Review of A Bridge Too Far (1977) by Jan H — 16 Oct 2010

Bizarre that this should have only a 67% rating! people don't like the truth and I suspect this movies rating will increase with time. Directed by Richard Attenborough and with the cream of the 70s acting crop (de niro couldn't take part due to previous commitments) This shows fully the horrors of war (and was a massive influence on Spielberg when making Saving Private Ryan) in fact knock the hollywood out of said film and you have ABTF.

Excellent casting and unparalleld historical accuracy (mostly due to the prescence on the set of people who fought at the time) this isnt for the faint hearted but still manages to be entertaining.

I remember a lot of kerfuffle at the time and it was banned from some cinemas in the UK due to it portraying (as it was felt at the time) that the war was won by the americans. Watch the film and make up your own mind.

It follows the excellent book faithfully and as subsequent research and testimony has shown the operation was a misjudged disaster, mainly due to montgomerys egotistical one upmanship. Many brave allied soldiers died as a result.(including many poles for those in the UK who complain about immigration!) such is war and always has been.

If you want a REAL war film then this is an absolute must. I remember watching this several times in the same week at the cinema as a 12 year old and it having an immense effect on the way I felt/thought about war .. people dont just live or die when they're shot, they suffer. Sometimes unpleasant but essential.