My dad was one of the survivors of Arnhem, I remember going to see this film with him when it came out. He said it was a good film but not tough enough. Loved the soundtrack though. Played it at his funeral. So proud of him
My father was with the 82nd ABN at Nijmegan that assaulted the bridge there. He told me he always had the greatest respect for the British soldier and moreso if they were airborne. All airborne are a unique 'Band of Brothers"
john dates My dad would have agreed with you. He said that he had the utmost respect for all the Airborne troops. He also said that it extended to the German Paras too
I don't know about others, but this song actually helps me to go through my mild depression. I mean, its optimistic tone in the face of disaster sort of helps me to move forward.
👏👏👏 Remind's me the scene when Edward Fox said that during the explanation of the operation market garden . I love that scene I saw it a thousand times .
Oh there has never been such a true Statement. My late Dad told me, as he bounced me on His knee, 'Nobody will be interested in what we did in "The War'. Now look....Europe wants to bite off our nuts, just like the old lion, inspired by uneducated, unappreciative, ignorant and ungrateful Children who think they know it all. Freedom comes at a price. You'd better believe it.
That's not irony. "the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect." The above is the definition of irony.
Indeed. My father knew (or had met) many of the commanding officers involved in Market Garden. He was 54 when he died in 1982. As a young teenage girl, one of the last great 'adventures' I remember with him was when we drove down to Dorset to try to buy a [military vehicle] of some type from a guy who supplied many used in the film. He [the salesman] briefly appears in the film, driving Sean Connery in a Jeep. My father was obsessed with the idea that he could own something that would connect him to his childhood heroes. He never did buy that vehicle (whatever it was) but, to this day, I honour his - and their - memory by visiting the Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek, whenever I pass through Arnhem.
The real Colonel Frost was invited to watch the Arnhem bridge attack scenes in which he was played by Anthony Hopkins. He smiled a lot, but at one point looked quite angry. After Attenborough shouted "Cut", Anthony Hopkins went over to the old officer and said, "Was something wrong ?" Colonel Frost replied, "The bit you just did when the Germans attack....well, you ran back to your men...." "Er, yes," said Hopkins. "Well, you see, "said Colonel Frost, "British officers never run away. It sets such a bad example to the men. We march smartly, but we never run !"
yes its true, obviously I don't remember the exact words, many of the crew including myself were there that day, summer 1976. He did however get shot back then.I was 16 years old and a bit frightened to ask, but the other members of the crew said "go on ask him he won't mind", so I asked Colonel Frost if it was really like the film so far, he said "yes pretty much but there was a lot of things different too, after all it was American money and things were added and changed"
During the This Is Your Life episode with General John Frost,Anthony Hopkins gave a beautiful tribute to the bravery and courage of Lt.Colonel Frost and his men.
My great uncle Dykstra was there , parachuted in . He was a sergeant U.S. It always amazes me, 6 brothers from small town Wisconsin all farmers and all came back!
Semper Fi from upper Michigan Marine lotta folks down in the great state of Wisconsin Big Men and strong! Don't mess with yooperers lumberjacks and God forbid the farmers from Wisconsin
Members of the 10th SS Panzer Division’s 21st Panzergrenadier Regiment were sent into the attack, and one section commander, Alfred Ringsdorf, described it as follows: “This was a harder battle than any I had fought in Russia. It was constant, close range, hand-to-hand fighting. The English (British) were everywhere. The streets for the most part were narrow, sometimes not more than 15 feet wide, and we fired at each other from only yards away. We fought to gain inches, cleaning out one room after the other. It was absolute hell!”
The Nazi SS were the most fanatical of Hitler's troops. My dad was a paratrooper with the 101st in Bastogne and used his BAR to drop more than fifty of them. After the war, he kept an SS officer's silver skull ring on his bedroom dresser. When I was a boy I once asked him where he got it. His answer was simple and direct. "From someone who didn't need it anymore".
I seriously doubt there will ever be a better remake of this wonderful film. "A Bridge Too Far" is one of the very best war films ever put on the screen and a worthy tribute to the men who participated in this brave though ill fated WWII Allied tour de force.
JSB103 This soundtrack alone is an amazing tribute! I think it really encapsulates, through deep feeling, the honorable sacrifices, courage and character of those souls who were forced to fight and eventually defeat Nazi Germany.
***** Technically, why not. Point is the ZEITGEIST. A BRIDGE TO FAR had been done as a follow up to movies like THE LONGEST DAY and MIDWAY but younger people aren´t just interested anymore in this kind of WW II movies - to overly patriotic and not critical enough.
I briefly knew a chap who was sergent who flew in on the gliders , he died about 15 years ago. In his last few years he started a group of Radio control enghusiasts who towed models up for e re-enactment of the raid as a memorial to the men many who died on landing in the gliders when landed. Tough men indeed. We owe them . We should not glorify war but have to stand up to the bullies and put them down as in WW2.
"You know I've selected you to lead us, not only because of your extraordinary fighting ability, but also because, in the unlikely event that the Germans ever get you, they will assume from your attire that they've captured a wretched peasant and immediately send you on your way."
Michael - not stupid. I joined the South African Army after reading 'Beautiful Geste'. (Running away to join the French Foreign Legion was not a practical option)
Major General Stanisław Sosabowski, never forgiven by the British Establishment for being outspoken during and after the war. He used to work at CAV Acton London England as a factory worker ie Charles Anthony Vandervell large group of factory buildings. You heard of him, via other workers but nobody really talked about his achievements of WW2, and I for one didnt not believe that a general was working as a factory hand. It was only after seeing the film on its release , that this true hero of the Poles and fellow fighters came to light.
Yes and No. His intransigence and condemnation of MGen Thomas was more a product of the seasons politics than his efforts in the current operation. I don't believe he was scapegoated, he was part of an assassination of an entire country. None of them would have spoken openly about it, but it must have been obvious at the Vallburg conference, the Polish Nation was about to be sold up river to the Soviets. Sosabowski and Browning got on very well right up to mid'44, when Polish Airborne's purpose of supporting Allied operations until they could be flown into Warsaw was a working plan. Following the Tehran Conference Senior Allied leaders knew where the zones of influence were going to be drawn and the Poles had once again fallen foul of International politics and European geography. Having Free Polish Troops flying into Warsaw on the backs of Allied air forces, to liberate Warsaw before the Soviets got there was never going to happen. Not unless you wanted a war with Stalin. The message took some time to filter down to field level, but the row between Browning and Sosabowski began in Tehran in 1943 and was finally answered at Yalta in Feb'45.
I believe that Sosabowski has now been publically recognised and that the UK government has honoured and appologised (posthumously) to Poland and the decendents of the valiant General. . But *David Rendall* here is entirely correct in his assertion that it was a wider political perspective at the time. The same attitude of the British Air Ministry prevaled towards the pilots of 303 (Polish)Sqn RAF, during the Battle of Britain.
