CS Weekly Archive > DVD of the Day > 01/06/06

Historical Failure as Epic Art

by jason davis

Heroically dramatizing the greatest Allied defeat of World War II, A Bridge Too Far turns an epic defeat into a testament to those who fought and a reminder of the futility of war.

A Bridge Too Far (Collector's Edition)

William Goldman
Based on the book by Cornelius Ryan

Desiring to beat General George S. Patton to Berlin, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery conceived a strategy that would drop 35,000 airborne soldiers behind German lines, allowing the Allies to secure several key bridges throughout Holland. A poorly conceived drop site and malfunctioning equipment cripple Major General Roy Urquhart's (Sean Connery) forces while unexpected German resistance holds Lieutenant Colonel John Frost's (Anthony Hopkins) advanced party at bay. All the while, Lieutenant Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur's (Michael Caine) tank convoy, with vital supplies, falls further behind schedule, endangering the lives of soldiers deep inside enemy territory.

A Bridge Too Far portrays that plan, codenamed "Market Garden," from the perspectives of a dozen officers and their men as the Allies encounter unexpectedly strong resistance and every conceivable misfortune that can befall a military campaign. Screenwriter William Goldman makes excellent use of the operation's scope by setting the action along the Allied invasion route, with each bridge serving as a narrative focal point. The chain reactions caused by failures at the southern end of the route are played out deeper into enemy territory, and the audience's sense of tension is increased by Goldman's skillful deployment of dramatic irony. Strong introductions make the large-scale cast easily recognizable during the heat of action, and the occasional cut away to the German perspective adds a sense of even-handedness to the proceedings. The participation of many of the officers portrayed in the film as technical consultants adds verisimilitude to the proceedings, while Goldman keeps the story moving toward its inevitable bitter end.


- Commentary with screenwriter William Goldman and key crew members
- Feature-length trivia track
- A Bridge Too Far: Heroes from the Sky documentary
- A Distant Battle: Memories from Operation Market Garden featurette
- Richard Attenborough: A Filmmaker Remembers featurette
- Behind-the-scenes photo gallery

The detailed audio commentary, assembling comments from Goldman and several key crew members, allows the writer to point out lines stolen from reality. The screenwriter candidly notes that the film's 176-minute length was an uncomfortable adaptation, but that it was necessary to convey the scope that independent producer Joseph E. Levine sought. A text commentary relating historical facts relating to the film is an informative source for both the actual history of Operation Market Garden as well as the film's adaptation of those events. The second disc features two documentaries highlighting the film's production and the actual campaign, along with a reminiscence by Academy Award-winning director Richard Attenborough.

At once the greatest failure for the Allies, the dramatization of the campaign serves as a fitting tribute to the men who faced the insurmountable odds depicted. Screenwriter William Goldman's energetic pacing and skill for spreading the screen time amongst his gallery of stars combine with a canny knack for balancing action with drama in a war film at the top of its genre.

A Bridge Too Far (Collector's Edition)
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rated PG; 176 min.
$24.96

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At the age of 21, Jason Davis was hit in the face with a car. He has since devoted his life to writing. His words have appeared on TBS, MSN.com, and CS Weekly, where he serves as DVD Coordinator. He lives in Burbank.

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