Product Description

For this 2-DVD set, Aircraft Films worked with the National Archives and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to rebuild the best possible transfer of the William Wyler 1944 documentary. Presented here in both widescreen and normal aspect ratio, the film was rebuilt using new digital transfers from the original camera reels. The result is the best available copy of this classic presentation.

Disc two features special bonus films on the B-17, along with outtakes from the production of the film, in long form new transfers, some silent, some with sound. Overall the 2-DVD set contains over 4 1/2 hours of material.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #106922 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-06-15
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, DVD, Extra tracks, Full Screen, Original recording remastered, Restored, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 275 minutes

Customer Reviews

Best copy I've seen of a classic
The 1944 William Wyler film "Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress" is a classic. Featuring some of the most compelling footage of the war in the skies over Europe, this version is, by far, the best looking I've ever seen.

While the "widescreen" version loses the top and bottom to fit, I personally think the "fullscreen" version (both of which are provided) looks crisp and sharp. The chapter notes provided with the set explain that the opening graphics were not available in original form at the Archives and National Air and Space Museum, so those portions have not been restored.

And the extra bonus footage is superb. I have some of the other Aircraft Films products (the F4U and F4F disc sets) and most of it has crisp, clear footage. I, too, would love to have more sound on future releases, but having the footage, much of which I've never seen and isn't available elsewhere, is very nice.

I recommend the set highly.

Real heroes
Excellent film, a must see!!!
Did a great job digitally remastering the original version, came out beautifully, the extra footage section has lots of cool stuff.

Basically a must for enthusiasts!!

A vivid look back.
Those of us who weren't alive to see it for ourselves remember WWII in shades of newsreel grey. We see the heroism and sacrifice of those who fought through a glass, darkly. William Wyler's Technicolor documentary breaks that glass. In color, the airmen of the Memphis Belle are as alive and real as anyone you know. And so are the airmen who didn't make it, the ones who went spiraling out of control into a wall of flack, or were hauled from their B-17s in green wool blankets.

This edition contains two versions of the film. The first a widescreen anamorphic transfer of the Smithsonian's print. However, since the widescreen version is created by simply matting (cutting off the top and bottom) of the original Academy ratio movie, you are better off with the second version. Re-cut from digital transfers of the original 16mm footage, it keeps the whole Academy ratio image, is much sharper, and has better color. The bonus disc contains that original footage, including some that didn't make it into the film.

The Memphis Belle should be required viewing on Memorial and Veterans day.