May i Recommend the Generals book " Freely i served " A truly professional and forthright soldier ...It is to the eternal shame of generals Browning ,Thomson,Montgomery and a few others who chose to blame him and his valiant Polish Paras for their own failures re Arnhem ......
I was 13 years old and watched this film in a freezing cold fleapit. My mates left at the finnish and I stayed and watched it all over again. Love the film and love the music. Thanks for sharing.
Snap, me too, I went to the early showing and stayed all day got home about 11 . My mother was worried and furious, grounded me for a few weeks , it was worth it though. Happy days.
I've read the book A Bridge Too Far several times, watched the film i don't know how many times and have the music on my iPod. I always felt a strange affinity to the story, it was only years after the film came out i found out i had two great uncles in XXX Corps. Both Norman Rose and John Rose served with the 6th Battalion Green Howard's 69th Infantry Brigade 50th Tyne Tees Divison XXX Corps. They both got as far as Nijmegen. Norman died of wounds on 15.11.44 defending the bridgehead and John Survived the war and died in 1983. Norman is buried in Jonkerbos commonwealth war graves cemetery.
This affinity to Operation Market Garden is something that I feel as well. Maybe because it's an ageless epic of the humankind, maybe because my father is a paratrooper and I grew up around their culture, maybe because I'm a military pilot myself, maybe because, as I wast told about a decade ago, I have a bit of Dutch blood. Or I just became fascinated with the movie and the book, which I read twice. I had the opportunity to visit Oosterbeek and Arnhem, where I visited the Airborne Museum and the famous (rebuilt) John Foster Bridge. It was a great experience. You do have reason to be proud of your great uncles.
I don't know i feel the same. Though, i am from india and my grandfather served in ww2 in ordnance, therefore non combat mostlt in Mesopotamia and Burma
Me too! My great uncle was there fighting, American airborne. John Dykstra from Wisconsin. My grandfather Norman DeYoung, U.S navy, was fighting the Japanese
My father, who was a member of the 82nd ABN remembered jumping at about 800 feet to take the Grave bridge. He recalled that the Germans were so startled that they took off. Burt they regrouped at Nimegan. My father saw Julian Cook's battalion cross the Maas-Waal and was very thankful he was not part of it. "Those guys caught hell". However, his unit made the attack on the bridge.
The cast of the film is incredible - James Caan, Dirk Bogarde, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Eliott Gould, Hardy Kruger, Maximilian Schell, Michael Caine, Edward Fox, Sean Connery, Ryan O'Niell... and I'm sure I left out a few...
Off the top of my head, naturally - James (?) Maxwell, Liv Ullman, John Ratzenberger "Go, go, go" (Cheers!), Michael Byrne (?), Gerald Sim (Fuller's counsellor), Erik something (Dutch boy),
Simon, I wonder if this is one of the reasons movies today aren't as great as they used to be - you have one 'star' who gets millions for making the movie and a whole lot of people nobody's ever heard of. Now take a movie like 'Murder on The Orient Express' or 'Where Eagles Dare.' Packed with truly great actors - none of this modern 'movie star' shit.
Denholm Elliot as the meteorological officer going on about fog, John Salthouse who later appeared as a cop in American Werewolf in London and went onto be the first Detective Inspector in The Bill playing "Ginger" who gets killed by a sniper for trying to retrieve desperately needed supplies only for it to be revealed they were useless berets. Michael Byrne later Vogel from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade fame playing Michael Caine's character's brother in the tank regiment. Alun Armstrong a veteran of countless films and television (Most notably Old Tricks these days) including playing a young lad helping Caine in Get Carter as one of the soldier's who end up getting killed. The list really does go on...
I worked at first on the military vehicles and then on Tanks on this film and in July 76 I was (by some fluke) the "4th assistant Director on location" or best known as production runner, tea maker, dogsbody, stills photo's collator, and call sheet delivery guy at the production office in Deventer, I did not see much of Richard Attenborough as he was out Directing, I was 16 and and now in 2020, 59, I met Joe Levine, and many stars including Laurence Olivier, who wanted his script as no one could find it so I gave him the whole script, the size of the old phone books, he gave me "a look" LOL, well it all seems a dream now, I have met many veterans over the years, and they say it was not a failure, but you have to understand it from their point of view. I now have a big part of my "man cave" dedicated to these superb men. I remember John Addison who I believe was actually in 30 corps Tanks and what a fantastic and suitable piece of music to the the film, brilliant.
Hi guys, I'm ex Para Reg did quite s few of the memorial drops on Ginkel. Great when all the Dutch kids dress up like Paras and watch us drop in. We are just playing at it compared to the old blokes who did it for real. Well done fellas! Never forgotten. Airborne brotherhood, once in, never out.
On being told his men are to lead the attack, Joe Vandeleur (quietly), "Oh Christ, not us again!" Then, to Horrocks, "Delighted, sir, truly delighted."
I thought of this song and the movie when playing in a D-Day veteran C-47 that sat in the weeds at Memphis airport when I was a kid during the 1970's. Also located there in a quiet corner was a P-40N, P-51D, P-47D, PBY, and two B-17s. One was the orignal Memphis Belle B-17F and the other was Tallichet's B-17G that later became "the Movie Belle." We played in them all while wearing old flying helmets and fight gear. It was the greatest time of my life and I will never forget those "missions" we "flew".
Hi Jack, (sorry about the pun) can you tell us what happened to the original Memphis Belle, I though as many did it was the original in the movie, that's such a great story though, cheers Nick
This soundtrack really catches the integrity, heroism, struggle, sorrow and sacrifice that the allied soldiers of Operation Market Garden, and all noble soldiers encountered during that war. I guess that's why it's said they're America's "greatest" generation! An era and character that sadly, might be soon entirely forgotten.
***** From what I've read of Brian Horrocks (XXX Corps commander, doing the briefing) Edward Fox did a good job of capturing his personality. I don't know if he actually said that, but it sounds like something he might have said. One of the more appealing British generals of the war.
AdmiralBlake I always think that when I drive the route from Eindhoven to Arnhem which now is an easy 60 minute drive,you would never believe it ever happened in such a peaceful place,but happen it did.
+Matt Baxendale Don't you just love those amazing shots? Nobody will ever be able to top the sequence where Paul Grabner attacks the bridge in Arnhem, nor the ambush of Colonel Vandeluer's Irish Guards as they crossed the Dutch-Belgian border. Simply awe some.
