Strong and Moving!

Simply A Masterpiece

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

World War II and as the battle for the skies rages, the youthful crew of B-17 Bomber Memphis Belle embark on their 25th and final mission...David Puttnam co-produces with Catherine Wyler and Michael Caton-Jones directs this poignant and gripping WWII story. The crew of "Belle" are made up of a youth inflected cast of actors headed by the likes of Eric Stoltz, Sean Astin, Billy Zane and Matthew Modine, while John Lithgow and David Strathairn provide the mature acting weight on the ground hoping that the boys come back safely.In truth it's all a bit too predictable, but never insultingly so, though research into the real exploits of the brave heroes involved reveals that Hollywood has, well, been Hollywood. Tech credits are a mixture of the brilliant and the poor, but when it involves the aerial sequences the film is stunning, and the makers do a sterling job of making "Belle's" final flight suspenseful and emotionally potent. 6.5/10

It's 1943. B-17 bomber Memphis Belle and her crew goes on their 25th and final mission over Germany. They are aiming to be the first squad to finish 25 missions ending their tour.The actors playing the crew include Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, Tate Donovan, D.B. Sweeney, Billy Zane, Sean Astin, and Harry Connick Jr. The movie tries to give all 10 members of the crew individual characteristics and their own screen time. They are mostly well-acted but generally uncompelling.It's an old fashion kind of war movie. The flight is fictionalized from many bomber war stories. There are a lot of minor inaccuracies. At least, its heart is in the right place. It is nice to see some real bombers at work. The effects is reasonable for the times although it's a bit old fashion. It's a dramatization rather than a documentary.

What prompted me to write this review 20 years after I saw the movie in the theater was listening to an interview withy Catherine Wyler on the ICONS Radio network. I have had the DVD for many years.The Wyler father and daughter came full circle with this movie - made 47 years later from the original Memphis Belle documentary.It was famous because a crew-member in the 8th AAF had a 1 in 3 chance of being killed or seriously wounded before the required 25 sorties were complete. The Memphis Belle was the first plane - and crew - to accomplish this.Catherine stated that her desire in this movie as to detail each of the drew members.I believe that the movie really detailed the life - in 24 hours - of a B17 crew member, with fear and boredom.

World War II has many memories in it's huge archives. But the ones which stand out in an audience's mind are the ones which recall family members who actually experienced them. This movie " Memphis Belle " reaches deep into the human Psyche and rekindles a plethora of war time conflicts. The actors chosen for this masterpiece are incredible as they superbly resurrect the dangerous era of the courageous men and their historic aircraft. Matthew Modine plays Capt. Dennis Dearborn, a stern commander who exhibits a tough veiner, but is inwardly aware and concern with every man in his crew. Tate Donovan is Lt. Sinclair, anxious to experience bravery as a necessary element to achieve fame. However when the war touches him, he realizes, it's not as glorious as he imagined. Eric Stoltz, D.B. Sweeney, Billy Zane, Sean Astin, Harry Connick Jr., Reed Diamond, Courtney Gains and Neil Giuntoli play the crew. Rounding out the cast, adding prestige and enhancing the over-all story are David Strathairn and John Lithgow. Together, this superior ensemble and the dramatic talent of the special effects specialists allowed the 'Belle' to rise center stage and display its last wartime flight. The result is nothing short of extraordinary. Behind the men and their plane is the memory of the thousands of brave airmen who gave their lives for their country. In short, their sacrifice becomes the lasting monument which continues to this day as a lasting tribute to our freedom. A great film which is sure to become a military Classic. Highly recommended! ****