Anyone watch a Bridge too far again?
Discussion
Got to be one of the best ever war films ever made in terms of scale. I'd forgotten just what a spectacular film it was. I doubt we'll ever see it's like again what with CGI - such a shame.
The bit where the German asks to discuss the terms of surrender, and the major tells them that they're sorry but they couldn't possibly take them all prisoner as there are simply too many of them, make me laugh every time I watch it - simply brilliant.
The bit where the German asks to discuss the terms of surrender, and the major tells them that they're sorry but they couldn't possibly take them all prisoner as there are simply too many of them, make me laugh every time I watch it - simply brilliant.
I have "A Bridge Too Far" on DVD.
In 1976, when it was made, the film cost more to make than the original WW2 operation.
One of my favourite WW2 films. I would not be upset if a modern version used CGI - as long as its use was subtle and accurate. In the 1976 film, the Harvards masquerading as Typhoons are less than pleasing to watch.
The full size mock-up Horsa gliders are excellent, however.
In 1976, when it was made, the film cost more to make than the original WW2 operation.
One of my favourite WW2 films. I would not be upset if a modern version used CGI - as long as its use was subtle and accurate. In the 1976 film, the Harvards masquerading as Typhoons are less than pleasing to watch.
The full size mock-up Horsa gliders are excellent, however.
Edited by Eric Mc on Monday 4th August 08:43
rhinochopig said:
Got to be one of the best ever war films ever made in terms of scale. I'd forgotten just what a spectacular film it was. I doubt we'll ever see it's like again what with CGI - such a shame.
The bit where the German asks to discuss the terms of surrender, and the major tells them that they're sorry but they couldn't possibly take them all prisoner as there are simply too many of them, make me laugh every time I watch it - simply brilliant.
Brilliant film, one of my all time favourites. The bit where the German asks to discuss the terms of surrender, and the major tells them that they're sorry but they couldn't possibly take them all prisoner as there are simply too many of them, make me laugh every time I watch it - simply brilliant.
How many big name actors!?!?!
The surrender bit is also one of my favourites. The look on the German soldier's face is priceless, and Anthony Hopkins simple ending to the scene is awesome too.
To hell with CGI! So what if you have to use a tiny bit of imagination with a couple of planes and the 'German' tanks!?
I have no problem with CGI - as long as it is used effectively and realistically (which sadly, it isn't always).
A Bridge Too Far would have looked even better if the sky had been full of Short Stirlings, Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles and Handley Page Halifax tow planes (as well as the DC-3s and Horsas). Other "missing" aircraft were P-47 Thunderbolts, P-51 Mustangs and Hawker Typhoons. All these aircraft were used extensively and in massive numbers during Operation Market Garden.
Maybe a remake of THe Longest Day should be made now, in colour, and using the latest cinematic techniques.
A Bridge Too Far would have looked even better if the sky had been full of Short Stirlings, Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles and Handley Page Halifax tow planes (as well as the DC-3s and Horsas). Other "missing" aircraft were P-47 Thunderbolts, P-51 Mustangs and Hawker Typhoons. All these aircraft were used extensively and in massive numbers during Operation Market Garden.
Maybe a remake of THe Longest Day should be made now, in colour, and using the latest cinematic techniques.
The thing I never got is that the bridge at Arnhem is not the last bridge.
to turn into Germany you have to turn right after Arnhem where there is the river ijssel to cross.
The film was actrually shot at the bridge at Deventer which is a bridge over the ijssel because there are too many modern buildings at the Arnhem bridge.
So what is this myth about Arnhem being the last bridge?
to turn into Germany you have to turn right after Arnhem where there is the river ijssel to cross.
The film was actrually shot at the bridge at Deventer which is a bridge over the ijssel because there are too many modern buildings at the Arnhem bridge.
So what is this myth about Arnhem being the last bridge?
Lottie said - "My OH stayed up to watch it again...I just don't get it. Is not my sort of film. Sorry".
