Average customer rating:
- A Correction
- A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule
- Absolutely one of the best!
- A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film
- A Classic Epic of the Second World War
|
A Bridge Too Far
Starring:
Dirk Bogarde ,
James Caan ,
Michael Caine ,
Sean Connery , and
Denholm Elliott
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
 General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Sean Connery
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Drama
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Action & Adventure
| British Cinema
| By Country
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| British Cinema
| By Country
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
World War II
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Great Battles
| By Theme
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
War Epics
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Bogarde, Dirk
| ( B )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Caan, James
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Caine, Michael
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Connery, Sean
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Elliott, Denholm
| ( E )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Fox, Edward
| ( F )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Gould, Elliott
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Grimes, Frank
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hackman, Gene
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hopkins, Anthony
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Kemp, Jeremy
| ( K )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Olivier, Laurence
| ( O )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
O'Neal, Ryan
| ( O )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Redford, Robert
| ( R )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Schell, Maximilian
| ( S )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Ullmann, Liv
| ( U )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Attenborough, Richard
| ( A )
| Directors
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
MGM DVDs Under $15
| MGM Home Entertainment
| Studio Specials
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
All MGM Titles
| MGM Home Entertainment
| Studio Specials
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Action & Adventure
| British Cinema
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
General
| British Cinema
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Epics
| By Theme
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Military & War
| By Theme
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
DVDs Under $7.49
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
General
| Action & Adventure
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
World War II
| Military & War
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
( B )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
Battle of Britain
-
The Longest Day
-
Battle of the Bulge
-
The Bridge at Remagen
-
Midway (Collector's Edition)
ASIN: 0792839730
Release Date: 1998-10-21 |
Amazon.com essential video
This massive 1977 adaptation by director Richard Attenborough (Gandhi) of Cornelius Ryan's novel features an all-star cast in an epic rendering of a daring but ultimately disastrous raid behind enemy lines in Holland during the Second World War. A lengthy and exhaustive look at the mechanics of warfare and the price and futility of war, the film is almost too large for its aims but manages to be both picaresque and affecting, particularly in the performance of James Caan. The impressive cast includes Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde, Sean Connery, and Liv Ullmann among others. While not a classic war film, it nevertheless manages to be a consistently interesting and exciting adventure. --Robert Lane
Description
An epic film that "re-creates in stunning detail one of the most disastrous battles of World War II" (The Hollywood Reporter), A Bridge Too Far is a spectacular war picture. Painstakingly recreated on actual battlefield locations and boasting a remarkable cast that includes Sean Connery, Anthony Hopkins, Sir Laurence Olivier and Robert Redford, A Bridge Too Far accurately recaptures the monumental scope, excitement and danger behind one of the biggest military gambles in history. In September 1944, flush with success after the Normandy Invasion, the Allies confidently launched Operation Market Garden, a wild scheme intended to put an early end to the fighting by invading Germany and smashing the Reich's war plants. But a combination of battlefield politics, faulty intelligence, bad luck and even worse weather led to disaster beyond the Allies' darkest fears.
Customer Reviews:
A Correction.......2007-07-15
I saw a comment made on the first Google page about this movie that credits an "over acting" Elliot Gould as Major Julian Cook. Julian Cook was played by ROBERT REDFORD who definitley did not "Over Act" in his part. This is an extremely well done movie which is why I rated it the way I did.
I've read the other reviews and almost everyone comments that Ryan O'Neal was too young to play a general. If anyone studies the history of World War II and the 82nd Airborne they would know that General James Gavin was 36 when he commanded at D-Day and Arnhem. He got his second star at 37, which made him the youngest general to hold that rank since George Custer during the Civil War.
A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule.......2007-07-08
The biggest lesson to be learned from this film is what happens when large ego individuals are not properly disciplined and contained while legitimate concerns are ignored; things go too far. In this case a Bridge Too Far with predictably disastrous results!
Absolutely one of the best!.......2007-06-25
If you're tired of the pieced together, staged stuff we usually (almost always) get, this is for you. This must be the most expertly directed war film of all time. The stars we know today as headliners are just in this doing their part as expected; no "look at me" types. Well, Ryan O'Neal seems out of place, but he's OK. This is a keeper.
A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film.......2007-05-25
A Bridge Too Far was one of the last epic WWII films. It cannot help but be linked to The Longest Day because they are both from Cornelius Ryan's books.
One of the differences in style from the previous film is the type of stars used for the main characters. Whereas Longest Day used many long-established stars, many who had been around for decades, the stars of Bridge are almost exclusively of contemporary vintage such as Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Ryan O'Neal, Elliot Gould, Anthony Hopkins, etc. Even Connery and Caine, who reached stardom in the Sixties are only in their mid-forties at this time. Unfortunately, and this is my only complaint, Attenborough chose to go with the trendy "Great Gatsby" style glow with the cinematography. The humor put into Longest Day is almost totally absent from Bridge and further contributes to its modern realism. Speaking of realism, those familiar with the writing of Panzer commander Hans Von Luck will appreciate the effort and money spent on the war action. It is spectacular. The artillery shelling is fearsome, the airborne assault is awesome, and the boat attacks are hellish.
Mr. Attenborough impressively helms this massive story, keeping track of the big picture while drawing in the the viewer with short, poignant individual exploits. The most memorable of these lasts only a few seconds as the Dutch father turns to see his son, who has been so brave and helpful, has been killed by a stray bullet. The horror of war in that moment is more real than the entire three hours of movies like Apocalypse Now. Shortly after that, the camera fills the frame with a monstrous German tank, firing mercilessly straight toward you.
