Memphis Belle

Usually when a war film is made its about the hardships of the soldier against impossible odds, and not about their triumph of just being alive. Being successful on the battlefront, or in this case in the air, was never told to us as being a way of going home for the soldiers during World War II. This movie was able to open our eyes to an aspect of the life of bombers during the war and how at times it grated on their nerves. We are also given an insight into the superstitious nature of the flyer in wartime, and how something as common as a rubber band can be a life saving device. With an all-star cast of actors, lead by Matthew Modine, we are shown how dangerous a bomber flight was during WWII could be and how desperate those crewmen could get when it came down to their lives in the balance.
During World War II the crew of the bomber Memphis Belle had flown 24 successful missions and if they could fly one more they get to go home, but the question is has their number come up or will they be able to go home. The reproduction of the aircraft in this film is amazing; it truly gives you the feeling that you are in a cramped WWII bomber. As the drama unfolds and each character is introduced you are given a clear expression of how these young men are forced to do a job and fight for their lives. The interaction between crew members drives the tension in the drama to the point of breaking, and at times you wonder if they are actually going to knock each other around silly survive this last bomb run.
With so much talent in front of, and behind the camera this is easily one of the best World War II films around and gives us an aspect to the war that, up to this point, had only been glorified by other earlier movies. Every single actor involved in this film is at the top of their game; to see these men show the world how good their talent really is an amazing feat all on its own. To have ten men acting as one unit and not one of them stand out beyond any of the others is proof of a phenomenon that doesn't happen but once in an actors career.