SwapaDVD logo
 
 

Search - The Memphis Belle (60th Anniversary Collector's Edition) on DVD


The Memphis Belle (60th Anniversary Collector's Edition)
The Memphis Belle
60th Anniversary Collector's Edition
Directors: William Wyler, Louis Hayward
Genres: Indie & Art House, Special Interests, Television, Documentary, Military & War
NR     2004     4hr 35min

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 wid...  more »

     

Larger Image

Movie Details

Directors: William Wyler, Louis Hayward
Genres: Indie & Art House, Special Interests, Television, Documentary, Military & War
Sub-Genres: Indie & Art House, Special Interests, Television, Documentary, Military & War
Studio: Aircraft Films
Format: DVD - Color,Full Screen,Widescreen - Closed-captioned
DVD Release Date: 06/15/2004
Release Year: 2004
Run Time: 4hr 35min
Screens: Color,Full Screen,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaDVD Credits: 2
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
Edition: Collector's Edition,Special Edition
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

Similarly Requested DVDs

Kiss the Girls
   R   1998   1hr 55min
   
Gods Generals
Director: Ronald F. Maxwell
   PG-13   2003   3hr 39min
   
Bruno
Directors: Larry Charles, Dan Mazer
   R   2009   1hr 22min
   
Ronin
Director: John Frankenheimer
   R   1999   2hr 2min
   
Manhunter
Director: Michael Mann
   R   2001   1hr 59min
   
Orphan
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
   R   2009   2hr 3min
   
A Murder of Crows
Director: Rowdy Herrington
   R   1999   1hr 42min
   
 

Movie Reviews

Best copy I've seen of a classic
J. Moore | St. Paul, MN | 12/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."
MEMPHIS BELLE "Restored" DVD Review
Peter J. Johnston | Tulsa, OK | 11/22/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've Always LOVED This WW2 B-17 Documentary, Ever Since I First Saw It... So I was Very Excited to Hear About This NEW "Fully Restored" 2 Disk DVD Set. I Took a Chance & Quickly Ordered it... I Rate it as "OK" at Best. Not at All Worth $30. A bit Dissapointing.... Unfortunately, some Back Woods Company "Redpepper Films" did the Digital Transfer. Nope, Never Heard of 'Em... I'm Guessing they used some sort of Cheap, Outdated Digital Transfer Equipment. It's Not as Clean & Clear as it should be. I Really Wish a Professional Film Studio like Turner Classics or Spielberg could have given this Historical Piece of Americana it's Proper Restoration. Of Key Note is the Opening Title Sequence. It's Completely Worn, Fuzzy, Faded & Deteriorated. ?????!!!!! This is Completely Inexcusable. I've seen CHEAP $5 Versions of This Documentary on VHS at the Supermarket, that are of Better Quality. Both "Restored" Versions of the Film in this set have Scratches, Boogers, Stringers & Faded Colors throughout. Certainly Not the High Quality of other Restored Films. My Only Hope is that "Redpepper Films" didn't Screw Up the Original Negative and Slop Bar-B-Que Sauce all over it.... The Only Saving Grace is Disk 2. It has an Hour or Two of Rare Color Out-Takes from the Original Film. Very Interesting, but a bit Creepy & Boring as it's all Silent. No Attempt was made at Music,, Narration or Anything. They just Didn't Care and Slapped it All Together. I Guess We're Supposed to Finish This Set Ourselves..."
A vivid look back.
Jason Steiner | Glendale, AZ USA | 11/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."
Real heroes
E. Brebanov | Ottawa, Ontario Canada | 08/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!!"