Of the star-studded cast, Connery, Caan, and Hopkins shine the most. James Caan gets one of the best scenes in the movie: a wild jeep ride through German lines to save a buddy. If Steve McQueen had been in the movie, this would have been his role, but Caan does it quite well enough. Sean Connery was reportedly miffed that Redford got more than he did for much less screen time. Sean has a point, he's outstanding and convincing in his role, while Redford is pretty much playing Redford. Anthony Hopkins, whose star was rising at this point, puts another notch in his career as the Tommy paratrooper Colonel who's sent to do the impossible. Much of Gene Hackman's performance of the Polish general is presenting a frustrated man who fully realizes the FUBAR scenario that he must participate in. On the minus side,Ryan O'Neal seems too youthful to be a general and Michael Caine has so little to do one wonders if there isn't quite a bit of extra footage laying around somewhere. Not that the film needs it, but it would be a nice DVD treat.
A Bridge Too Far is a great film. It's a pity Attenborough couldn't have assembled a similar cast and crew and gone on to make the definitive film version of Battle of the Bulge. That would have supplied the one thing lacking from Bridge-a victory.
A Classic Epic of the Second World War.......2007-04-01
This film adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's "A Bridge Too Far" strives to capture the enourmity of the heroic attempt by an Allied Airborne Army to reach the Rhine River and flank German defenses in Holland in the Fall of 1944. Ryan's book dealt with Operation Market-Garden at every level, from the foxhole to the Allied and German General Staffs. The movie features dozens of superb performances, including many cameos by strong actors in a nearly three hour movie, but is less coherent than the book.
Operation Market-Garden was the brain-child of British Field Marshal Montgomery, but the push to execute the high risk operation in the face of conflicting intelligence reporting came from an Airborne Army (led in the movie by Dirk Bogarde) that was a little too eager to get in the fight. The American 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions (the latter led in the movie by Ryan O'Neal), the British 1st Airborne Division (commanded in the movie by a superbly cast Sean Connery), and a Polish Parachute Brigade (led in the movie by Gene Hackman) were to lay down a carpet of troops through Holland to the Rhine River. British Thirty Corps (led in the movie by a scene-stealing Edward Fox, supported by Michael Caine) was supposed to batter its way up the narrow road opened by the airborne troops to the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Anthony Hopkins puts in a magnificently laconic performance as commander of the one unit that does reach Arnhem.
The German side is well represented by Maximilian Schell and Hardy Kruger as the respective Army and Division commanders responsible for the defense of Arnhem. Their initial surprise and confusion are quickly replaced by decisive action as the Germans forcefull moved to stave off the Allied attack short of success.
This hughly entertaining movie captures the individual heroism that underlies even an ultimately unsuccessful battle and the confusion that can undermine even the best of intentions by general officers. It is highly recommended to fans of the war epic genre and to the general viewer seeking an educational look at the battle.
Average customer rating:
- A Correction
- A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule
- Absolutely one of the best!
- A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film
- A Classic Epic of the Second World War
|
A Bridge Too Far (Collector's Edition)
Starring:
Dirk Bogarde ,
James Caan ,
Michael Caine ,
Sean Connery , and
Denholm Elliott
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Sean Connery
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Drama
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Horror
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Action & Combat
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Drama
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Great Battles
| By Theme
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
War Epics
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| British Cinema
| By Country
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Bogarde, Dirk
| ( B )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Caan, James
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Caine, Michael
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Connery, Sean
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Elliott, Denholm
| ( E )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Fox, Edward
| ( F )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Gould, Elliott
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Grimes, Frank
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hackman, Gene
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hopkins, Anthony
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Kemp, Jeremy
| ( K )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Olivier, Laurence
| ( O )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
O'Neal, Ryan
| ( O )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Redford, Robert
| ( R )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Schell, Maximilian
| ( S )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Ullmann, Liv
| ( U )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Attenborough, Richard
| ( A )
| Directors
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
All MGM Titles
| MGM Home Entertainment
| Studio Specials
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
General
| British Cinema
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Military & War
| By Theme
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
( B )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
Battle of Britain
-
The Longest Day
-
Battle of the Bulge
-
The Bridge at Remagen
-
Midway (Collector's Edition)
ASIN: B000ASDFEU
Release Date: 2005-10-25 |
Amazon.com essential video
This massive 1977 adaptation by director Richard Attenborough (Gandhi) of Cornelius Ryan's novel features an all-star cast in an epic rendering of a daring but ultimately disastrous raid behind enemy lines in Holland during the Second World War. A lengthy and exhaustive look at the mechanics of warfare and the price and futility of war, the film is almost too large for its aims but manages to be both picaresque and affecting, particularly in the performance of James Caan. The impressive cast includes Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde, Sean Connery, and Liv Ullmann among others. While not a classic war film, it nevertheless manages to be a consistently interesting and exciting adventure. --Robert Lane
Description
An epic film that "re-creates in stunning detail one of the most disastrous battles of World War II" (The Hollywood Reporter), A Bridge Too Far is a spectacular war picture. Painstakingly recreated on actual battlefield locations and boasting a remarkable cast that includes Sean Connery, Anthony Hopkins, Sir Laurence Olivier and Robert Redford, A Bridge Too Far accurately recaptures the monumental scope, excitement and danger behind one of the biggest military gambles in history.
