In 1990 director Michael Caton-Jones and writer by Monte Merrick created on a fictionalized re-telling of a 1944 documentary title, Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. The movie is a tribute to those that defended our freedoms and way of life, and Memphis Belle closes with a dedication to the real airmen that fought in the skies above Europe in the 2nd world war, most of whom did not return to home unscathed. This movie’s cast includes Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, and Harry Connick Jr.
The movie picks up when the Memphis Belle, a B-17 Flying Fortress and her crew are set to complete 25 missions. This last mission will mean her men have completed their tour of duty, this accomplishment is significant because they will be the first group/ bombing crew, in the Eight AIr force to fulfill this prerequisite of returning from 25 bombing missions. Every mission is life threatening, and Colonel Bruce Derringer, played by John Lithgow, is jumping the gun celebrating the team’s success before they even go up in the air for their last bombing run. The Army publicist has big plans for the young men to promote the much needed sale of war bonds with a grand US tour making the heroes celebrities. But before then, the Mephis Belle must, accompanied by the rest of the squadron, fly into Bremen, Germany to obliterate an enemy plane manufacturing plant. The escorting P-51’s are unable to accompany the big bombers all the way to the target, and the vulnerable big boys are forced to fend for themselves over enemy territory and all the way home. As planes are taken out, the Mephis Bell finds herself eventually in the lead. The defensive assault below makes the target impossible to see, and her pilot decides to circle around for a second pass. Everyone takes on damage, and the flight home is riddled with flak, injury and suspense as the enemy forces continue their counter assault.