The Cold Blue

HBO Documentary Review: “The Cold Blue”. Critics rates it 100%, users rated it 67%. Not Rated with run time of 1hr and 41 mins win an IMDb of 7.7/10.

The Cold Blue takes an inside look at the daily life of men of the Eighth Air Force, who flew mission after deadly mission in World War II. The film features newly restored 4K footage and outtakes, shot by director William Wyler (Oscar winner for The Best Years of Our Lives, Ben-Hur and Mrs. Miniver) for his 1944 documentary The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress.

In 1943, William Wyler, one of Hollywood’s most renowned and versatile directors, went to Europe to document the air war in progress. Wyler and his crew flew actual combat missions on B-17s, during which one of his cinematographers was killed. Incredibly, all of the raw color footage Wyler shot for The Memphis Belle was recently discovered in the vaults of the National Archives. After a frame-by-frame restoration, Nelson has constructed a compelling new film out of the material.

I had no idea what I was about to watch. Just a few minutes into this film I began to realize and was so glad that I found this documentary.

Stunning original footage with a thoughtful narrative and truly moving recollections from the few remaining veterans. People have condemned the bombing of the third reich as a "war crime". I think they should be made to sit and watch this film. This campaign, as terrible as it was, put a stop to the V1 rockets the V2 rockets and the gas chambers. Without doubt it saved Europe at a huge cost to the young men of The USAF and RAF and should be properly remembered in exactly this way.

We owe so much to these boys plucked from farms, shops, and their homes to fight Hitler in Europe in 1942. These boys left home, some of them not yet 20 years old fighting in the war with fear of not coming home at the end of a mission. These brave men were in the 8th Air Force flying daylight bombing missions against the German fatherland. Flying 5 hours there and 5 back while flying thru German fighters and flak to lay a few bombs on a target they may had hit the day before and the day before that too. Sometimes barely making it home with only part of a tail or on 3 engines to land and have their ground crews patch them up for the next mission. So proud of these teenagers and early 20's boys forced to grow up too fast and too early in a war they didn't start or want either.

Everyone who enjoys freedom should Thank the men/women who served in WWII on & off the battlefield. These are the great people who served their country to stop the Axis powers from taking over the world. So many where lost, never to return to their families we owe them so much for sacrificing everything for so many who cherish their freedom. God Bless all service personnel who have served to preserve the greatest country, America.

I have to agree with the critics on this film, I would rate this a 10/10 hands down!. It can be seen on Prime and Netflix also.