Memphis Belle (1990)
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75% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(29,366 ratings)
Unabashedly sentimental, this war film was produced by David Putnam in partnership with Catherine Wyler, whose father William Wyler directed an acclaimed documentary about the real-life events depicted in the film. The ensemble cast is composed of ten young actors portraying the crew of the World… More Unabashedly sentimental, this war film was produced by David Putnam in partnership with Catherine Wyler, whose father William Wyler directed an acclaimed documentary about the real-life events depicted in the film. The ensemble cast is composed of ten young actors portraying the crew of the World War II B-17 bomber "Memphis Belle," anticipating their 25th and last mission before they will be able to go home. Having won fame with their exemplary war record and amazing lack of casualties, they expect their final assignment to be a cakewalk, but instead they are ordered to bomb Bremen, a heavily defended German city that will mean almost certain loss of life. Led by their experienced captain, Dennis Dearborn (Matthew Modine), the crew shoulders its responsibility despite mounting fears, while their commanding officer (David Strathairn) and a public relations specialist (John Lithgow) wait anxiously for their return. Aboard the bomber, there's friction between Dearborn and his disgruntled co-pilot Luke Sinclair (Tate Donovan), and between medical officer Val Kozlowski (Billy Zane) and the rest of the crew when it's learned that Val lied about his qualifications. Despite impressive technical credits and a popular Generation-X cast, Memphis Belle (1990) was a box-office disappointment, its enthusiastic patriotism considered a throwback to a bygone era of filmmaking. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Caton-Jones
- Written By
- Monte Merrick
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
- In Theaters
- Sep 7, 1990 Wide
- On DVD
- May 27, 1998
- Studio
- MVD Music Video
Critic Reviews
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Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
Excellent and harrowing account of the trials of a World War II bomber crew.
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Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Badly written and poorly structured ensemble piece that provides little except the impressive feature debut of Harry Connick, Jr. as an actor.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
A handsome and fairly rousing air force flick with a solid ensemble cast.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Matthew Modine
as Dennis Dearborn
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Eric Stoltz
as Danny Daly
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Tate Donovan
as Luke Sinclair
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D.B. Sweeney
as Phil Rosenthal
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Billy Zane
as Val Kozlowski
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David Strathairn
as Commanding Officer
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Sean Astin
as Richard "Rascal" Moore
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John Lithgow
as Col. Bruce Derringer
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Harry Connick Jr.
as Clay Busby
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Courtney Gains
as Eugene McVey
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Neil Giuntoli
as Jack Bocci
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Paul Birchard
as Lieutenant
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Ben Browder
as Rookie Captain
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Greg Charles
as Adjutant
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Bill Cullum
as Farmer
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Reed Edward Diamond
as Virgil
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Keith Edwards
as '5-2'
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Steve Elm
as Footballer
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Jane Horrocks
as Faith
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Bradley Lavelle
as Sergeant
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Eric Loren
as Cook
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Steven Mackintosh
as Stan the Rookie
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Mac McDonald
as Les
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Martin McDougal
as Footballer
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Cathy Murphy
as Jitterbugger
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Jason Salkey
as Footballer
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Morag Siller
as Jitterbugger
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Mitch Webb
as Group Navigator
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Jodie Wilson
as Singer
- Booker T. & the MGs
- Eddie Floyd
- Harry Connick
- Memphis Horn
- Phil Upchu
- Phil Upchurch
- Reed Diamond
- Sam Moore

