands. In the early 90’s Smithy became a flying instructor in Yorkshire for a couple of years before completing further training and thereafter posted to the Jaguar at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk. He spent a total of 13 years in Norfolk all bar a brief three-year break to fly with the Red Arrows at RAF Cranwell. The Jaguar came to an end in 2007 at RAF Coningsby ending Smithy’s 14 year and just shy of 2000 hours love affair with the aircraft. Whilst at RAF Coningsby he started flying with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and assumed Command for three years in 2010, describing the experience as the pinnacle of his life, let alone RAF career! On leaving the RAF after 30 years, Smithy spent two years with the Blades Aerobatics Team before joining Richard Lake to fly not only his Jetstream 41 with Eastern Airways but also his two spitfires. A chance encounter with an old RAF friend and the chance of a Typhoon cockpit seduced him back into the RAF. Whilst Smithy did fly Typhoon, he didn’t fancy the turmoil of re-joining a front-line squadron and accepted that an old fighter pilot one day must hang up his ‘wings.’ Smithy continues to fly spitfires and hurricanes in the civil sector so not entirely grounded. His spare time is consumed with his two bearded collies, fast cars and bikes, clay shooting, beer and sleeping.
LACHLAN MONRO (Project Director)
Lachlan is a former British Army Officer and entrepreneur with 20 years’ experience managing complex businesses in frontier markets around the world. He has always been interested in all things flying: his childhood was immersed in aviation as his father was a career pilot, military and civilian, and so the opportunity to be involved in something where he could combine all his skills and knowledge of managing complex operations, his love of travel and the ultimate flying adventure, was irresistible. Lachlan managed the operational and commercial aspects of the trip. This includes implementing a wide variety of partnerships, commercial and non-commercial, devising the logistics plan and pulling all aspects together to try and ensure as smooth an expedition as possible!
GERRY JONES (Chief Engineer)
Gerry or Gerallt to his fellow Welshmen, was born in North Wales. Having spent his early years with his father, who was a mechanic and his uncle, who was a farmer, a practical and hands-on career was the only way forward. Gerry started his apprenticeship in aircraft engineering at Caernarfon Airport when he was just 16 years old, 3 days after leaving school. As part of his apprenticeship, Gerry studied Aeronautical Engineering at Deeside College in Flintshire. At Caernarfon, Gerry worked on a variety of general aviation aircraft, including a DH 89 Dragon Rapide. This is also where he had his first flight in a Spitfire. December 1999 saw a big move from Wales to the South Coast of England to work for Goodwood Aircraft Engineering.
About Sky HISTORY
Sky HISTORY is the flagship brand of the A+E Networks® EMEA portfolio which is made up of true crime channel Crime + Investigation®; Sky HISTORY2® and free to air channel BLAZE®. Sky HISTORY is available in the UK on Sky, Virgin and on streaming service NOW. www.SkyHistory.co.uk
About A+E Networks EMEA
At A+E Networks EMEA, we share stories that matter everywhere, anywhere. A leader in factual entertainment, our compelling, award-winning content connects with millions across the UK, Nordics, Benelux, Germany, Italy, Spain, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Our portfolio of premium brands – The HISTORY® Channel, Crime + Investigation®, HISTORY2®, BLAZE®, and COSMO TV® – inspire and excite viewers with hit franchises (Forged in Fire), must-see dramas (Vikings) and original commissions (The Hunt for Baltic Gold and Ross Kemp: Shipwreck Treasure Hunter). Our stories are global and local, linear, and digital, and always compelling. With offices in London, Rome, Madrid, Warsaw, Munich, and Johannesburg, we are a truly international company that celebrates difference and diversity.
About Benjamin Uttley
Benjamin is a filmmaker and storyteller. He founded Stamp Productions in 2008, a film production company that creates branded content and documentaries. Ben founded Stamp to bring great storytelling and technical skill together to connect audiences emotionally and authentically with a narrative. Acting credits include The Four Feathers, Captain America, The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, Skins and TV comedy My Family. At Stamp, Ben produces, writes, and directs inspiring content with a team of experts’ contribution to award-winning work for global brands, agencies and rights holders including Octopus, Honda, Land Rover, and The British & Irish Lions. The company’s content has reached billions of people around the world. Ben is an experienced documentary filmmaker having embedded with The British & Irish Lions on three tours to South Africa 2009, Australia 2013, and New Zealand 2017.
About Stamp Productions
The B Corp content production studio delivering better work, in a better way. Storytelling as a force for good. Stamp works exclusively with companies that have the power and will to shape a positive future. Deep and long-term work that grows and engages audiences whilst having impact.
About Red Bull Studios:
Red Bull Studios (RBS) is the independent film and television studio arm of Red Bull with a focus on creating inspiring stories that empower individuals to unleash the potential of human achievement in sports, culture and beyond. RBS finances, produces and distributes a wide range of premium nonfiction programming with the industry's leading filmmakers and distributors. Red Bull Studios is behind the BAFTA and Rose d’or award-winning documentary THE REAL MO FARAH, the Nelson Mandela documentary THE MOMENT which recently won the Venice TV Awards’ Best Sports documentary, Emmy award-winning documentary, THE ALPINIST and THE DAWN WALL, winner of the SXSW 2018 Audience Award. Upcoming titles include REGGAE GIRLZ about Jamaica’s Women Soccer team, directed by two-time Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton, RIDERS ON THE STORM, DAKAR and THE FLIGHT OF BRYAN.
About Spitfires.com
Based at Goodwood Aerodrome, the company is dedicated to Spitfires.com is the world leading subject matter expert on the Supermarine Spitfire offering Spitfire flight training, Spitfire flight experiences, Spitfire simulator experiences and Spitfire engineering. The company is dedicated to keeping Spitfires flying in commemoration of those who designed, built, maintained, and flew them in World War II.