In September 1944, flush with success after the Normandy Invasion, the Allies confidently launched Operation Market Garden, a wild scheme intended to put an early end to the fighting by invading Germany and smashing the Reich's war plants. But a combination of battlefield politics, faulty intelligence, bad luck and even worse weather led to disaster beyond the Allies' darkest fears.
Customer Reviews:
A Correction.......2007-07-15
I saw a comment made on the first Google page about this movie that credits an "over acting" Elliot Gould as Major Julian Cook. Julian Cook was played by ROBERT REDFORD who definitley did not "Over Act" in his part. This is an extremely well done movie which is why I rated it the way I did.
I've read the other reviews and almost everyone comments that Ryan O'Neal was too young to play a general. If anyone studies the history of World War II and the 82nd Airborne they would know that General James Gavin was 36 when he commanded at D-Day and Arnhem. He got his second star at 37, which made him the youngest general to hold that rank since George Custer during the Civil War.
A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule.......2007-07-08
The biggest lesson to be learned from this film is what happens when large ego individuals are not properly disciplined and contained while legitimate concerns are ignored; things go too far. In this case a Bridge Too Far with predictably disastrous results!
Absolutely one of the best!.......2007-06-25
If you're tired of the pieced together, staged stuff we usually (almost always) get, this is for you. This must be the most expertly directed war film of all time. The stars we know today as headliners are just in this doing their part as expected; no "look at me" types. Well, Ryan O'Neal seems out of place, but he's OK. This is a keeper.
A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film.......2007-05-25
A Bridge Too Far was one of the last epic WWII films. It cannot help but be linked to The Longest Day because they are both from Cornelius Ryan's books.
One of the differences in style from the previous film is the type of stars used for the main characters. Whereas Longest Day used many long-established stars, many who had been around for decades, the stars of Bridge are almost exclusively of contemporary vintage such as Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Ryan O'Neal, Elliot Gould, Anthony Hopkins, etc. Even Connery and Caine, who reached stardom in the Sixties are only in their mid-forties at this time. Unfortunately, and this is my only complaint, Attenborough chose to go with the trendy "Great Gatsby" style glow with the cinematography. The humor put into Longest Day is almost totally absent from Bridge and further contributes to its modern realism. Speaking of realism, those familiar with the writing of Panzer commander Hans Von Luck will appreciate the effort and money spent on the war action. It is spectacular. The artillery shelling is fearsome, the airborne assault is awesome, and the boat attacks are hellish.
Mr. Attenborough impressively helms this massive story, keeping track of the big picture while drawing in the the viewer with short, poignant individual exploits. The most memorable of these lasts only a few seconds as the Dutch father turns to see his son, who has been so brave and helpful, has been killed by a stray bullet. The horror of war in that moment is more real than the entire three hours of movies like Apocalypse Now. Shortly after that, the camera fills the frame with a monstrous German tank, firing mercilessly straight toward you.
Of the star-studded cast, Connery, Caan, and Hopkins shine the most. James Caan gets one of the best scenes in the movie: a wild jeep ride through German lines to save a buddy. If Steve McQueen had been in the movie, this would have been his role, but Caan does it quite well enough. Sean Connery was reportedly miffed that Redford got more than he did for much less screen time. Sean has a point, he's outstanding and convincing in his role, while Redford is pretty much playing Redford. Anthony Hopkins, whose star was rising at this point, puts another notch in his career as the Tommy paratrooper Colonel who's sent to do the impossible. Much of Gene Hackman's performance of the Polish general is presenting a frustrated man who fully realizes the FUBAR scenario that he must participate in. On the minus side,Ryan O'Neal seems too youthful to be a general and Michael Caine has so little to do one wonders if there isn't quite a bit of extra footage laying around somewhere. Not that the film needs it, but it would be a nice DVD treat.
A Bridge Too Far is a great film. It's a pity Attenborough couldn't have assembled a similar cast and crew and gone on to make the definitive film version of Battle of the Bulge. That would have supplied the one thing lacking from Bridge-a victory.
A Classic Epic of the Second World War.......2007-04-01
This film adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's "A Bridge Too Far" strives to capture the enourmity of the heroic attempt by an Allied Airborne Army to reach the Rhine River and flank German defenses in Holland in the Fall of 1944. Ryan's book dealt with Operation Market-Garden at every level, from the foxhole to the Allied and German General Staffs. The movie features dozens of superb performances, including many cameos by strong actors in a nearly three hour movie, but is less coherent than the book.
Operation Market-Garden was the brain-child of British Field Marshal Montgomery, but the push to execute the high risk operation in the face of conflicting intelligence reporting came from an Airborne Army (led in the movie by Dirk Bogarde) that was a little too eager to get in the fight. The American 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions (the latter led in the movie by Ryan O'Neal), the British 1st Airborne Division (commanded in the movie by a superbly cast Sean Connery), and a Polish Parachute Brigade (led in the movie by Gene Hackman) were to lay down a carpet of troops through Holland to the Rhine River. British Thirty Corps (led in the movie by a scene-stealing Edward Fox, supported by Michael Caine) was supposed to batter its way up the narrow road opened by the airborne troops to the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Anthony Hopkins puts in a magnificently laconic performance as commander of the one unit that does reach Arnhem.
