A Bridge Too Far.

i thought robert redford played gen james gavin.but anthony hopkins played his role well,and the para with the brolly;walking over arnhem bridge.yours,4th wilts.

 

Ryan O'Neal played Gavin
A Bridge Too Far (1977)

 

Critics alleged that Ryan O'Neal (35 when it was filmed ) was too young to play Gavin but in fact he was a similar age to the real Gavin in 1944 (37). The real 'man with the umbrella', Digby Tatham-Warter actually survived the battle. He was apparently rather surprised to learn that he died in the film!
If you're interested in Arnhem, it's worth getting hold of 'Their's Was The Glory' a remarkable drama-documentary made just after the war with a large number of veterans of the battle and mostly filmed on the actual locations. There is also a slightly bizarre but quite large-scale amateur film production shot in the 1960s called 'Baskeyfield VC' made in honour of the Staffordshire VC winner which used to be available on video.

 

i believe matt ridgeway was c.o of 82nd a/div.before gavin.yours,4th wilts

 

gen horrocks did a t.v show too,although i have not seen it.i do know a member of the generals family though,nice bloke.yours,4th wilts.

 

The late Paul Maxwell was a very good look alike for General Maxwell Taylor, the CO of 101st Airborne in ABTF. In fact, as the actor boards his plane at the start of the operation, Attenborough deliberately recreates one of the most famous photos of General Taylor. If you watch the film you'll see the comparison shot.

 

Ridgway's name was spelled without an "e", as shown in this sentence.

 

'Their's Was The Glory'
This film,or parts atleast play on a loop in the museum at Oosterbeek,Im sure I spotted a baby faced wasisname from the profesionals/upstairs downstairs in it. The one thing most people have to say about the film though is,as said above many were veterns,they did kind of overplay a unrealistic edge of silly heroics,such as running everywhere....ah well,atleast it focuses on those "forgotten "aspects,ie ,most of what the rest of 1stAbn did.

 

I've seen the film several times and I think I would have spotted Gordon Jackson if he were in it. Some of the acting does leave a little to be desired but these are soldiers, not thespians. My favourite bit is when the 'hero' of the film tells an officer that his jeep crew have been wiped out. He replies with a very understated 'Blast!'
Interesting that you do hear the Para warcry 'Waho Muhammad!' a couple of times. I don't remember it in 'A Bridge too Far'.

 

Ive never actually seen the film outside the clips shown in the Hartenstien,I was sure he was one of the wounded in the old church,I could be wrong,I didnt go to the museum to stand and watch an old movie afterall
What I do know is that every now and again clips from it get mixed up with actual footage from the battle,normally the initial landing stages followed by everyone dashing off at the gallop straight to Arnhem

 

"Para warcry 'Waho Muhammad!"
Youve got to wonder if this still gets used? Must mightily confuse the talib/insurgents if it does
"Hey,Achmed,those infadels are stealing our lines ..."

 

I'll have to check my copy of 'Band of Brothers' but I think that you hear the warcry in the scene where Brigadier Gerald Lathbury (played by Nigel Pargetter from 'The Archers'!) and his men are celebrating their escape across the Rhine aided by Easy Company. As you say, I'm not sure if the Paras still use it today...

 

A quick search of Internet Movie Database shows that Gordon Jackson was NOT in "theirs is the Glory". Gordon Jackson (I). Unless if he was an uncredited extra.

 

i thought colonel tilly was in band of brothers,he had a red beret,but tilly was c.o of the 4th dorsets,who tried to get across.lee.

 

i also remember the incident in the book,some ss blokes were lining up some paras against a wall,only a british officer who spoke german saved them.these are british soldiers,not russians,he said.yours,4th wilts.

 

no,no owen,it was only the timely arrival of an officer,in a jeep.4th wilts.

 

Given that the members of 9th and 10th SS were veterans of the Eastern Front it doesnt surprise me that they werent perturbed in the least by shooting someone so casually.

 

i think twas a different book too,i was on about abtf.yours,lee.