Matt, I saw 'Murder on The Orient Express' many years ago. And it was AMAZING. Then, they recently released a remake. I haven't seen it but from what I've read, even with today's improved cinematic technology it was a balls-up. Funny how an old movie can have a charm and intimacy and immediacy, a feeling of involvement and reality that so many modern movies just don't have. Did you see the movie 'Where Eagles Dare'? Do you remember the bit where that young radio operator is playing music through the radio - a lovely haunting foxtrot. And didn't you feel you knew what he was thinking and feeling and how homesick he may have been?Then Clint Eastwood kills him. In a movie of today they probably couldn't create that feeling, that sensation of being right there in the radio room. I feel that all that would come across would be a brutal, cold - blooded murder. (Well, it WAS a brutal, cold - blooded murder but let's not go there.. Best of everything for 2019)
@@theexile6605 so was the man the character was modeled after. Col. Sink. He didn’t want his name used in the film. Col. in command of Band of Brothers
"They've got a bed upstairs for you if you want it..." "I took 10,000 men into Arnheim, I've come out with less than 2, I don't feel much like sleeping."
Sue Bolton, My Grandad was In the Staffordshire Regt, having fought in Scilly and Op HUSKY. Which by all accounts was deemed a failure by the Airborne and the lads that attempted to insert in gliders after they lost hundreds of men in the Med. He was re-tasked to Op MARKET GARDEN and the assault on Arnhem. My grandad, Cpl H.Painting was one of those standing watch over casualties outside the governors house at the end of the film 'A Bridge too far' subsequently taken prisoner and moved to a Stalag somewhere in Germany. He survived, dying in the 80's. Now a soldier myself of 19 years.
Well said, by my count the greatest cast of all time -- just look at the British actors alone!! Olivier, Connery, Caine, Hopkins, Dirk Bogarde, Edward Fox, Denholm Elliott, as well as notable actors like Michael Byrne (who was also in 70's war movies The Eagle Has Landed and Force 10 from Navarone) and Jeremy Kemp (Trek fans may remember him as Picard's brother). Plus American legends Hackman, Redford, James Caan, Ryan O'Neal, Elliott Gould, and Germans Maximilian Schell and Hardy Kruger. And even Cliff from Cheers (John Ratzenberger)! He takes a mg round right in the forehead crossing at Nijmegen. Ouch. Finally Liv Ullman, who was a big deal in the 70's too...
+dwwookies Right on, I also noted more recently that the X-Men movie "Days of Future Past" had a loaded cast (though it was ok, it was another attempt to cash in on the series, so I call it "X-Men: Days of Paychecks Present"). Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, M Fassbender, P Dinklage, H Berry, J Lawrence, J McAvoy, etc. -- something like 12 actors or so of note. But not enough to match A Bridge Too Far!!
+john vorhees Quite right, thank you for reminding us -- he played von Rundstedt (generally considered the second best strategic mind in the Wehrmacht) impeccably.
Fun fact about von Rundstedt btw: Later in his career he liked to surreptitiously read mystery novels behind his desk, which his staff officers commented on from time to time -- though it didn't seem to adversely affect his performance...
I just saw my grandfather in a film about the SAS/SBS of WWII. He was one of the founding members of Britain’s Special Forces during the war in North Africa. He went on to attack airfields in Sicily, Crete and wreaked havoc in North Africa. He won the Military Cross and Bar (means he one it twice). He was mentioned in Dispatches three times. He was a remarkable gentleman. I was so thrilled to see his face in that documentary. SAS: Rogue Warriors.
Whenever i watch this movie and listen to the theme conducted by John Addison, i would say that He is a musical genius and his orchestration by far the best that i have ever listen to.
There are a few war movies who's themes get an emotional response from me, The Longest Day, The Bridge at Remagen, but this one always brings a tear to my eye. It really hits you in the soul, starting off slow and almost melancholy, than speeding up to an almost joyful pace before dropping back and slowing down again. I first heard of this battle when in school, my dad was a huge war movie buff and this was one of our favourites. As I grew up I became even more enthusiastic about the history and sacrifice of the war. This battle epitomises so much. The hopes of victory, the sudden clamorous successes, the dreadful, nail-biting defeats, the death defying heroics on both sides and finally the sacrifices of the Allies and the Germans. Whenever I hear this theme I remember those brave men who gave the ultimate sacrifice to gain victory over the Nazi, but also the brave German soldier who was simply trying to protect his country and didn't care about politics. He was fighting for his family back home and his friends next to him.
Brane german soldiers...what are you Talking about. You are wrong. They were desperate otherwise they could be stood against The Wall and shot. Please dont colorize The brutal history.
Such a great movie. Can watch this movie over and over and over. Never would or could get tired of it. And a big part of that reason is the musical score. Makes me wish I was there with them trying to capture the bridge.
And the real actors of market garden, will be honored at the Gelredome in Arnhem, each year and up to the present day, we still thank the heroes gave their lives for our freedom.
Yes....Gene had a great Polish accent. My favorite line of his is during the briefing when he stands very close to the briefing officer who turns and asks, "May I help you?" "I was just lucking to zee who side you are on!"
I need to see it again. will have to check our library -- they have a good collection of films -- I am behind -- I don't think I've seen any of the academy nominees in the past two years. I used to go at least once a week and rent something one or two nights a week. Maybe when I retired, I'll catch up.
Agreed. I was 19 and saw it on a Cinerama screen and loved the "this is how it was" opening and was floored by the determination and courage even as they figured out they were doomed in a huge bungled mistake. Awesome. If we could be even half that....
Simon, yes very much so but the real sadness is hidden , it was a rush to get there, the British public did not know what was going on, sadly the SS were rounding up all the young men in Holland, enough said, we had to get there asap.. it did not go all the way but saved many lives...
Simon, there's another movie that makes me feel the same way. Remember that scene in 'Where Eagles Dare', where the young radio operator tuned in to the radio station and the music that was playing was The Foxtrot. Such a lyrically lovely piece of music in that grim, war-ridden castle. And that young man - he was homesick, missing his parents, his friends, his girlfriend/wife. And Clint Eastwood comes up behind him and kills him. So sad. I know I'm reading stuff that maybe wasn't there but that's how it made me feel.
Without doubt THE greatest ever cast list to any film ever made. I can't think any film will ever get close to the amount of great actors in this film.
Oh, what a glorious time it was for cinema aficionados, when the movies had amazing actors, epic soundtracks and great scripts and dialogues. Thanks for the upload!
It is no longer possible to assemble anything like the cast that they had in that movie. The talent today just does not exist. An actual movie star is now even more rare than a C-47. Right now, Tom Cruise is all that we have left, and he would not have stood out in this movie.
This piece of music is one of the best I have ever heard. Though it will never be enough this piece will be a great tribute to all the brave soldiers and civilians that died during operation Market Garden.
The score does capture the doomed heroism and the shifting circumstances of the Allied forces in the film. It's very appropriate music and it does get across the human side of what happened. I'm sure director Richard Attenborough appreciated having that music in his film.
Wow, my respects to those men who are still alive, heroes. Those of us who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan will also one day be remembered with the recognition it deserves. Semper fidelis 💪💪
It shows the toughness and fighting quality of the British Paras at Arnhem that the dreaded SS, a equally tough elite group came away saying after that the Red Devils were the hardest men theyd ever fought!
