REJUVENATED CLASSIC
STUNNING FILM THE COLD BLUE HAS HAD A LIMITED RELEASE IN UK CINEMAS. THE FLYPAST EDITORIAL TEAM GIVES ITS VERDICT ON THIS LANDMARK WORLD WAR TWO-BASED DOCUMENTARY
THE COLD BLUE
FLYPAST GOES TO THE MOVIES
Many enthusiasts will know of the fabled B-17F Flying Fortress Memphis Belle, the first USAAF bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe in 1943. The bomber and its crew became media stars due to the resulting propaganda tour and film, the latter being directed by William Wyler and filmed by three cameramen. It became a classic account of USAAF bomber operations.
Fast forward to last year and the US release of The Cold Blue. This new documentary, directed by Erik Nelson, uses a combination of original Wyler Memphis Belle footage and outtakes. All 15 hours of film were re-discovered in the US National Archives, but the stock had become faded and scratched. Nelson and his team, funded by the late Microsoft co-founder and heritage aviation benefactor Paul Allen, had the celluloid fully restored. The results are breathtaking.
