Today’s quick review: A Bridge Too Far. In September 1944, Lieutenant General Browning (Dirk Bogarde) carries out Operation Market Garden, an ambitious Allied offensive that drops thousands of troops behind German lines to claim a series of vital bridges in Holland. But as the mission hits setback after setback, Major General Urquhart (Sean Connery), Lieutenant Colonel Frost (Anthony Hopkins), and their men are left stranded with no relief in sight.
A Bridge Too Far is a classic war drama about Operation Market Garden during World War II. The movie follows the operation from concept to execution, showing an optimistic plan give way to crushing reality. A Bridge Too Far tracks half a dozen groups of soldiers as they struggle to claim and hold key points along the line of advance. The result is a war movie on a grand scale that skillfully conveys the long odds faced by Allied forces.
A Bridge Too Far stands apart from other war movies for the way it portrays an operation that is falling apart. Bad weather, faulty radios, and two unexpected Panzer divisions put a crimp in Market Garden from the very beginning, and the situation only gets worse as XXX Corps, meant to support the paratroopers, meets delay after delay. Throughout it all, the aloofness of the Allies’ leadership drives home a sense of futility and desperation.
In terms of execution, A Bridge Too Far is a well-crafted movie that is almost too complex for its own good. The named cast numbers in the dozens, and the fighting occurs in several Dutch towns simultaneously, leaving the audience with a lot to keep track of. But the movie does use its scale to good effect, offering a comprehensive look at a complex invasion and capturing the many sacrifices and acts of heroism along the way.
A Bridge Too Far is a strong pick for fans of the war genre or anyone interested in logistics of large-scale conflict. The movie requires a significant investment on the part of the viewer, and it lacks the immediate impact of war movies that are more modest in scope. But the payoff is an unusually thorough depiction of the consequences of bad planning. Those looking for a concise, focused war movie may want to steer clear.
For another seemingly jinxed large-scale operation during World War II, try Dunkirk. For a more intimate World War II mission with long odds, try Fury. For a less brutal depiction of events occurring in parallel, try Patton.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a dramatic story and a star-studded cast.