Cineflix Rights acquires Memphis Belle
Cineflix Rights, the UK’s largest independent TV content distributor, has acquired the spectacular new version of legendary World War II film The Memphis Belle – described by Steven Spielberg as “one of the most stunning things I have ever seen” – from Creative Differences and Vulcan Productions.
The Memphis Belle was filmed by director William Wyler in 1943 on US 8th Air Force bases in England and on B17F bombing missions over Europe. The film was edited in Hollywood and released in 1944. Since then, copies of the original prints have deteriorated significantly. For the updated version of The Memphis Belle: A Story Of A Flying Fortress (1×45’), producer Erik Nelson used a new technique of 4K digital restoration, literally recutting it from scratch, while preserving the original content and existing soundtrack. New footage found of the crews has been added along with music composition by Richard Thompson
Catherine Wyler, William Wyler’s daughter, has described the new film as: “Absolutely extraordinary. You can see more in this 4K restoration than you could ever see in the original 16mm film. What Erik has done is restore the power to The Memphis Belle, perhaps more so than ever.”
The Memphis Belle: A Story Of A Flying Fortress sits alongside The Cold Blue (1×60’/1×90’ Vulcan Productions), which pairs interviews with surviving veterans of B17 missions with Wyler’s original footage. Cineflix Rights has exclusive worldwide distribution of The Cold Blue, which will debut on HBO in the US in June 2019.
Anthony Kimble, SVP, Co-Production and North American Acquisitions, Cineflix Rights, said: “The Memphis Belle: A Story Of A Flying Fortress is an incredible piece of history brought right up to date to provide the most spectacular WWII viewing experience for today’s audiences. It will also work as a fantastic companion film alongside The Cold Blue, for broadcasters looking to create a stand-out television event as we approach the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.”
Erik Nelson, producer of The Memphis Belle: A Story Of A Flying Fortress added: “As the 75th anniversary of The Memphis Belle’s 1944 premiere and D-Day looms, this classic documentary’s resurrection has never been so timely. The original film and this new restoration stand as an ode for a time when heroism was taken for granted, when good unambiguously stood against evil.”
The deal to acquire The Memphis Belle: A Story Of A Flying Fortress was brokered by Giuliana Benvenuto, Acquisitions Manager, North America, Cineflix Rights.
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For more information, contact Mark Ogle at OH Communications (for Cineflix Rights):mark@ohcommunications.co.uk / +44 (0) 7789 981561
About Cineflix Rights
Cineflix Rights, a division of Cineflix Media Inc., is the UK’s largest independent TV content distributor with a growing catalogue of 4,600 hours of sought-after programs from some of the world’s most creative producers. Our diversified factual and scripted shows cover a wide range of genres, including crime & investigation, documentaries & specials, history, factual entertainment, lifestyle, science & technology, wildlife & natural history, as well as formats. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in London, Cineflix Rights has sales teams in the UK and North America.