Memphis Belle

Rating:
Summary: Exhilarating action
Review: With Memphis Belle you join a B17 crew on a mission deep into Germany territory. There is a strong cast lineup, but they are somewhat restricted by an average and stereotyped script. Bearing that in mind this is still a good movie with some real breath taking action which rammed home the grim reality the war in the air was far from won for the Allies in 1943. My favourite scenes are the German fighter attacks and the bombing run under a relentless FLAK defence. This is certainly a must for any WW2 movie or aviation buff but I feel anyone will enjoy watching this movie. Definitely recommended viewing.

Rating:
Summary: Very good.
Review: Every once in a while the story saves the movie. Every once in a while the acting can be good, but the dialogue bad, and the movie still withstands. That's the case with Memphis Belle. The crew of Memphis Belle, a B-17 bomber is as predictable as a Backstreet Boys album: One's "the lady's man" while another one is the strong-willed one, one's a nerd, who everyone calls - get ready to laugh at the sheer cleverness of the screen-writer - Virgin, and one's the Louisiana farmerboy/singer. Yes, we've seen it before. Yet it withstands; maybe it's because when the film first came out all of the actors were obscure, and have since become very famous, so it's almost like a time capsule of sorts. The affects have since been wildly outdated. There's one scene in the movie where a fighter dives into a B-17, taking the tail-end off and a person falls out (No need for alarm, it's only a dummy). The affects are somewhat reminiscent of a 50s, B movie with a title like INVASION OF THE TALL, STOUT, GREEN OUTER SPACE SAUCER MEN FROM OUTER SPACE. But it still withstands. There are a few edge-of-your-seat scenes and in the end looking back over the film, one is impressed. A must for airplane enthusiasts, or Harry Connick, Jr enthusiasts (Myself included) because he sings Danny Boy on the film. A movie you'll be sure to watch over and over.

Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining.
Review: Some of the reviews here dont do this movie justice. If you want to get all hung up on technicalities, thats your business, the fact of the matter is, this is a very entertaining movie. The bombing run sequence was done extremely well and i love to watch that scene. The whole movie is great. If you haven't seen Memphis Belle before, i definetly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Poorly Done
Review: I had 2 uncles who flew in the 8th Airforce (Feb. 1944-May 1945), one, Lt. Gordon Heiser, was a Navigator on a B-24, the other, Captain Ted Heiser, was a pilot and squadron leader of B-17Gs. Based on the accounts of their experiences, I have two major criticisms of this movie: first, errors in historical detail and, second, poor character development/lame dialogue. Though the aerial combat scenes were well filmed, there are some discrepancies to point out. The first was the fighter escort ("little friends"). The movie portrayed P-51 Mustangs, which were not operational in May 1943: the Mustang did not appear in Europe until Dec. 1943. In the movie, it was funny to see them turning back because the Mustang was design specifically to take the "heavies" all the way to Germany and back! Man! Couldn't anyone dig up some P-47 Thunderbolts, or P-38s! Also, the Bf 109 had wrong theater of operation markings, i.e., white fusalage band, which was used in the Mediteranean Theater, instead of yellow rudder and cowling of the European theater. This is small beer, but they are noticable details of the movies inacurracies. The biggest problem, however, is the poor character development and lame dialogue. The characters were 2-dimensional partly because of the unconvincing dialogue. For instance, I agree with one reviewer: there is no way that 2 waste-gunners would be fighting over a pasted sign concerning sexual prowess, or fighting about a good-luck medalion in the midst of a fighter attack. It was laughable because the screen play was so unbelievably stupid. In all, a poor tribute to the veterans of the 8th/9th Airforce. Saving Private Ryan and 12 O'Clock High are much better movies.

Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing
Review: As the old saying goes, the makers of this film didn't let facts or realism get in the way. Speaking of the movie crew, not the real one, how they survived 25 missions is beyond me. They fought each other more than they did the 109s. In the scenes showing formations of B-17s one hears a cello concert instead of the rumble of all those piston engines. Inside the cockpit, the crew appears to be sitting in their living rooms listening to serene music, so quiet and relaxing. While under attack by ME-109s two waist gunners fight with each other because of a "kick me" type sign one pastes on the others back. Radio chatter sounds as if coming through a modern amplifier and speakers, totally unrealistic. This film did an injustice to the real Memphis Belle and her crew. This film did not draw the viewer in, he is merely a spectator watching a fantasy. The mission seemed like a fun jaunt that we would all enjoy going on. A "Saving Private Ryan" it is not. For a much better film of this genre, try the 1962 B&W "Warlover" with Steve McQueen and Robert Wagner. These were real B-17s, not models. Excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: Memphis Belle is my favirote movie of all time. It has been my favirote movie since i was six. The great cast and great story makes this film a real winner. It is a great aviation and WW2 movie. Anybody that likes either of these kinds of movies will love Memphis Belle.

Rating:
Summary: Moving and Entertaining
Review: This movie - although not 100% accurate (it's only a movie), was entertaining. It left me thinking about soldiers who fight wars, fly planes and kill "enimies", and what they must go through physically and mentally. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and made me feel like I really cared about what happened to these characters. It was well done, and takes you on a journey back to WWII. I recommend this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Well done, but not about the real Belle
Review: This great movie is a must see for anyone interested in air war films. Memphis Belle is up there on my list of favorites right beside "The Triumph and the Glory", a great '99 hit novel about a B17 pilot and the classic Korean War film, "The Bridges of Toko-Ri".

Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE!
Review: This is by far the finest aviation movie I have ever seen. I recommend it without hesitation!

Rating:
Summary: Incredible!
Review: This is one of the best WWII movies I've ever seen! Once you start watching it, you can't stop. You lean forward in anticipation and become enthralled with the action and intense conditions that are going on around you. Once you watch it, you'll never feel the same about those who flew in war. You have more respect for the terrifying world they were thrust into during their time in the air. You realize that those who flew should be highly respected for their brave spirits and nerves of steel, because ot seems that what they went through must have been harder than we can even imagine. This movie puts into perspective all that and more. It will touch you.