Audrie Hepburn had been offered to play a citizen of Arnheim but she refused. Theoretical she had been perfect for the role having lived in Arnheim in those days herself. But the role had been to traumatic to her. 2.16. 2016: to JSB103 and dkwookies: Agreed; THIS MASTERPIECE would be extremly hard to be topped. Either it became to dark and italo-western like sadistic or to soft and melodramatic.
A brilliant film.I cannot, and do not want to get the main title out of my head. Makes me wonder what it would have been like had the plan been wholly succesfull!
this was made in my hometown : deventer i was 9 years at the time , and we went to see the scene's , they also ride threw my street with a leopard tank...i saw a scene with the great sean connery .....and now u know wat a big actors was in that movie....Never Forgotten
One of the few movies to be faithful to the book and the book faithful to the events it describes. Superb soundtrack to add luster to the brave men of 1st British airborne and the American 101 and 82nd airborne divisions.
Don't forget the Polish Independent Parachute Brigade which was the first allied airborne unit to be organized in 1941 by General Stanislaw Sosabowski. Their training in the "Monkey Grove" devised by him in Scotland became the training benchmark for all other Allied airborne units, including the SOE. N.B. The Polish Brigade was supposed to have been dropped into Poland in August 1944 to support the insurgents of the Warsaw Uprising, but they were held back for Market-Garden which began on the infamous date of 17 September - the 5th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland.
Excellent point! Not forgotten also was the shabby treatment afforded to General Sasabowski both before and after the failed campaign. Given the less than stellar performance by the British army in nearly every prior campaign Sasabowki's concerns were more than justified. I feel confident in asserting that if Patton had commanded 30 Corps instead of Horrocks the British First Airborne would have been rescued in 3-4 days although it may have cost some of the British commanders their commands.
+Thomas Campbell Despite his foresight, Major General Sosabowski was sacked from his command by the British, even though, until May 1944, the Polish Brigade was directly subordinate to the Polish Government-in-exile in London. Also, despite the Brigade's heroism at Driel & Arnhem, they were for 62 years denied the Royal Dutch Order of William, so as not to OFFEND the British. In 2006, that was remedied by Dutch Queen Wilhelmina in 2006. Now, the successors of the Brigade - the Polish Red Berets - are one of only two foreign units awarded Holland's highest decoration....
God Bless the Polish Brigade!! They drew a virtually impossible assignment. However +Thomas Campbell I can't be nearly as confident that even Patton could have gotten there in 3-4 days, though I agree that he was a better offensive general than Monty. He may have gotten there faster, but given the single road problem, difficult terrain (especially after Nijmegen) and stubborn German resistance getting there in time to save the Brits was a hell of a task. Monty's plan was really based on a beaten foe, which the Germans were not by mid-September -- Rundstedt was revitalizing the German Western Front following the horrendous casualties of the summer.
My father in law's best friend was in the Bridge Too Far. It was an absolute disaster. My father in law was in the Coast Guard piloting barges into Occupied France. Through mines galore. They both never spoke unless I had them very well lubricated with Hennessy.
My young daughter (at the time) didn't understand the film too much but she loved the music. I am a fan of your 'suites' edits, thank you for another one ;)
Hi im a kid form spain but im from englalnd, my dad showd me this movie and i loved its my favorite @t dad went to the farklands and he told me that he wanted to be part of operation market garden and fight four england and me aswell i love england and the soldiers of world war 2 are all heroes. god save the queen
Of all the actors in this Film, Dirk Bogarde was the only one who served in WW2. He was a British officer, and talks about his experiences in his autobiography
I love this music!! My dad was on the other side of Germany with the 9th Infantry Division. I hope to get the music director of our Community Band to play this. I may even have to buy the arrangement myself. It will be money well spent. In memory of all WWll vets who fought in Europe.
I fall silent whenever I hear this music. I remember Dad, who was only 18 freakin' years old when he baled out of a C-47 over Normandy on D-Day. He was with the 506th of the 101st Airborne Division. They took Carentan that day and then fought their way across France, in Market Garden, and at Bastogne during the Bulge where he and his buddies held off Hitler's best SS Panzer troops over Christmas, 1944. You'd think they'd get a break then, but no. After the siege was broken, the 506th was ordered to get up and go after the Germans who were just attacking them. They fought their way into Germany where they came upon, and liberated Kaufering 4, a sub-camp of the Dachau concentration complex, and rescued many Jewish prisoners. I'm still left wondering, how do you all this when you are still a teenager; just a teenager slinging a BAR over your shoulder?
One small but surprising fact is that two future members of Margaret Thatchers Conservative Cabinet were not only British Army officers during WW2 but played a part in Market Garden. One of them was William Whitelaw, the other was Lord Carrington. In their younger day both of these very well mannered and nicely spoken gentlemen were as hard as nails!
Right on, I only wish they were able to use a real Tiger tank at Arnhem bridge, instead they resorted to what looks like a Leopard I to me. Also what was up with those British close support aircraft they used to hit the German AT positions? I would hope to see Typhoons or something in that vein. The planes they used looked like civilian trainers to me. Anyone know what they were?
Thx for the info buddy -- the only thing I have to add is that there must have been Tigers at Arnhem because it is documented that because Hitler and the High Command made the Arnhem theatre the highest priority for reinforcements, 60 Tigers were committed to stopping Market-Garden straight off the production line. That's a lot btw!!
The orchestration of the sound track is very impressive. A very historic and must watch movie with major participation of famous actors from USA and LONDON combined. A salute to the people who directed and produced this one of a kind movie.
This movie, along with "The Longest Day" and "Patton" were the films that sparked my interest in WWII way back in the 1970s when I was a kid, I'm still a big WWII buff to this day.
>Decide to make an “anti war” film >Creates one of the greatest musical and cinematic masterpieces in history, with barely any actual gore or disconcerting violence >gets mad when it inspires people to join the armed forces
Buying Close Combat 2 in 1997 brought me here. Because of that awesome game, I stumbled upon this movie as an early teen, it's one of the reason I prefer "older" movies. What an amazing movie. It's a bit strange watching it these days and seeing how UnHollywooded up the movie is. Some gore, but not shock jock. I can't understand how this movie isn't one of the top 5 war films of all time down to the amount of effort they took to shoot it accurately. The crazy bastards got C-47s and dropped real people in the same damn sky because it has to be right......That is dedication!
and starred in many other good films apart from Jurassic Park, The Great Escape, The League of Gentlemen and The Sand Pebbles also with Steve McQueen to name but a few.
Apparently, Attenborough intended this to be an anti-war movie. Instead, it stirred the loins as audiences were in awe of the immense courage and sacrifice of their soldier fathers.