You're a girl - which probably explains why you may not be interested in such a film. Blokes tend to me more interested in movies which are
based on reality
have a war theme
highlight examples of courage
I think the latter is always of interest to guys because they are always questioning themselves about what would they have done or how would they have coped in such extreme circumstances. I know I do.
A Bridge Too Far covers all these bases. In fact, it has an almost documentary level of realism and accuracy. Also, for a female viewer, there are hardly any female characters in it. Apart from the Liv Ullman character and the elderly Dutch woman I can't think of any. And there is no love interest whatsoever.
There is certainly no "love" interest at all (thank goodness) as this almost always ruin war films when they are "plonked" into the script just to try and soften the film for a female audience. An example of this problem is the Christopher Plummer/Susannah York relatyionship in "Battle of Britain" which ALMOST (but doesn't quite) ruin that film for me.
Having said that "A Bridge Too Far" is not really aimed at a female audience, my sister loves it as she is very interested in history. In fact, it was her who rushed out and bought Cornelius Ryan's book after she saw the film. It's a good read and shows how much more could have been put into the film.
You're a girl - which probably explains why you may not be interested in such a film. Blokes tend to me more interested in movies which are
based on reality
have a war theme
highlight examples of courage
I think the latter is always of interest to guys because they are always questioning themselves about what would they have done or how would they have coped in such extreme circumstances. I know I do.
A Bridge Too Far covers all these bases. In fact, it has an almost documentary level of realism and accuracy. Also, for a female viewer, there are hardly any female characters in it. Apart from the Liv Ullman character and the elderly Dutch woman I can't think of any. And there is no love interest whatsoever.
There is certainly no "love" interest at all (thank goodness) as this almost always ruin war films when they are "plonked" into the script just to try and soften the film for a female audience. An example of this problem is the Christopher Plummer/Susannah York relatyionship in "Battle of Britain" which ALMOST (but doesn't quite) ruin that film for me.
Having said that "A Bridge Too Far" is not really aimed at a female audience, my sister loves it as she is very interested in history. In fact, it was her who rushed out and bought Cornelius Ryan's book after she saw the film. It's a good read and shows how much more could have been put into the film.
Edited by Eric Mc on Monday 4th August 09:25
Eric Mc said:
I have no problem with CGI - as long as it is used effectively and realistically (which sadly, it isn't always).
A Bridge Too Far would have looked even better if the sky had been full of Short Stirlings, Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles and Handley Page Halifax tow planes (as well as the DC-3s and Horsas). Other "missing" aircraft were P-47 Thunderbolts, P-51 Mustangs and Hawker Typhoons. All these aircraft were used extensively and in massive numbers during Operation Market Garden.
Maybe a remake of THe Longest Day should be made now, in colour, and using the latest cinematic techniques.
CGI planes and tanks never look real though. The only film I've seen that worked well with CGI was the polish film about the spit pilots in England - blue yonder or something it was called. They used footage from the Battle of Britain which they digitally enhanced (added cartridges being ejected and contrails from the rounds) to fit their film.A Bridge Too Far would have looked even better if the sky had been full of Short Stirlings, Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles and Handley Page Halifax tow planes (as well as the DC-3s and Horsas). Other "missing" aircraft were P-47 Thunderbolts, P-51 Mustangs and Hawker Typhoons. All these aircraft were used extensively and in massive numbers during Operation Market Garden.
Maybe a remake of THe Longest Day should be made now, in colour, and using the latest cinematic techniques.
Perhaps you can answer this question. What are the planes in British markings that bomb the tree line when the tanks are ambushed? They are big radial engined US looking things.
Edited by rhinochopig on Monday 4th August 09:29
cloggy said:
The thing I never got is that the bridge at Arnhem is not the last bridge.
to turn into Germany you have to turn right after Arnhem where there is the river ijssel to cross.
The film was actrually shot at the bridge at Deventer which is a bridge over the ijssel because there are too many modern buildings at the Arnhem bridge.
So what is this myth about Arnhem being the last bridge?
