The particular strength of this movie is that the director didn't go over the top to produce the tough American hero who saves the world kinda film. Instead it's marvelously atmospheric, starting with the way the B-17 flies low over the hill and clutches at the heart and stomach of everyone who loves planes.
The crew of the Memphis Belle are the kind of people you grew up with, just ordinary guys who are alternately scared and patriotic and just want to get their 25 mission over so they can go home.
It's a brilliant insight into how war can transform a group of men who don't always get along or agree with one another, into a team who'll watch one another's back whatever happens.
A real classic and still great 15 years down the track.
Harry Connick Jnr was (at that time) a dead ringer for the young Frank Sinatra, pity they didn't cast him in a biographical movie of Ol' Blue Eyes.