My dad was one of the survivors of Arnhem, I remember going to see this film with him when it came out. He said it was a good film but not tough enough. Loved the soundtrack though. Played it at his funeral. So proud of him
My father was with the 82nd ABN at Nijmegan that assaulted the bridge there. He told me he always had the greatest respect for the British soldier and moreso if they were airborne. All airborne are a unique 'Band of Brothers"
i live in the netherlands next to arnhem and i have great respect for the people who fought there for our freedom.
john dates My dad would have agreed with you. He said that he had the utmost respect for all the Airborne troops. He also said that it extended to the German Paras too
I've posted a wee comment
Sue Bolton my grandfather was in the german side lol
I don't know about others, but this song actually helps me to go through my mild depression. I mean, its optimistic tone in the face of disaster sort of helps me to move forward.
The combination of hope and foreboding.
Yes it's a kind of an understatement to what was a tragic defeat. 'Oh well we just have to get on with things'
Good Luck to You. 👍
Oh yes I fully understand that
"Gentlemen! This is a story that you will tell your grandchildren, and mightily bored they'll be." Sir Brian Horrocks
--1944
Commodore Sven Reddy o .
"the germans, well there the bad guys, and we my friends are the calvary"
👏👏👏
Remind's me the scene when Edward Fox said that during the explanation of the operation market garden .
I love that scene I saw it a thousand times .
Oh there has never been such a true Statement.
My late Dad told me, as he bounced me on His knee, 'Nobody will be interested in what we did in "The War'.
Now look....Europe wants to bite off our nuts, just like the old lion, inspired by uneducated, unappreciative, ignorant and ungrateful Children who think they know it all.
Freedom comes at a price.
You'd better believe it.
The XXX Corps unto the rescue, Gen Horocks.😎😎😎.
What's really ironic (and cool) is that John Addison actually participated in Operation Market Garden
+Adam Kraabel Mate you are a Gem, I didn't know that so just looked it up, great reading. Thank you for sharing.
+TrOLLKiLLeRs1 Thanks for that. I had no idea.
+Martin Reddy 23 Hussars. XXX Corps.
That's not irony.
"the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect."
The above is the definition of irony.
Indeed. My father knew (or had met) many of the commanding officers involved in Market Garden. He was 54 when he died in 1982. As a young teenage girl, one of the last great 'adventures' I remember with him was when we drove down to Dorset to try to buy a [military vehicle] of some type from a guy who supplied many used in the film. He [the salesman] briefly appears in the film, driving Sean Connery in a Jeep. My father was obsessed with the idea that he could own something that would connect him to his childhood heroes. He never did buy that vehicle (whatever it was) but, to this day, I honour his -
and their - memory by visiting the Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek, whenever I pass through Arnhem.
The real Colonel Frost was invited to watch the Arnhem bridge attack scenes in which he was played by Anthony Hopkins. He smiled a lot, but at one point looked quite angry. After Attenborough shouted "Cut", Anthony Hopkins went over to the old officer and said, "Was something wrong ?" Colonel Frost replied, "The bit you just did when the Germans attack....well, you ran back to your men...." "Er, yes," said Hopkins. "Well, you see, "said Colonel Frost, "British officers never run away. It sets such a bad example to the men. We march smartly, but we never run !"
yes its true, obviously I don't remember the exact words, many of the crew including myself were there that day, summer 1976. He did however get shot back then.I was 16 years old and a bit frightened to ask, but the other members of the crew said "go on ask him he won't mind", so I asked Colonel Frost if it was really like the film so far, he said "yes pretty much but there was a lot of things different too, after all it was American money and things were added and changed"
During the This Is Your Life episode with General John Frost,Anthony Hopkins gave a beautiful tribute to the bravery and courage of Lt.Colonel Frost and his men.
Arnhem is in the Netherlands
Right you are chap
Brilliant!
One of the best soundtracks ever. Dedicated to the soldiers who were actually there. God Bless you.
My great uncle Dykstra was there , parachuted in . He was a sergeant U.S. It always amazes me, 6 brothers from small town Wisconsin all farmers and all came back!
My father was with the guards armoured division, sadly passed away last year, R.I.P Dad.
GOD BLESS YOU SIR 🇺🇸
I concur with you trooper semper Fi my brother in arms upper Michigan Marine vet
Semper Fi from upper Michigan Marine lotta folks down in the great state of Wisconsin Big Men and strong! Don't mess with yooperers lumberjacks and God forbid the farmers from Wisconsin
I'm dazzled by the airborne assault scene, what with the cargo planes, gliders, the paratroopers....all real! No CGI. One of my favorite WWII DVD's.
No cgi but a lot of camera tricks and optical effects.
I agree entirely with you: Pure original "Natural" material and acting ! But costly on the other hand I think.
@@kevinchun5242 still looks 1000x better than the CGI crap we get today. Compare this movie to stuff like Midway and its not even a competition
They say the movie bombed but In my opinion it is one of the best WW2 movies ever!!
4 years late but yes, that scene left an unerasable memory in my head.
75 years ago today Operation Market Garden was launched. Take a moment to remember the valor and sacrifice of all the participants.
@Hans The Meme That was a good line -- Bittrich was quite the gentleman in the movie, wasn't he?
@Hans The Meme But perhaps not quite so gentlemanly when fighting partisans on the Eastern Front, I would expect.
JOE..
@glareola Ha, excellent quote from Gen. Horrocks. Fair enough, though they certainly fought very well!
Members of the 10th SS Panzer Division’s 21st Panzergrenadier Regiment were sent into the attack, and one section commander, Alfred Ringsdorf, described it as follows: “This was a harder battle than any I had fought in Russia. It was constant, close range, hand-to-hand fighting. The English (British) were everywhere. The streets for the most part were narrow, sometimes not more than 15 feet wide, and we fired at each other from only yards away. We fought to gain inches, cleaning out one room after the other. It was absolute hell!”
GOOD...
@Big Chap with the 30 corp as the cavalry.
@Big Chap 6th airborne did a great job in Normandy and were Ists equal plus they had an infinitely better and more experienced airborne commander
The Nazi SS were the most fanatical of Hitler's troops. My dad was a paratrooper with the 101st in Bastogne and used his BAR to drop more than fifty of them. After the war, he kept an SS officer's silver skull ring on his bedroom dresser. When I was a boy I once asked him where he got it. His answer was simple and direct. "From someone who didn't need it anymore".
I seriously doubt there will ever be a better remake of this wonderful film. "A Bridge Too Far" is one of the very best war films ever put on the screen and a worthy tribute to the men who participated in this brave though ill fated WWII Allied tour de force.
JSB103 This soundtrack alone is an amazing tribute! I think it really encapsulates, through deep feeling, the honorable sacrifices, courage and character of those souls who were forced to fight and eventually defeat Nazi Germany.
xman4un Totally!
JSB103 I agree totally with you!
***** Technically, why not. Point is the ZEITGEIST. A BRIDGE TO FAR had been done as a follow up to movies like THE LONGEST DAY and MIDWAY but younger people aren´t just interested anymore in this kind of WW II movies - to overly patriotic and not critical enough.