The German side is well represented by Maximilian Schell and Hardy Kruger as the respective Army and Division commanders responsible for the defense of Arnhem. Their initial surprise and confusion are quickly replaced by decisive action as the Germans forcefull moved to stave off the Allied attack short of success.
This hughly entertaining movie captures the individual heroism that underlies even an ultimately unsuccessful battle and the confusion that can undermine even the best of intentions by general officers. It is highly recommended to fans of the war epic genre and to the general viewer seeking an educational look at the battle.
Average customer rating:
|
World War II Heroes Film Collection (Run Silent, Run Deep / The Great Escape / A Bridge Too Far / The Battle of Britain)
Starring:
Michael Caine ,
Laurence Olivier ,
Trevor Howard ,
Christopher Plummer , and
Ralph Richardson
Director:
Robert Wise
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Bruce Lee
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Burt Lancaster
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Charles Bronson
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Sean Connery
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Steve McQueen
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Drama
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
World War II
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Attenborough, Richard
| ( A )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Bogarde, Dirk
| ( B )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Bronson, Charles
| ( B )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Caan, James
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Caine, Michael
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Coburn, James
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Connery, Sean
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Gable, Clark
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Garner, James
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hackman, Gene
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hopkins, Anthony
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Howard, Trevor
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Lancaster, Burt
| ( L )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
McQueen, Steve
| ( M )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Olivier, Laurence
| ( O )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Pleasence, Donald
| ( P )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Plummer, Christopher
| ( P )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Redgrave, Michael
| ( R )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Richardson, Ralph
| ( R )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
York, Susannah
| ( Y )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Wise, Robert
| ( W )
| Directors
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
All MGM Titles
| MGM Home Entertainment
| Studio Specials
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Action & Adventure
| Boxed Sets
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Drama
| Boxed Sets
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
DVDs Under $9.99
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
( W )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
The Longest Day
-
The Devil's Brigade
-
Patton
-
Midway (Collector's Edition)
-
Twelve O'Clock High (Special Edition)
ASIN: B000NIBUVW
Release Date: 2007-05-22 |
Description
Disc 1: BATTLE OF BRITAIN Disc 2: THE GREAT ESCAPE Disc 3: A BRIDGE TOO FAR Disc 4: RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP
Average customer rating:
|
United Artists Cinema Greats Collection, Set 3 (12 Angry Men / A Bridge Too Far / Judgment At Nuremberg / Paths Of Glory)
Starring:
Henry Fonda ,
Kirk Douglas ,
Sean Connery ,
Michael Caine , and
Laurence Olivier
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Bruce Lee
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Burt Lancaster
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Kirk Douglas
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Sean Connery
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Drama
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Caine, Michael
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Cobb, Lee J
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Connery, Sean
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Douglas, Kirk
| ( D )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Fonda, Henry
| ( F )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hackman, Gene
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Lancaster, Burt
| ( L )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Olivier, Laurence
| ( O )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Tracy, Spencer
| ( T )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Widmark, Richard
| ( W )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
All MGM Titles
| MGM Home Entertainment
| Studio Specials
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Action & Adventure
| Boxed Sets
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Drama
| Boxed Sets
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
ASIN: B00000F4X2
Release Date: 2007-10-23 |
Description
Disc 1: Paths of Glory P&S Disc 2: Twelve Angry Men WS Disc 3: Judgment at Nuremberg WS Disc 4: A Bridge Too Far WS
Average customer rating:
|
Paths of Glory/A Bridge Too Far
Starring:
Dirk Bogarde ,
James Caan ,
Michael Caine ,
Sean Connery , and
Denholm Elliott
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Sean Connery
| Action Stars
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Bogarde, Dirk
| ( B )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Caan, James
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Caine, Michael
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Connery, Sean
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Elliott, Denholm
| ( E )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Fox, Edward
| ( F )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Gould, Elliott
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Grimes, Frank
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hackman, Gene
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hopkins, Anthony
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Kemp, Jeremy
| ( K )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Olivier, Laurence
| ( O )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
O'Neal, Ryan
| ( O )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Redford, Robert
| ( R )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Schell, Maximilian
| ( S )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Ullmann, Liv
| ( U )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Attenborough, Richard
| ( A )
| Directors
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
All MGM Titles
| MGM Home Entertainment
| Studio Specials
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
DVDs Under $14.99
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
( P )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
All Quiet on the Western Front (Universal Cinema Classics)
-
Battle of Britain
-
The Blue Max
-
Battle of the Bulge
-
Twelve O'Clock High (Special Edition)
ASIN: B000062XF8
Release Date: 2002-05-07 |
Average customer rating:
|
Theirs Is the Glory
Director:
Desmond Hurst
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
World War II
| Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
ASIN: B000NEJIBU |
Product Description
This remains one of the most compelling docu-dramas made of the dramatic paratroop landing and battle at Arnheim during WWII. Part of Operation Market Garden, this action was a major thrust by the Allies to break Germany using swift, lightning-like tactics. This film combines interviews of the original participantsof these battles with re-enactments by the same veterans, in the original ruins. See original Panzer Tanks and tons of original WWII equipment!
