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Deep Dive: The Cold Blue (2018)

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The Cold Blue
The Cold Blue is a documentary that utilizes 90 hours of previously lost footage from director William Wyler's 1944 film, The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. The original footage was restored using modern techniques, allowing for a fresh perspective on the experiences of the 8th Air Force during World War II. The film combines restored visuals with narration from interviews with surviving veterans, creating a vivid portrayal of their experiences. With a runtime of 72 minutes, The Cold Blue premiered at the 2018 AFI Docs and was later broadcast by HBO. The film's soundtrack features sounds captured from existing B-17 bombers, adding an authentic auditory layer to the restored visuals. This combination of restored footage and veteran narratives provides a unique insight into the lives of those who served in the air war.

Why Watch

  • •See restored footage from 90 hours of lost World War II film.
  • •Meet surviving veterans of the 8th Air Force.
  • •Find out how sound was captured from flying B-17 bombers.

Did You Know

•The Cold Blue was created from 90 hours of lost footage.
•The Memphis Belle documentary was originally released in 1944.
•Erik Nelson learned about the original footage's location in 2016.
•The film has a runtime of 72 minutes and premiered in 2018.

Perfect For

World War II historyAviation enthusiastsDocumentary lovers