Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress

The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress
Theatrical poster
Directed byWilliam Wyler
Written byJerome Chodorov
Lester Koenig
William Wyler
StarringThe crew of the Memphis Belle
Narrated byEugene Kern
CinematographyWilliam H. Clothier
William V. Skall
Harold J. Tannenbaum
William Wyler
Edited byLynn Harrison[1]
Music byGail Kubik
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
  • April 4, 1944 (1944-04-04) (Memphis)
  • April 13, 1944 (1944-04-13)
Running time
45 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress

The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress is a 1944 documentary film which provides an account of the final mission of the crew of the Memphis Belle, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. In May 1943 it became the third U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe, but the first to return to the United States.

The dramatic 16 mm color film of actual battles was made by three cinematographers, including First Lieutenant Harold J. Tannenbaum. Tannenbaum, a veteran of World War I, was killed in action during the filming when the bomber he was in was shot down over France on April 16, 1943.

The film was directed by Major William Wyler, narrated by Eugene Kern, and had scenes at its station, RAF Bassingbourn, photographed by Hollywood cinematographer Captain William H. Clothier Commander of the 4th Combat Camera Unit (today's 4th Combat Camera Squadron). It was made under the auspices of the First Motion Picture Unit, part of the United States Army Air Forces. The film actually depicted the next to last mission of the crew (see below) on May 15, 1943, and was made as a morale-building inspiration for the Home Front by showing the everyday courage of the men who manned these bombers.[2]

  1. ^ Miller, Gabriel (2013). William Wyler: The Life and Films of Hollywood's Most Celebrated Director. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813142104.
  2. ^ Orriss 1984, p. 83.