Memphis Belle

In May of 1943, the crew aboard the Memphis Belle, a B-17 bomber for the U.S. Army Air Force stationed in England, find themselves grounded due to their aircraft undergoing repairs. During this time, they await the safe return of their fellow comrades from a daylight bombing mission over Europe. Thankfully, all aircraft eventually make it back to the airfield; however, tragedy strikes when the last returning plane crashes upon landing, resulting in the loss of all on board. That evening, at a celebratory party, Army publicist Lt. Colonel Bruce Derringer announces that the crew of the Belle is about to complete their momentous twenty-fifth and final mission, making them the first to achieve this milestone in the entire air force. Derringer has grand plans for a celebration upon their return, but base commander Colonel Craig Harriman opposes this, wishing to avoid favoritism.

The ten-man crew includes:

• Captain Dennis Dearborn (Matthew Modine), a humorless perfectionist who named the aircraft after his girlfriend and is often teased by his crew for his strict demeanor.
• 1st Lt. Luke Sinclair (Tate Donovan), the carefree co-pilot who feels undervalued by Dennis and longs for a moment of glory, which leads to unforeseen consequences.
• Lt. Phil Lowenthal (D.B. Sweeney), their nervous navigator, who, believing he is doomed, drinks excessively and gives away his possessions at the party.
• Lt. Val Kozlowski (Billy Zane), the bombardier and medic whose medical prowess is exaggerated by his confident façade; he only briefly attended medical school before enlisting.
• Sgt. Danny “Danny Boy” Daly (Eric Stoltz), the earnest radio operator, who captures moments with his small camera and writes poetry, reflecting on his experiences.
• Sgt. Virgil “Virgin” Hoogesteger (Reed Diamond), the top turret gunner who dreams of running restaurants after the war despite his crewmates’ doubts.
• Sgt. Richard “Rascal” Moore (Sean Astin), the ball turret gunner who enjoys teasing his mates but grows anxious about his critical role during combat.
• Sgt. Eugene “Genie” McVey (Courtney Gains), the right waist gunner, whose superstitions lead to playful ridicule from his fellow crew members.
• Sgt. Jack Bocci (Neil Giuntoli), the left waist gunner with a fiery temperament who unexpectedly shows kindness towards Genie.
• Sgt. Clay Busby (Harry Connick Jr.), the tail gunner with a talent for singing, who entertains the crew with “Danny Boy” at the party.

As dawn breaks, their target is the city of Bremen, Germany. Experienced officers voice their concerns; they remember last month’s mission that resulted in the loss of a quarter of the squadron. The Belle and its squadron take to the skies, but as they approach their target, they are relentlessly attacked by German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. The escorting fighters, low on fuel, are forced to abandon the mission, leaving the bombers to face the enemy alone.

Back at the base, tensions rise between Harriman and Derringer as they prepare for the anticipated celebration. Harriman shows Derringer letters from families of fallen airmen he had written to, revealing the gravity of loss amidst their celebratory plans.

As the bomber crew engages in battle, they face devastating losses, including witnessing an earlier lead plane, the Windy City, explode in front of them. The Belle takes its turn as the new lead aircraft; however, they experience challenges locating the assembly plant through a thick smoke screen, leading to critical decisions regarding their bombing run.

During this harrowing mission, false bravado leads to dire consequences as Sinclair’s eagerness to prove himself results in unintended tragedy. Phil and Val must step up as peril mounts, with Phil finally finding confidence in his role as they face mechanical failures and fierce enemy fire.

Upon return to base, the crew anxiously awaits their beloved Belle. With one last gamble during landing, they courageously fight against the odds, managing to lower the landing gear just in time. As they successfully touch down, the crew’s resilience shines through, and they emerge from the battered plane to jubilant cheers, finally celebrating their hard-won victory. The film closes with a heartfelt dedication to all airmen, both friend and foe, who bravely fought in the skies above Europe during the Second World War.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 11:36