I don't think that is the "myth". The story centres on the fact that trying to reach Arnhem bridge stretched the resources of the parachute brigades too far - and tyhey couldn't hold the bridge long enough to be relieved by ground forces i.e. XXX Corps.to turn into Germany you have to turn right after Arnhem where there is the river ijssel to cross.
The film was actrually shot at the bridge at Deventer which is a bridge over the ijssel because there are too many modern buildings at the Arnhem bridge.
So what is this myth about Arnhem being the last bridge?
Eric Mc said:
cloggy said:
The thing I never got is that the bridge at Arnhem is not the last bridge.
to turn into Germany you have to turn right after Arnhem where there is the river ijssel to cross.
The film was actrually shot at the bridge at Deventer which is a bridge over the ijssel because there are too many modern buildings at the Arnhem bridge.
So what is this myth about Arnhem being the last bridge?
I don't think that is the "myth". The story centres on the fact that trying to reach Arnhem bridge stretched the resources of the parachute brigades too far - and tyhey couldn't hold the bridge long enough to be relieved by ground forces i.e. XXX Corps.to turn into Germany you have to turn right after Arnhem where there is the river ijssel to cross.
The film was actrually shot at the bridge at Deventer which is a bridge over the ijssel because there are too many modern buildings at the Arnhem bridge.
So what is this myth about Arnhem being the last bridge?
On maps that show the battle the river ijssel is not even there.
)
One of the best war films of all time!
Particulary like James Caan's performance and strangely the 'weak' chap in intelligence who rocks the boat with the tank photo's and is put on sick leave - convincing preformance
what a cast...to name a few
Dirk Bogarde
Sean Connery
Robert Redford
James Caan
Michael Caine
Edward Fox
Gene Hackman
Anthony Hopkins
Laurence Olivier
Directed by richard Attenborough
does it get any better?!
-Will there ever be a film with so many stars again? (and a decent film)
Particulary like James Caan's performance and strangely the 'weak' chap in intelligence who rocks the boat with the tank photo's and is put on sick leave - convincing preformance
what a cast...to name a few
Dirk Bogarde
Sean Connery
Robert Redford
James Caan
Michael Caine
Edward Fox
Gene Hackman
Anthony Hopkins
Laurence Olivier
Directed by richard Attenborough
does it get any better?!
-Will there ever be a film with so many stars again? (and a decent film)
I've actually just got back home from doing a battlefield tour in Arnhem and Nijmegan, with a number of veterans of the original operation, and some pretty high powered academics.
The whole operation was six days from conception to execution, which goes some way to explain a few of the issues that seem, with hindsight, to have been over looked in the planning.
It also followed on from at least 13 other airborne operations that had been planned and cancelled in the previous months, so there was a certain momentum behind the plan that may have caused people to gloss over some issues.
Whilst the popular view is of Market Garden as a glorious failure, it could be said that it was a 90% success. My own view is that plan A for 1 (BR) AB Div's part in the operation was good, but there wasn't much evidence of a plan B. It would have either worked brilliantly with a bit of luck, but once problems started there didn't seem to be much depth in the planning to overcome them.
Despite any views on the shortcomings of operational planning, it is still breathtaking to think of what the Allied Airborne Army and XXX Corps achieved, and the many individual acts of selfless courage are very humbling.
Pete
The whole operation was six days from conception to execution, which goes some way to explain a few of the issues that seem, with hindsight, to have been over looked in the planning.
It also followed on from at least 13 other airborne operations that had been planned and cancelled in the previous months, so there was a certain momentum behind the plan that may have caused people to gloss over some issues.
Whilst the popular view is of Market Garden as a glorious failure, it could be said that it was a 90% success. My own view is that plan A for 1 (BR) AB Div's part in the operation was good, but there wasn't much evidence of a plan B. It would have either worked brilliantly with a bit of luck, but once problems started there didn't seem to be much depth in the planning to overcome them.
Despite any views on the shortcomings of operational planning, it is still breathtaking to think of what the Allied Airborne Army and XXX Corps achieved, and the many individual acts of selfless courage are very humbling.
Pete
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