A Bridge Too Far.

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by Peter Clare, Nov 17, 2006.

  1. 4th wilts

    4th wilts Discharged

    my brother bought me a hardback version a couple of years ago.it seems a shorter version than the paperback.trouble is i cant read paperback books,the pages keep flicking back,its a nightmare,bloody fingers not working and what not.lee.
     
  2. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    The film is a watchable one alright. Connery is excellent as Urquhart although "Boy" Browning is not portrayed in a very favourable light by Dirk Bogarde.
     
  3. 4th wilts

    4th wilts Discharged

    i thought edward fox as general horrocks,was a good performance.yours,lee.
     
  4. Cpl Rootes

    Cpl Rootes Senior Member

    I think it is a classic.

    Caine's line of
    "I've got nothing else planned for this afternoon"

    fantastic
     
  5. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    A Sour note mates...I, like many other market garden Vets, think the whole film thing was totally and absolutely unreal. Condescending about the British, and what is worse the implications that we held back. For me.....That film is utter rubbish. It also does our men a great injustice.
    Having been on the market garden drive North. It does not even bear the faintest relation to what took place. But it was not designed to tell the truth, it was designed to make money in the USA market (Did the very well)

    I know that there will be dissenters here! but Sorry lads it has to be said, if only for the memory of those of our mates that paid the price. many of them good friends of mine.......Rest in peace Pals.
    Sapper
     
  6. Cpl Rootes

    Cpl Rootes Senior Member

    A Sour note mates...I, like many other market garden Vets, think the whole film thing was totally and absolutely unreal. Condescending about the British, and what is worse the implications that we held back. For me.....That film is utter rubbish. It also does our men a great injustice.
    Having been on the market garden drive North. It does not even bear the faintest relation to what took place. But it was not designed to tell the truth, it was designed to make money in the USA market (Did the very well)

    I know that there will be dissenters here! but Sorry lads it has to be said, if only for the memory of those of our mates that paid the price. many of them good friends of mine.......Rest in peace Pals.
    Sapper


    I do agree that it does rather lay the blame on the Brits which I find rather annoying.

    As you also put Sapper, it is a film designed to line pockets of US film makers so we are luckey that Brits are in it at all!
     
  7. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    The film was based on a book by Cornelius Ryan, an American Author who pulls no punches in his antipathy towards the British. The story is definitely biased against the British. The film was directed by Lord Attenborough who as we all know was British so whilst the film makers might well have been Americans, the Director was most definitely not. Not exactly an American conspiracy now is it lads??? :D
     
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  8. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Member

    Having spoken to a number of Arnhem veterans I can quite understand Sapper's point. The film is OK in parts, very unfair in others ; 'Hamish' Mahaddie who was involved with procuring the aircraft refused to have his name shown in the credits when he saw the final result.

    For myself, I'd go along with Urquhart's own opinion ; '...a reasonably accurate spectacular'.

    But let's be honest, the film has forever raised the profile of the Battle of Arnhem, many books and memoirs would not have been published, and much research wouldn't have been done, without that movie. In that respect, it's a little like Lean's 'Lawrence Of Arabia'.
     
  9. cash_13

    cash_13 Senior Member

    Sapper I am not qualified to have an opinion as to wether it was accurate or not like your goodself and the mates that you lost but as a lover of any ww2 films I enjoyed watching it thats all I meant to at least get the feel of the loss etc and the major blunders that some of the leadership made my ignoring advice etc on the discovery of the SS being at rest in the area.......

    No affence ment best regards Lee F
     
  10. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    That the USA produce exciting and interesting films goes without saying. But as to the truth? Most of the Vets find it amusing.
    Sapper
     
  11. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    That the USA produce exciting and interesting films goes without saying. But as to the truth? Most of the Vets find it amusing.
    Sapper
    As posted before Sapper, the film was directed by an Englishman so I dont think it was the americans deliberately making a film slating the English. Having said that, the book its based on seems to lay the blame on XXX Corps. but it wasnt the Americans deliberatly trying to "put down" the English army on this one. :)
     
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  12. 4th wilts

    4th wilts Discharged

    i like the guy with the cigar,who had son bridge blown in his face.according to dick winters,it was him.lee.
     
  13. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Lee, I think that was Elliott Gould who starred in the film!
     
  14. uksubs

    uksubs Senior Member

    A Sour note mates...I, like many other market garden Vets, think the whole film thing was totally and absolutely unreal. Condescending about the British, and what is worse the implications that we held back. For me.....That film is utter rubbish. It also does our men a great injustice.
    Having been on the market garden drive North. It does not even bear the faintest relation to what took place. But it was not designed to tell the truth, it was designed to make money in the USA market (Did the very well)

    I know that there will be dissenters here! but Sorry lads it has to be said, if only for the memory of those of our mates that paid the price. many of them good friends of mine.......Rest in peace Pals.
    Sapper

    I have to agree with Sapper on this one :)
    I don't like how it show the British army
    In the film it show the German finding the plans for the battle on a British para ,when in fact it was found on US troops :huh:
     
  15. 4th wilts

    4th wilts Discharged

    hey gott,watch the lost evidence on t.v.dick winters says he had to take son bridge.yours,lee.
     
  16. chipmunk wallah

    chipmunk wallah Senior Member

    Well Eliot Gouldes part was a "composite" ,one of many in a film with a huge cast. As Sapper and a few others have pointed out it really does fall flat on its face in a few places,but,ironically,how do I know that? Yep,thats right,from loving the film and book as a child to developing an interest,discovering relatives were involved(7th KOSBs),and then visiting Arnhem many times in my 20s and meeting some fantastic people.
    ter host family.JPG
    The picture was around 2000/2001, I was pootling around on a mate who lives in Arnhems' bike(its Holland,what else?;) ) down near the river bank,I heard the pipes and being a Scott was naturaly drawn to the sound only to discover ,quite by accident as I had got a little lost, for the first time the old church at Oosterbeek and who should be there but Dr Ter Host and one of his Daughters!
     
  17. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I never take offence at you Lee, my old sausage! I enjoy your postings mate.
    Sapper
     
  18. BakerCo563rd

    BakerCo563rd World's Okayest Poster

    i like the guy with the cigar,who had son bridge blown in his face.according to dick winters,it was him.lee.
    I read somewhere that the character "Bobby Stout" was actually loosely based on Col. Robert Sink of the 506th PIR. Is Dick Winters trying to steal his old boss's thunder? :D
     
  19. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    hey gott,watch the lost evidence on t.v.dick winters says he had to take son bridge.yours,lee.
    Thanks for the tip Lee. Didnt get a chance to watch it though :(
     
  20. 4th wilts

    4th wilts Discharged

    i like to take the piss boys.i think that guy with the cigar says im from yugoslavia.4th wilts.;)
     

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