The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress

About The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress

"The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress" is a war documentary about the 25th and final mission of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress named Memphis Belle during World War II. Directed by William Wyler, it was released in 1944 and showcases the courage and endurance of the American and Allied forces. The movie features actual flight footage and gives an unprecedented, inside view of a B-17 bomber aircraft in combat.

Making / Production

Directed by the then Major William Wyler, the movie was a product of distorted yet real flight footage. Wyler and his crew flew on several combat missions on B-17 bombers to capture actual in-flight combat situations. The mission documented in the film was the last one for the 'Memphis Belle' crew who were then allowed to return home after a complete tour of duty.

Actors

• Stanley Wray as The Captain/ Pilot - His stoic and impressive portrayal forms the crux of the cinematic experience.
• Robery J. Hanson as The Bombardier - His performance is fitting as he handles the high-pressure situations convincingly.
• Vincent B. Evans as The Tail Gunner - Playing the risky part comes naturally to Evans, adding to the edginess of the narrative.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was made in active warzones, with the director and crew risking their lives to record the footage.
• The Memphis Belle aircraft is now restored and displayed at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
• William Wyler went deaf in one ear during a filming mission due to lack of pressurization in cabins of those times.

Quotes

• "I see it's cloudy over the North Sea... and our fighter escort doesn't show up."
• "The ground crew, each man perhaps in love with a different one of those motors, has their fingers crossed."

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack for the film was composed by the famed Gail Kubik and greatly adds to the wartime atmosphere.
• The background score is haunting yet uplifting, fitting perfectly with the documentary's tone.