The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress

Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts Torchlight Program will present the newly restored high-definition 4k version of “The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress,” as well as a special presentation in celebration of Veterans Day and the 75th anniversary of World War II.

The screening, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. A prescreening reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Westcott Plaza.

The famed 1944 World War II documentary by renowned Hollywood filmmaker William Wyler takes audiences aboard the final mission of the U.S. Army Air Force’s first heavy bomber to fly 25 sorties over Europe during World War II. Through the eyes of its crew, the documentary highlights the courage of the soldiers who manned this enormous aircraft and the treacherous missions they carried out.

Seventy-five years after director William Wyler first created his visionary documentary, The CMPA Torchlight Program will present the newly restored, high-definition 4K version along with ‘A Movie You Haven’t Seen,’ which contains never-before-seen footage originally shot for the ‘Memphis Belle.’

Wyler, best known for films such as “Ben-Hur,” “The Best Years of Our Lives” and “Mrs. Miniver” — all of which won Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture — served as a major in the U.S. Air Force, working as a motion picture director in the Armed Forces from 1942-1945 during the height of his studio career.

Following “The Memphis Belle,” CMPA Torchlight Program will screen a special presentation of “A Movie You Haven’t Seen”, related to the World War II theme of the night provided by the film’s producers in support of the Veterans Day presentation.

William Wyler’s daughter Catherine Wyler, who produced the 1990 feature film “Memphis Belle,” will attend the screening and take part in a question-and-answer session with the audience about both films.