This film gave me a pretty good idea of what it must have been like to be on board a bomber during the 2nd World War. The producer of the film deliberately used unknown actors in the film as he wanted to portray that the young Americans who crewed the bombers (flying fortress) was just normal every day civilians back in America but bravely volunteered to come to Old Blighty to risk their lives on dangerous bombing missions over France and Germany.

I can only imagine what must have been going through their minds when taking off from Norfolk and heading out over the English Chanel where they would test the guns. Getting caught in the thick of it in deep Germany with flak and fighter planes coming at them from all angles. The relief must have been great after they dropped the bombs and can then head back to England, often these bombers would limp back home, bullet ridden and coughing and spluttering on just one engine with bits of the plane missing - these were the lucky ones.

No other American crew have completed 25 missions, this film is mainly based on their last mission the 25th and arguably the most dangerous. If they complete the mission they can go back to America as heroes which will be great PR for the war effort. A great movie for a Saturday night if you enjoy 2nd world war films.

I understand that the original Memphis Belle has recently been restored to is former glory and is one of Americas national treasures.

Watch original footage of the Memphis Belle and crew

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