Product Description
Brand new,factory sealed, DVD manufactured in Hong Kong. Letterbox color image. Original English dialog. Optional subtitles in Chinese or English do not appear unless you go to the subtitles menu and turn them on. On screen menus are in English and are easy to use. Cast include Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, Donald Pleasence and Christopher Plummer. Directed by Anatole Litvak. The following review O'toole at his best, March 23, 2003
Reviewer: Christopher Sean Simon (Los Angeles, California)This film is a masterpiece, despite it's length. It is definately for the officianado who appreciates period dramas and the detail and perfection in which English acting brings to the genre. For instance, O'Toole is amazing as a sadistic Nazi gereral. Omar Sharif is excellent, still his looks do make it hard to believe he is a German Army Major and not a concentration camp victim. The plot is excellently played out over a series of 20 years and a serial murder case which pursues three Nazi gererals from occupied Poland, to Paris just before D-Day and post war Germany."
![A Bridge Too Far [Region 2]](http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/219ACAHT8CL.jpg)
Average customer rating:
- A Correction
- A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule
- Absolutely one of the best!
- A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film
- A Classic Epic of the Second World War
|
A Bridge Too Far [Region 2]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
| Boxed Sets
| Action & Combat
| Anti-War Films
| By Theme
| Civil War
| Comedy
| Documentary
| Drama
| International
| Iraq War
| Vietnam War
| War Epics
| World War I
| World War II
| Blu-ray
| HD DVD
| Universal Media Discs
( B )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
Battle of Britain
-
The Longest Day
-
Battle of the Bulge
-
The Bridge at Remagen
-
Midway (Collector's Edition)
ASIN: B000056B0Y |
Amazon.com essential video
This massive 1977 adaptation by director Richard Attenborough (Gandhi) of Cornelius Ryan's novel features an all-star cast in an epic rendering of a daring but ultimately disastrous raid behind enemy lines in Holland during the Second World War. A lengthy and exhaustive look at the mechanics of warfare and the price and futility of war, the film is almost too large for its aims but manages to be both picaresque and affecting, particularly in the performance of James Caan. The impressive cast includes Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde, Sean Connery, and Liv Ullmann among others. While not a classic war film, it nevertheless manages to be a consistently interesting and exciting adventure. --Robert Lane
Customer Reviews:
A Correction.......2007-07-15
I saw a comment made on the first Google page about this movie that credits an "over acting" Elliot Gould as Major Julian Cook. Julian Cook was played by ROBERT REDFORD who definitley did not "Over Act" in his part. This is an extremely well done movie which is why I rated it the way I did.
I've read the other reviews and almost everyone comments that Ryan O'Neal was too young to play a general. If anyone studies the history of World War II and the 82nd Airborne they would know that General James Gavin was 36 when he commanded at D-Day and Arnhem. He got his second star at 37, which made him the youngest general to hold that rank since George Custer during the Civil War.
A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule.......2007-07-08
The biggest lesson to be learned from this film is what happens when large ego individuals are not properly disciplined and contained while legitimate concerns are ignored; things go too far. In this case a Bridge Too Far with predictably disastrous results!
Absolutely one of the best!.......2007-06-25
If you're tired of the pieced together, staged stuff we usually (almost always) get, this is for you. This must be the most expertly directed war film of all time. The stars we know today as headliners are just in this doing their part as expected; no "look at me" types. Well, Ryan O'Neal seems out of place, but he's OK. This is a keeper.
A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film.......2007-05-25
A Bridge Too Far was one of the last epic WWII films. It cannot help but be linked to The Longest Day because they are both from Cornelius Ryan's books.
One of the differences in style from the previous film is the type of stars used for the main characters. Whereas Longest Day used many long-established stars, many who had been around for decades, the stars of Bridge are almost exclusively of contemporary vintage such as Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Ryan O'Neal, Elliot Gould, Anthony Hopkins, etc. Even Connery and Caine, who reached stardom in the Sixties are only in their mid-forties at this time. Unfortunately, and this is my only complaint, Attenborough chose to go with the trendy "Great Gatsby" style glow with the cinematography. The humor put into Longest Day is almost totally absent from Bridge and further contributes to its modern realism. Speaking of realism, those familiar with the writing of Panzer commander Hans Von Luck will appreciate the effort and money spent on the war action. It is spectacular. The artillery shelling is fearsome, the airborne assault is awesome, and the boat attacks are hellish.
Mr. Attenborough impressively helms this massive story, keeping track of the big picture while drawing in the the viewer with short, poignant individual exploits. The most memorable of these lasts only a few seconds as the Dutch father turns to see his son, who has been so brave and helpful, has been killed by a stray bullet. The horror of war in that moment is more real than the entire three hours of movies like Apocalypse Now. Shortly after that, the camera fills the frame with a monstrous German tank, firing mercilessly straight toward you.
Of the star-studded cast, Connery, Caan, and Hopkins shine the most. James Caan gets one of the best scenes in the movie: a wild jeep ride through German lines to save a buddy. If Steve McQueen had been in the movie, this would have been his role, but Caan does it quite well enough. Sean Connery was reportedly miffed that Redford got more than he did for much less screen time. Sean has a point, he's outstanding and convincing in his role, while Redford is pretty much playing Redford. Anthony Hopkins, whose star was rising at this point, puts another notch in his career as the Tommy paratrooper Colonel who's sent to do the impossible. Much of Gene Hackman's performance of the Polish general is presenting a frustrated man who fully realizes the FUBAR scenario that he must participate in. On the minus side,Ryan O'Neal seems too youthful to be a general and Michael Caine has so little to do one wonders if there isn't quite a bit of extra footage laying around somewhere. Not that the film needs it, but it would be a nice DVD treat.
