X
- 1990
- PG-13
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 47 m
- 1990
- PG-13
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 47 m
Summary In 1943, the crew of a B-17 based in UK prepares for its 25th and last bombing mission over Germany before returning home to the USA.
Directed By: Michael Caton-Jones
Written By: Monte Merrick
- 1990
- PG-13
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 47 m
- 1990
- PG-13
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 47 m
Memphis Belle
59
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
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Where to Watch
Summary In 1943, the crew of a B-17 based in UK prepares for its 25th and last bombing mission over Germany before returning home to the USA.
Directed By: Michael Caton-Jones
Written By: Monte Merrick
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 24 Critic Reviews
59
50% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
50% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 24 Critic Reviews
59
50% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
50% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Memphis Belle is a great movie of men in combat, and the bonding it provides. At the same time, it shows the awful face of war so quietly that it speaks with great volume. [12 Oct 1990, p.3F]
Memphis Belle (the title is the name of the plane) doesn't soar. But it does serve as an entertaining historical account similar to the baseball scandal of Eight Men Out or the Olympic glory of Chariots of Fire (no surprise, since co-producer David Puttnam also did Fire). [12 Oct 1990, p.4D]
Inspired by real-life events covered in Wyler's WWII documentary The Memphis Belle, this David Puttnam production may not be the most original movie around, but at least Caton-Jones steers through the stock situations with verve and panache.
A sentimental drama that's 'good in the air' and something of a throwback to war films of old.
The B-17 was a machine designed to accomplish a specific task, and so is Memphis Belle. The mission of this movie is to provoke a strong but narrow range of emotions in the viewer. It may succeed, but its mechanical nature is never in doubt. [12 Oct 1990, p.C]
All of the actors acquit themselves admirably, especially Stolz, who has a star's low-key magnetism, and the jazz stylist Harry Connick Jr., who makes his acting debut here as the drawling rear gunner. But the roles are too generic for anything like real depth. The fight scenes are about what you'd expect; they're competently shot, but even when they deliver thrills, every scene, every passage, is familiar. We've seen it all before.
Monte Merrick's script is an unspectacular, cliche-riddled voyage from start to finish, with everyone lugging their own tote-bags of facile character idiosyncrasies.
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Production Company
Enigma Productions,
Fujisankei Communication Group,
British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB),
County Natwest Ventures
Release Date Oct 12, 1990
Duration 1 h 47 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline Brave young men who rode on the wings of victory.
Awards
Evening Standard British Film Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
British Society of Cinematographers
• 1 Nomination
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Nomination
