A Bridge Too Far
A Bridge Too Far

A Bridge Too Far

1977Movie175 minEnglish

The story of Operation Market Garden—a failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine) was doomed to failure.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes77%
Metacritic67/100
Google Users86%
Director: Richard AttenboroughGenres: War, Drama, History, Action

Plot Summary

In September 1944, Allied forces launch Operation Market Garden, a daring plan to capture several key bridges in the Netherlands and advance into Germany. The ambitious airborne and ground assault faces unexpected and fierce German resistance, leading to heavy casualties and the ultimate failure of the mission. The film chronicles the bravery, blunders, and devastating human cost of this historical military operation.

Critical Reception

A Bridge Too Far was met with a generally positive reception from critics, who praised its epic scope, star-studded cast, and detailed depiction of the military campaign. While some found its length daunting and the narrative somewhat sprawling due to its large ensemble, it was widely recognized as a meticulously crafted and somber war film that honored the soldiers involved.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its historical accuracy and grand scale.
  • Commended for its impressive ensemble cast and powerful performances.
  • Noted for its somber tone and depiction of the realities of war.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's detailed portrayal of the military operation and its respectful treatment of the soldiers' sacrifices. Many found the epic scope and large cast compelling, though some viewers wished for a more focused narrative. The film is often regarded as a classic war movie for its historical significance and dramatic intensity.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards (Best Art Direction, Best Sound) and won 3 BAFTA Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Edward Fox.

Fun Fact

Director Richard Attenborough insisted on using authentic WWII-era military vehicles and uniforms, even going as far as to obtain permission to use actual German tanks from Franco's Spain, as many of the original tanks had been destroyed or scrapped.

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TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

**_Star-studded cinematic account of Operation Market Garden_** In September, 1944, the Allies unleash an ambitious operation to secure key bridges in the Netherlands, which would facilitate a quick advance into Germany and have the boys...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Usually when you read the term "stellar" applied to a cast, it's more for marketing purposes to convince us that the cast is better than we might want to think - well not so, here. Connery, Caine, O'Neal, Olivier, Bogarde, Hackman, Hopkins,...
GenerationofSwine

GenerationofSwin...

How do spoilers work with historical movies? Can we reasonably assume that everyone already knows how Market Garden turned out, or are we doing the Millennial thing where we are assuming people don't know where Arnhem is, let alone Antwerp,...