A Bridge Too Far is a great film. It's a pity Attenborough couldn't have assembled a similar cast and crew and gone on to make the definitive film version of Battle of the Bulge. That would have supplied the one thing lacking from Bridge-a victory.
A Classic Epic of the Second World War.......2007-04-01
This film adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's "A Bridge Too Far" strives to capture the enourmity of the heroic attempt by an Allied Airborne Army to reach the Rhine River and flank German defenses in Holland in the Fall of 1944. Ryan's book dealt with Operation Market-Garden at every level, from the foxhole to the Allied and German General Staffs. The movie features dozens of superb performances, including many cameos by strong actors in a nearly three hour movie, but is less coherent than the book.
Operation Market-Garden was the brain-child of British Field Marshal Montgomery, but the push to execute the high risk operation in the face of conflicting intelligence reporting came from an Airborne Army (led in the movie by Dirk Bogarde) that was a little too eager to get in the fight. The American 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions (the latter led in the movie by Ryan O'Neal), the British 1st Airborne Division (commanded in the movie by a superbly cast Sean Connery), and a Polish Parachute Brigade (led in the movie by Gene Hackman) were to lay down a carpet of troops through Holland to the Rhine River. British Thirty Corps (led in the movie by a scene-stealing Edward Fox, supported by Michael Caine) was supposed to batter its way up the narrow road opened by the airborne troops to the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Anthony Hopkins puts in a magnificently laconic performance as commander of the one unit that does reach Arnhem.
The German side is well represented by Maximilian Schell and Hardy Kruger as the respective Army and Division commanders responsible for the defense of Arnhem. Their initial surprise and confusion are quickly replaced by decisive action as the Germans forcefull moved to stave off the Allied attack short of success.
This hughly entertaining movie captures the individual heroism that underlies even an ultimately unsuccessful battle and the confusion that can undermine even the best of intentions by general officers. It is highly recommended to fans of the war epic genre and to the general viewer seeking an educational look at the battle.
![A Bridge Too Far [Region 2]](http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21W723RP4TL.jpg)
Average customer rating:
- A Correction
- A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule
- Absolutely one of the best!
- A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film
- A Classic Epic of the Second World War
|
A Bridge Too Far [Region 2]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
| Boxed Sets
| Action & Combat
| Anti-War Films
| By Theme
| Civil War
| Comedy
| Documentary
| Drama
| International
| Iraq War
| Vietnam War
| War Epics
| World War I
| World War II
| Blu-ray
| HD DVD
| Universal Media Discs
( B )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
Battle of Britain
-
The Longest Day
-
Battle of the Bulge
-
The Bridge at Remagen
-
Midway (Collector's Edition)
ASIN: B0001P1BNO |
Amazon.com essential video
This massive 1977 adaptation by director Richard Attenborough (Gandhi) of Cornelius Ryan's novel features an all-star cast in an epic rendering of a daring but ultimately disastrous raid behind enemy lines in Holland during the Second World War. A lengthy and exhaustive look at the mechanics of warfare and the price and futility of war, the film is almost too large for its aims but manages to be both picaresque and affecting, particularly in the performance of James Caan. The impressive cast includes Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde, Sean Connery, and Liv Ullmann among others. While not a classic war film, it nevertheless manages to be a consistently interesting and exciting adventure. --Robert Lane
Customer Reviews:
A Correction.......2007-07-15
I saw a comment made on the first Google page about this movie that credits an "over acting" Elliot Gould as Major Julian Cook. Julian Cook was played by ROBERT REDFORD who definitley did not "Over Act" in his part. This is an extremely well done movie which is why I rated it the way I did.
I've read the other reviews and almost everyone comments that Ryan O'Neal was too young to play a general. If anyone studies the history of World War II and the 82nd Airborne they would know that General James Gavin was 36 when he commanded at D-Day and Arnhem. He got his second star at 37, which made him the youngest general to hold that rank since George Custer during the Civil War.
A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule.......2007-07-08
The biggest lesson to be learned from this film is what happens when large ego individuals are not properly disciplined and contained while legitimate concerns are ignored; things go too far. In this case a Bridge Too Far with predictably disastrous results!
Absolutely one of the best!.......2007-06-25
If you're tired of the pieced together, staged stuff we usually (almost always) get, this is for you. This must be the most expertly directed war film of all time. The stars we know today as headliners are just in this doing their part as expected; no "look at me" types. Well, Ryan O'Neal seems out of place, but he's OK. This is a keeper.
A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film.......2007-05-25
A Bridge Too Far was one of the last epic WWII films. It cannot help but be linked to The Longest Day because they are both from Cornelius Ryan's books.
One of the differences in style from the previous film is the type of stars used for the main characters. Whereas Longest Day used many long-established stars, many who had been around for decades, the stars of Bridge are almost exclusively of contemporary vintage such as Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Ryan O'Neal, Elliot Gould, Anthony Hopkins, etc. Even Connery and Caine, who reached stardom in the Sixties are only in their mid-forties at this time. Unfortunately, and this is my only complaint, Attenborough chose to go with the trendy "Great Gatsby" style glow with the cinematography. The humor put into Longest Day is almost totally absent from Bridge and further contributes to its modern realism. Speaking of realism, those familiar with the writing of Panzer commander Hans Von Luck will appreciate the effort and money spent on the war action. It is spectacular. The artillery shelling is fearsome, the airborne assault is awesome, and the boat attacks are hellish.
