Memphis Belle

They've flown 24 perilous missions.  Now there's only one thing keeping the flyboys of the B-17 Memphis Belle from going home to a hero's welcome:  mission 25, a daylight raid that's their most dangerous ever.  Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket) heads the dynamic star cast of Memphis Belle, an acclaimed, high-flying adventure inspired by true-life World War II heroics, Legendary director William Wyler, who flew five battle runs in the famed Flying Fortress, first told the Memphis Belle's story in a 1944 documentary.  Using that as inspiration, producers David Puttnam (Chariots Of Fire) and Catherine Wyler (William's daughter) scoured the world to find enough operable B-17's to give their movie wings.  They found five of the now-rare aircraft, along with 13 other vintage planes.  These airborne marvels are joined with impressive model work, wartime footage and a stirring story of the guts and teamwork required when the flak gets so thick you can walk on it.  The result is a movie that soars.  With the courage of men who took to the skies in the world's darkest hour.

Running time 107 mins.  Warner Home Video 1990  Rated PG-13

Personal Rating:

I have always been a fan of true wartime documentaries and films.  I was not disappointment with this movie.  I truly enjoyed it.  Billy Zane in a mustache, in uniform and a flight jacket was the icing on the cake.  :-)

On a scale of 1-10, I give it a 10