+Roger Lynch You're correct! WWii might as well be the Civil War..with each year it falls into the annals of history as does its heroes...sadly...
The beginning of the Overture still gives me chills, just as it did in the theater all those years ago.
What about his "Reach for the Sky". To me the most evocative of music in the movies.
@@harryplummer6356 ill check it
"I'm sorry, we don't have the facilities to take you all prisoner!!"
Dennis Matzinger We're handing you over to the 82nd. They're good soldiers in the 82nd. Just keep an eye on your wallet.
That line was totally epic!
+dkwookies "Arnhem Auslich!" Literally "Destroy Arnhem."
"Was there anything else?"
He invented trolling
I briefly knew a chap who was sergent who flew in on the gliders , he died about 15 years ago. In his last few years he started a group of Radio control enghusiasts who towed models up for e re-enactment of the raid as a memorial to the men many who died on landing in the gliders when landed. Tough men indeed. We owe them . We should not glorify war but have to stand up to the bullies and put them down as in WW2.
"You know I've selected you to lead us, not only because of your extraordinary fighting ability, but also because, in the unlikely event that the Germans ever get you, they will assume from your attire that they've captured a wretched peasant and immediately send you on your way."
Maurice B'stard "Christ! Not us again!"
Charles Inglin What d'you say to that J.O.E.
Maurice B'stard Glad to see someone knows where we're going.
Oh, delighted sir, truly delighted.
Maurice B'stard START THE PURPLE!!!
I know it is stupid, but this movie is why I enlisted in the Airborne.
A lot of people did and it upset Richard Attenborough since he wanted this to be an anti-war movie. Oops!
Michael - not stupid. I joined the South African Army after reading 'Beautiful Geste'. (Running away to join the French Foreign Legion was not a practical option)
not stupid at all. Well done!
Thank you for your service.
Not stupid at all.....I went into the Navy because Captain Kirk met all the Green Women!
Major General Stanisław Sosabowski, never forgiven by the British Establishment for being outspoken during and after the war. He used to work at CAV Acton London England as a factory worker ie Charles Anthony Vandervell large group of factory buildings. You heard of him, via other workers but nobody really talked about his achievements of WW2, and I for one didnt not believe that a general was working as a factory hand. It was only after seeing the film on its release , that this true hero of the Poles and fellow fighters came to light.
Yes and No. His intransigence and condemnation of MGen Thomas was more a product of the seasons politics than his efforts in the current operation. I don't believe he was scapegoated, he was part of an assassination of an entire country. None of them would have spoken openly about it, but it must have been obvious at the Vallburg conference, the Polish Nation was about to be sold up river to the Soviets.
Sosabowski and Browning got on very well right up to mid'44, when Polish Airborne's purpose of supporting Allied operations until they could be flown into Warsaw was a working plan. Following the Tehran Conference Senior Allied leaders knew where the zones of influence were going to be drawn and the Poles had once again fallen foul of International politics and European geography. Having Free Polish Troops flying into Warsaw on the backs of Allied air forces, to liberate Warsaw before the Soviets got there was never going to happen. Not unless you wanted a war with Stalin.
The message took some time to filter down to field level, but the row between Browning and Sosabowski began in Tehran in 1943 and was finally answered at Yalta in Feb'45.
Well, I worked on this film, but I did not have any idea of this, He was hero for sure....
That's some way to treat this man. same on them all. (they are still at work though)
I believe that Sosabowski has now been publically recognised and that the UK government has honoured and appologised (posthumously) to Poland and the decendents of the valiant General.
.
But *David Rendall* here is entirely correct in his assertion that it was a wider political perspective at the time. The same attitude of the British Air Ministry prevaled towards the pilots of 303 (Polish)Sqn RAF, during the Battle of Britain.
May i Recommend the Generals book
" Freely i served " A truly professional and forthright soldier ...It is to the eternal shame of generals Browning ,Thomson,Montgomery and a few others who chose to blame him and his valiant Polish Paras for their own failures re Arnhem ......
I was 13 years old and watched this film in a freezing cold fleapit. My mates left at the finnish and I stayed and watched it all over again. Love the film and love the music. Thanks for sharing.
Snap, me too, I went to the early showing and stayed all day got home about 11 . My mother was worried and furious, grounded me for a few weeks , it was worth it though. Happy days.
I've read the book A Bridge Too Far several times, watched the film i don't know how many times and have the music on my iPod. I always felt a strange affinity to the story, it was only years after the film came out i found out i had two great uncles in XXX Corps. Both Norman Rose and John Rose served with the 6th Battalion Green Howard's 69th Infantry Brigade 50th Tyne Tees Divison XXX Corps. They both got as far as Nijmegen. Norman died of wounds on 15.11.44 defending the bridgehead and John Survived the war and died in 1983. Norman is buried in Jonkerbos commonwealth war graves cemetery.
My paternal grandfather was also there serving as a Royal Artillery (55th Field Regiment) forward observer with various guards regiments.
This affinity to Operation Market Garden is something that I feel as well. Maybe because it's an ageless epic of the humankind, maybe because my father is a paratrooper and I grew up around their culture, maybe because I'm a military pilot myself, maybe because, as I wast told about a decade ago, I have a bit of Dutch blood. Or I just became fascinated with the movie and the book, which I read twice. I had the opportunity to visit Oosterbeek and Arnhem, where I visited the Airborne Museum and the famous (rebuilt) John Foster Bridge. It was a great experience. You do have reason to be proud of your great uncles.
Graham, where is Jonkerbos? It sounds South African. And who wrote the book?
I don't know i feel the same. Though, i am from india and my grandfather served in ww2 in ordnance, therefore non combat mostlt in Mesopotamia and Burma
Me too! My great uncle was there fighting, American airborne. John Dykstra from Wisconsin. My grandfather Norman DeYoung, U.S navy, was fighting the Japanese
My father, who was a member of the 82nd ABN remembered jumping at about 800 feet to take the Grave bridge. He recalled that the Germans were so startled that they took off. Burt they regrouped at Nimegan. My father saw Julian Cook's battalion cross the Maas-Waal and was very thankful he was not part of it. "Those guys caught hell". However, his unit made the attack on the bridge.
ATW
My great uncle was there also. Sargent Dykstra 82nd ABN he spoke Dutch which came in handy. Mark in Milwaukee
Thanks to youre dad for liberating my country! 🙏
My dad fought with the 101st/506 PIR at Market Garden. When I was 8-years-old, he made me and my brothers promise to never join the army.
The cast of the film is incredible - James Caan, Dirk Bogarde, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Eliott Gould, Hardy Kruger, Maximilian Schell, Michael Caine, Edward Fox, Sean Connery, Ryan O'Niell... and I'm sure I left out a few...