Mr. Attenborough impressively helms this massive story, keeping track of the big picture while drawing in the the viewer with short, poignant individual exploits. The most memorable of these lasts only a few seconds as the Dutch father turns to see his son, who has been so brave and helpful, has been killed by a stray bullet. The horror of war in that moment is more real than the entire three hours of movies like Apocalypse Now. Shortly after that, the camera fills the frame with a monstrous German tank, firing mercilessly straight toward you.
Of the star-studded cast, Connery, Caan, and Hopkins shine the most. James Caan gets one of the best scenes in the movie: a wild jeep ride through German lines to save a buddy. If Steve McQueen had been in the movie, this would have been his role, but Caan does it quite well enough. Sean Connery was reportedly miffed that Redford got more than he did for much less screen time. Sean has a point, he's outstanding and convincing in his role, while Redford is pretty much playing Redford. Anthony Hopkins, whose star was rising at this point, puts another notch in his career as the Tommy paratrooper Colonel who's sent to do the impossible. Much of Gene Hackman's performance of the Polish general is presenting a frustrated man who fully realizes the FUBAR scenario that he must participate in. On the minus side,Ryan O'Neal seems too youthful to be a general and Michael Caine has so little to do one wonders if there isn't quite a bit of extra footage laying around somewhere. Not that the film needs it, but it would be a nice DVD treat.
A Bridge Too Far is a great film. It's a pity Attenborough couldn't have assembled a similar cast and crew and gone on to make the definitive film version of Battle of the Bulge. That would have supplied the one thing lacking from Bridge-a victory.
A Classic Epic of the Second World War.......2007-04-01
This film adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's "A Bridge Too Far" strives to capture the enourmity of the heroic attempt by an Allied Airborne Army to reach the Rhine River and flank German defenses in Holland in the Fall of 1944. Ryan's book dealt with Operation Market-Garden at every level, from the foxhole to the Allied and German General Staffs. The movie features dozens of superb performances, including many cameos by strong actors in a nearly three hour movie, but is less coherent than the book.
Operation Market-Garden was the brain-child of British Field Marshal Montgomery, but the push to execute the high risk operation in the face of conflicting intelligence reporting came from an Airborne Army (led in the movie by Dirk Bogarde) that was a little too eager to get in the fight. The American 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions (the latter led in the movie by Ryan O'Neal), the British 1st Airborne Division (commanded in the movie by a superbly cast Sean Connery), and a Polish Parachute Brigade (led in the movie by Gene Hackman) were to lay down a carpet of troops through Holland to the Rhine River. British Thirty Corps (led in the movie by a scene-stealing Edward Fox, supported by Michael Caine) was supposed to batter its way up the narrow road opened by the airborne troops to the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Anthony Hopkins puts in a magnificently laconic performance as commander of the one unit that does reach Arnhem.
The German side is well represented by Maximilian Schell and Hardy Kruger as the respective Army and Division commanders responsible for the defense of Arnhem. Their initial surprise and confusion are quickly replaced by decisive action as the Germans forcefull moved to stave off the Allied attack short of success.
This hughly entertaining movie captures the individual heroism that underlies even an ultimately unsuccessful battle and the confusion that can undermine even the best of intentions by general officers. It is highly recommended to fans of the war epic genre and to the general viewer seeking an educational look at the battle.
Average customer rating:
- A Correction
- A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule
- Absolutely one of the best!
- A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film
- A Classic Epic of the Second World War
|
A Bridge Too Far [Region 2]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Military & War
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
| Boxed Sets
| Action & Combat
| Anti-War Films
| By Theme
| Civil War
| Comedy
| Documentary
| Drama
| International
| Iraq War
| Vietnam War
| War Epics
| World War I
| World War II
| Blu-ray
| HD DVD
| Universal Media Discs
( B )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
Battle of Britain
-
The Longest Day
-
Battle of the Bulge
-
The Bridge at Remagen
-
Midway (Collector's Edition)
ASIN: B00004Z2YY |
Amazon.com essential video
This massive 1977 adaptation by director Richard Attenborough (Gandhi) of Cornelius Ryan's novel features an all-star cast in an epic rendering of a daring but ultimately disastrous raid behind enemy lines in Holland during the Second World War. A lengthy and exhaustive look at the mechanics of warfare and the price and futility of war, the film is almost too large for its aims but manages to be both picaresque and affecting, particularly in the performance of James Caan. The impressive cast includes Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde, Sean Connery, and Liv Ullmann among others. While not a classic war film, it nevertheless manages to be a consistently interesting and exciting adventure. --Robert Lane
Customer Reviews:
A Correction.......2007-07-15
I saw a comment made on the first Google page about this movie that credits an "over acting" Elliot Gould as Major Julian Cook. Julian Cook was played by ROBERT REDFORD who definitley did not "Over Act" in his part. This is an extremely well done movie which is why I rated it the way I did.
I've read the other reviews and almost everyone comments that Ryan O'Neal was too young to play a general. If anyone studies the history of World War II and the 82nd Airborne they would know that General James Gavin was 36 when he commanded at D-Day and Arnhem. He got his second star at 37, which made him the youngest general to hold that rank since George Custer during the Civil War.
A decent WWII flick, but shows what happens when ego's are allowed to rule.......2007-07-08
The biggest lesson to be learned from this film is what happens when large ego individuals are not properly disciplined and contained while legitimate concerns are ignored; things go too far. In this case a Bridge Too Far with predictably disastrous results!
