Memphis Belle

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Memphis Belle

PG-13,

1990,

1h 48m,

War

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68%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

At a U.S. Army Air Force base in England, the crew members of B-17 bomber Memphis Belle prepare for their 25th and final sortie into enemy German territory. Bomber Capt. Dennis Dearborn (Matthew Modine) knows the mission is a dangerous one, but he's under pressure from Army public relations man Lt. Col. Bruce Derringer (John Lithgow) to earn a decisive victory for the Allies. Now, the Memphis Belle prepares to take flight as apprehension and dissention grow among Dearborn's crew.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

Unashamedly commercial. Its moral fabric is thinner than that of other David Puttnam productions.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Sensitive, gripping, oddly old-fashioned cinema.

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

May 20, 2003

The direction by Michael Caton-Jones' is undistinguished here, but the material is not great.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Oct 26, 2022

Memphis Belle is worth watching, although this odyssey deserved better. [Full review in Spanish]

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Oct 14, 2019

With a surging sound track reminiscent of Chariots of Fire, it is a simplistic tale of fun-loving lads who learn that war is hell.

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Burl Burlingame

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Feb 8, 2019

2.5/4

What's memorable about the film is the high degree of accuracy. There are a number of gaffes, due primarily to filmmaking compromises.

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May 29, 2018

Perfect movie based on a true story and has a perfect representation of ww2 pilots

Ron S

Oct 28, 2017

Under-rated...but then historical and too real for our ADHD society.

Albus W

Oct 5, 2017

Kind of a mix between The Deer Hunter and Platoon, but being about the airmen and not soldiers while being less critical.

Draco S

May 1, 2017

Have loved this movie since I saw it at the cinema all those years ago. I've seen it many, many times since. Yes it might be a little corny in places and not terribly historically acurate at times, but the acting is decent, its exciting and quite moving at times. I still love it and I still hold my breath every time until they get the wheel down!!

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Draco M

Apr 7, 2012

Brutal and nostalgic.

George P

Oct 3, 2007

1943. The air war over Germany is at its zenith. In the 8th Air Force is a B-17 bomber whose crew are about to complete their 25th mission, the first to do so. After this mission they will be rotated back to the US on a marketing drive. However, their 25th mission is far from a milk run and they will need all the skill and luck they can muster to back it back alive. Great WW2 drama, based on a true story. Loosely based, I might add - the actual story is immortalised in William Wyler's 1944 documentary "The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress". Some license has been taken with the details but it still makes for a gritty drama. Broad plot is straightforward, with a few Hollywoodisms. However is very engaging, as you get to meet and understand the characters who make up the crew. You see the dangers they face and the high chance of not making it back. Quite intriguing too, as nothing is certain. Great aerial and action scenes, and this is where the movie truly shines. Using actual B-17s makes for a wonderful level of authenticity. Solid performances all round from a decent cast: Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, Tate Donovan, DB Sweeney, Harry Connick Jr, Billy Zane, Sean Astin, David Strathairn and John Lithgow, among others. Riveting viewing.

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Michael Caton-Jones

Director

Matthew Modine

Capt. Dearborn

Eric Stoltz

Sgt. Danny "Danny Boy" Daly

Tate Donovan

1st Lt. Luke Sinclair

D.B. Sweeney

Lt. Phil Lowenthal

Billy Zane

Lt. Val "Valentine" Kozlowski

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Synopsis

At a U.S. Army Air Force base in England, the crew members of B-17 bomber Memphis Belle prepare for their 25th and final sortie into enemy German territory. Bomber Capt. Dennis Dearborn (Matthew Modine) knows the mission is a dangerous one, but he's under pressure from Army public relations man Lt. Col. Bruce Derringer (John Lithgow) to earn a decisive victory for the Allies. Now, the Memphis Belle prepares to take flight as apprehension and dissention grow among Dearborn's crew.

Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Producer: David Puttnam, Catherine Wyler
Production Co: Warner Bros., Enigma Films, BSB
Rating: PG-13
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.5M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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