Off the top of my head, naturally - James (?) Maxwell, Liv Ullman, John Ratzenberger "Go, go, go" (Cheers!), Michael Byrne (?), Gerald Sim (Fuller's counsellor), Erik something (Dutch boy),
Simon, I wonder if this is one of the reasons movies today aren't as great as they used to be - you have one 'star' who gets millions for making the movie and a whole lot of people nobody's ever heard of. Now take a movie like 'Murder on The Orient Express' or 'Where Eagles Dare.' Packed with truly great actors - none of this modern 'movie star' shit.
Denholm Elliot as the meteorological officer going on about fog, John Salthouse who later appeared as a cop in American Werewolf in London and went onto be the first Detective Inspector in The Bill playing "Ginger" who gets killed by a sniper for trying to retrieve desperately needed supplies only for it to be revealed they were useless berets. Michael Byrne later Vogel from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade fame playing Michael Caine's character's brother in the tank regiment. Alun Armstrong a veteran of countless films and television (Most notably Old Tricks these days) including playing a young lad helping Caine in Get Carter as one of the soldier's who end up getting killed. The list really does go on...
Yes.even the smaller roles were played by massive hollywood stars.
In the opening credits it says Colin Farrell is in the cast, was he one of the kids?
I worked at first on the military vehicles and then on Tanks on this film and in July 76 I was (by some fluke) the "4th assistant Director on location" or best known as production runner, tea maker, dogsbody, stills photo's collator, and call sheet delivery guy at the production office in Deventer, I did not see much of Richard Attenborough as he was out Directing, I was 16 and and now in 2020, 59, I met Joe Levine, and many stars including Laurence Olivier, who wanted his script as no one could find it so I gave him the whole script, the size of the old phone books, he gave me "a look" LOL, well it all seems a dream now, I have met many veterans over the years, and they say it was not a failure, but you have to understand it from their point of view. I now have a big part of my "man cave" dedicated to these superb men.
I remember John Addison who I believe was actually in 30 corps Tanks and what a fantastic and suitable piece of music to the the film, brilliant.
What a great experience for you, to work on such an epic movie with so many famous people. Thanks for giving us so much interesting background.
An amazing history thank you for sharing
Hi guys, I'm ex Para Reg did quite s few of the memorial drops on Ginkel. Great when all the Dutch kids dress up like Paras and watch us drop in. We are just playing at it compared to the old blokes who did it for real. Well done fellas! Never forgotten. Airborne brotherhood, once in, never out.
I just got home from Netherlands. Went to arnhem and Oosterbeek memorials. Paid my respects ❤
When I listen to this it makes me so proud to be British and so proud of my family members who fought in WW2 so I could live free today. 🙏
"Do you think you can manage it, Joe?""I don't see why not. I've got nothing else planned for this afternoon."
What d'ue say to that J.O.E. Delighted Sir. truly delighted.
On being told his men are to lead the attack, Joe Vandeleur (quietly), "Oh Christ, not us again!" Then, to Horrocks, "Delighted, sir, truly delighted."
“Start The Purple”, “start the purple”.
I thought of this song and the movie when playing in a D-Day veteran C-47 that sat in the weeds at Memphis airport when I was a kid during the 1970's. Also located there in a quiet corner was a P-40N, P-51D, P-47D, PBY, and two B-17s. One was the orignal Memphis Belle B-17F and the other was Tallichet's B-17G that later became "the Movie Belle." We played in them all while wearing old flying helmets and fight gear. It was the greatest time of my life and I will never forget those "missions" we "flew".
Hi Jack, (sorry about the pun) can you tell us what happened to the original Memphis Belle, I though as many did it was the original in the movie, that's such a great story though, cheers Nick
This soundtrack really catches the integrity, heroism, struggle, sorrow and sacrifice that the allied soldiers of Operation Market Garden, and all noble soldiers encountered during that war. I guess that's why it's said they're America's "greatest" generation! An era and character that sadly, might be soon entirely forgotten.
This theme is amazing in that it sounds hopeful and happy, but at the same time has notes of sadness and dismay.
"This is a story you'll tell your grandchildren - and mightily bored they'll be!"
***** This is a quote from the movie, not his opinion. Regards, from Arnhem
AdmiralBlake Poignant that many soldiers hearing Horrocks' speech won't be having any grandchildren.
***** From what I've read of Brian Horrocks (XXX Corps commander, doing the briefing) Edward Fox did a good job of capturing his personality. I don't know if he actually said that, but it sounds like something he might have said. One of the more appealing British generals of the war.
Charles Inglin well Fox and Horrocks were golf partners and quite good friends
AdmiralBlake I always think that when I drive the route from Eindhoven to Arnhem which now is an easy 60 minute drive,you would never believe it ever happened in such a peaceful place,but happen it did.
RETREAT:
Soldier: 'I really think we're going to make it, Sir'
Connery: 'I thought everybody knew God was a Scotsman'
LOL
I would just like to say this film still makes me cry, I'm now fifty five ,I was eleven when I first saw this film.
Epic soundtrack for an epic film. a fitting tribute to the boys who did not get back home for Christmas.
chills
Classic. A wonderful soundtrack to a wonderful film, I hope it is NEVER remade!
+Matt Baxendale ....They wouldn't be able to do it justice without some weenie from CGI getting involved and creating a digital acuity mess out if it.
+Matt Baxendale Don't you just love those amazing shots? Nobody will ever be able to top the sequence where Paul Grabner attacks the bridge in Arnhem, nor the ambush of Colonel Vandeluer's Irish Guards as they crossed the Dutch-Belgian border. Simply awe some.
+Matt Baxendale I heard Hollywood plans to... starring Justin Timberlake and the lads from "One Direction!" Ha.
Matt, I saw 'Murder on The Orient Express' many years ago. And it was AMAZING. Then, they recently released a remake. I haven't seen it but from what I've read, even with today's improved cinematic technology it was a balls-up. Funny how an old movie can have a charm and intimacy and immediacy, a feeling of involvement and reality that so many modern movies just don't have. Did you see the movie 'Where Eagles Dare'? Do you remember the bit where that young radio operator is playing music through the radio - a lovely haunting foxtrot. And didn't you feel you knew what he was thinking and feeling and how homesick he may have been?Then Clint Eastwood kills him. In a movie of today they probably couldn't create that feeling, that sensation of being right there in the radio room. I feel that all that would come across would be a brutal, cold - blooded murder. (Well, it WAS a brutal, cold - blooded murder but let's not go there.. Best of everything for 2019)
"Hell of a day, huh? Look at them, wild!"
"Have you ever been liberated?
"I've been divorced twice, does that count?"
"Yes, that counts."
That only works if you’re chomping on a cigar like the epic Elliot Gould
@@PHDiaz-vv7yo Lol, yes he was memorable in the movie wasn't he.
@@theexile6605 so was the man the character was modeled after. Col. Sink. He didn’t want his name used in the film. Col. in command of Band of Brothers
@@jeffreyolive9951 Thx and Kudos to you for that, was that the character played by Dale Dye? Cheers.