Absolutely one of the best!.......2007-06-25
If you're tired of the pieced together, staged stuff we usually (almost always) get, this is for you. This must be the most expertly directed war film of all time. The stars we know today as headliners are just in this doing their part as expected; no "look at me" types. Well, Ryan O'Neal seems out of place, but he's OK. This is a keeper.
A Bridge from Classic to Modern War Film.......2007-05-25
A Bridge Too Far was one of the last epic WWII films. It cannot help but be linked to The Longest Day because they are both from Cornelius Ryan's books.
One of the differences in style from the previous film is the type of stars used for the main characters. Whereas Longest Day used many long-established stars, many who had been around for decades, the stars of Bridge are almost exclusively of contemporary vintage such as Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Ryan O'Neal, Elliot Gould, Anthony Hopkins, etc. Even Connery and Caine, who reached stardom in the Sixties are only in their mid-forties at this time. Unfortunately, and this is my only complaint, Attenborough chose to go with the trendy "Great Gatsby" style glow with the cinematography. The humor put into Longest Day is almost totally absent from Bridge and further contributes to its modern realism. Speaking of realism, those familiar with the writing of Panzer commander Hans Von Luck will appreciate the effort and money spent on the war action. It is spectacular. The artillery shelling is fearsome, the airborne assault is awesome, and the boat attacks are hellish.
Mr. Attenborough impressively helms this massive story, keeping track of the big picture while drawing in the the viewer with short, poignant individual exploits. The most memorable of these lasts only a few seconds as the Dutch father turns to see his son, who has been so brave and helpful, has been killed by a stray bullet. The horror of war in that moment is more real than the entire three hours of movies like Apocalypse Now. Shortly after that, the camera fills the frame with a monstrous German tank, firing mercilessly straight toward you.
Of the star-studded cast, Connery, Caan, and Hopkins shine the most. James Caan gets one of the best scenes in the movie: a wild jeep ride through German lines to save a buddy. If Steve McQueen had been in the movie, this would have been his role, but Caan does it quite well enough. Sean Connery was reportedly miffed that Redford got more than he did for much less screen time. Sean has a point, he's outstanding and convincing in his role, while Redford is pretty much playing Redford. Anthony Hopkins, whose star was rising at this point, puts another notch in his career as the Tommy paratrooper Colonel who's sent to do the impossible. Much of Gene Hackman's performance of the Polish general is presenting a frustrated man who fully realizes the FUBAR scenario that he must participate in. On the minus side,Ryan O'Neal seems too youthful to be a general and Michael Caine has so little to do one wonders if there isn't quite a bit of extra footage laying around somewhere. Not that the film needs it, but it would be a nice DVD treat.
A Bridge Too Far is a great film. It's a pity Attenborough couldn't have assembled a similar cast and crew and gone on to make the definitive film version of Battle of the Bulge. That would have supplied the one thing lacking from Bridge-a victory.
A Classic Epic of the Second World War.......2007-04-01
This film adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's "A Bridge Too Far" strives to capture the enourmity of the heroic attempt by an Allied Airborne Army to reach the Rhine River and flank German defenses in Holland in the Fall of 1944. Ryan's book dealt with Operation Market-Garden at every level, from the foxhole to the Allied and German General Staffs. The movie features dozens of superb performances, including many cameos by strong actors in a nearly three hour movie, but is less coherent than the book.
Operation Market-Garden was the brain-child of British Field Marshal Montgomery, but the push to execute the high risk operation in the face of conflicting intelligence reporting came from an Airborne Army (led in the movie by Dirk Bogarde) that was a little too eager to get in the fight. The American 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions (the latter led in the movie by Ryan O'Neal), the British 1st Airborne Division (commanded in the movie by a superbly cast Sean Connery), and a Polish Parachute Brigade (led in the movie by Gene Hackman) were to lay down a carpet of troops through Holland to the Rhine River. British Thirty Corps (led in the movie by a scene-stealing Edward Fox, supported by Michael Caine) was supposed to batter its way up the narrow road opened by the airborne troops to the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Anthony Hopkins puts in a magnificently laconic performance as commander of the one unit that does reach Arnhem.
The German side is well represented by Maximilian Schell and Hardy Kruger as the respective Army and Division commanders responsible for the defense of Arnhem. Their initial surprise and confusion are quickly replaced by decisive action as the Germans forcefull moved to stave off the Allied attack short of success.
This hughly entertaining movie captures the individual heroism that underlies even an ultimately unsuccessful battle and the confusion that can undermine even the best of intentions by general officers. It is highly recommended to fans of the war epic genre and to the general viewer seeking an educational look at the battle.
DVD:
- Anne of Green Gables
- Astronomy 101 (Killer Klowns from Outer Space / Spaceballs / The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension)
- Batman Begins [HD DVD]
- Black Hawk Down [Blu-ray]
- Blades of Glory (Widescreen Edition)
- Blades of Glory (Widescreen Edition)
- Bloodsport
- Captain Blood
- Charlie Chan Collection, Vol. 1 (Charlie Chan in London / Charlie Chan in Paris / Charlie Chan in Egypt / Charlie Chan in Shanghai / Eran Trece)
- Clash of the Titans
DVD
DVD
![El Cid (1961) [Import]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000ASSDVA.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The African Queen [IMPORT]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000GJ2882.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)