"They've got a bed upstairs for you if you want it..."
"I took 10,000 men into Arnheim, I've come out with less than 2, I don't feel much like sleeping."
Well as you know I've always thought we'd try to go "A Bridge Too Far".
2000 not 2.... typo.
@@derricksims551 he implies 2000 but the actual film dialogue says 2
@@derricksims551 lol, why does everyone think he says 2000? He says 2 but implies 2000.
Sue Bolton,
My Grandad was In the Staffordshire Regt, having fought in Scilly and Op HUSKY. Which by all accounts was deemed a failure by the Airborne and the lads that attempted to insert in gliders after they lost hundreds of men in the Med. He was re-tasked to Op MARKET GARDEN and the assault on Arnhem. My grandad, Cpl H.Painting was one of those standing watch over casualties outside the governors house at the end of the film 'A Bridge too far' subsequently taken prisoner and moved to a Stalag somewhere in Germany. He survived, dying in the 80's. Now a soldier myself of 19 years.
Congrats on carrying on the tradition, you and all those youngsters that serve our great nation!
ATW
Some of the best actors of all time were in this movie, unreal.
Well said, by my count the greatest cast of all time -- just look at the British actors alone!! Olivier, Connery, Caine, Hopkins, Dirk Bogarde, Edward Fox, Denholm Elliott, as well as notable actors like Michael Byrne (who was also in 70's war movies The Eagle Has Landed and Force 10 from Navarone) and Jeremy Kemp (Trek fans may remember him as Picard's brother). Plus American legends Hackman, Redford, James Caan, Ryan O'Neal, Elliott Gould, and Germans Maximilian Schell and Hardy Kruger. And even Cliff from Cheers (John Ratzenberger)! He takes a mg round right in the forehead crossing at Nijmegen. Ouch. Finally Liv Ullman, who was a big deal in the 70's too...
+dwwookies Right on, I also noted more recently that the X-Men movie "Days of Future Past" had a loaded cast (though it was ok, it was another attempt to cash in on the series, so I call it "X-Men: Days of Paychecks Present"). Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, M Fassbender, P Dinklage, H Berry, J Lawrence, J McAvoy, etc. -- something like 12 actors or so of note. But not enough to match A Bridge Too Far!!
don't forget Wolfgang Preiss
+john vorhees Quite right, thank you for reminding us -- he played von Rundstedt (generally considered the second best strategic mind in the Wehrmacht) impeccably.
Fun fact about von Rundstedt btw: Later in his career he liked to surreptitiously read mystery novels behind his desk, which his staff officers commented on from time to time -- though it didn't seem to adversely affect his performance...
I just saw my grandfather in a film about the SAS/SBS of WWII. He was one of the founding members of Britain’s Special Forces during the war in North Africa. He went on to attack airfields in Sicily, Crete and wreaked havoc in North Africa. He won the Military Cross and Bar (means he one it twice). He was mentioned in Dispatches three times. He was a remarkable gentleman. I was so thrilled to see his face in that documentary. SAS: Rogue Warriors.
Whenever i watch this movie and listen to the theme conducted by John Addison, i would say that He is a musical genius and his orchestration by far the best that i have ever listen to.
There are a few war movies who's themes get an emotional response from me, The Longest Day, The Bridge at Remagen, but this one always brings a tear to my eye. It really hits you in the soul, starting off slow and almost melancholy, than speeding up to an almost joyful pace before dropping back and slowing down again. I first heard of this battle when in school, my dad was a huge war movie buff and this was one of our favourites. As I grew up I became even more enthusiastic about the history and sacrifice of the war. This battle epitomises so much. The hopes of victory, the sudden clamorous successes, the dreadful, nail-biting defeats, the death defying heroics on both sides and finally the sacrifices of the Allies and the Germans. Whenever I hear this theme I remember those brave men who gave the ultimate sacrifice to gain victory over the Nazi, but also the brave German soldier who was simply trying to protect his country and didn't care about politics. He was fighting for his family back home and his friends next to him.
Brane german soldiers...what are you Talking about. You are wrong. They were desperate otherwise they could be stood against The Wall and shot. Please dont colorize The brutal history.
@@peterhour7256 I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, seriously.
@@ukmediawarrior No surprise
Such a great movie. Can watch this movie over and over and over. Never would or could get tired of it. And a big part of that reason is the musical score. Makes me wish I was there with them trying to capture the bridge.
And the real actors of market garden, will be honored at the Gelredome in Arnhem, each year and up to the present day, we still thank the heroes gave their lives for our freedom.
One of the great soundtracks ever, and reading here I see where the composer was involved in Operation Market Garden. Wow.
Best soundtrack and movie!!!!!!
EVER
This bit here, is the WIDE part!!
Saw this movie in the theater in '76....was awed by the sacrifices made in a losing cause. Gene Hackman, all the actors...wonderful!
Hard to believe the film was so long ago. Wasn't Gene Hackman the Polish commander. Great movie.
Yes....Gene had a great Polish accent. My favorite line of his is during the briefing when he stands very close to the briefing officer who turns and asks, "May I help you?" "I was just lucking to zee who side you are on!"
I need to see it again. will have to check our library -- they have a good collection of films -- I am behind -- I don't think I've seen any of the academy nominees in the past two years. I used to go at least once a week and rent something one or two nights a week. Maybe when I retired, I'll catch up.
Agreed. I was 19 and saw it on a Cinerama screen and loved the "this is how it was" opening and was floored by the determination and courage even as they figured out they were doomed in a huge bungled mistake. Awesome. If we could be even half that....
+sillyone52062 I work with Poles, his accent wasn't Polish lol
A Bridge Too Far is a movie that captures the terrible sadness of War better than any other.
Simon, yes very much so but the real sadness is hidden , it was a rush to get there, the British public did not know what was going on, sadly the SS were rounding up all the young men in Holland, enough said, we had to get there asap.. it did not go all the way but saved many lives...
Simon, there's another movie that makes me feel the same way. Remember that scene in 'Where Eagles Dare', where the young radio operator tuned in to the radio station and the music that was playing was The Foxtrot. Such a lyrically lovely piece of music in that grim, war-ridden castle. And that young man - he was homesick, missing his parents, his friends, his girlfriend/wife. And Clint Eastwood comes up behind him and kills him. So sad. I know I'm reading stuff that maybe wasn't there but that's how it made me feel.
The Bridge at Remagen does too
A few years ago I worked with the grand or great grand daughter of General Sosabowski..My jaw fell cause I instantly recognized her last name!
Hi i believe The General has a Grandson who is a lecturer at a UK university in Southwest ....
The British owe the Poles for their efforts to keep England free and the British failing to return the favor.
Without doubt THE greatest ever cast list to any film ever made. I can't think any film will ever get close to the amount of great actors in this film.
Oh, what a glorious time it was for cinema aficionados, when the movies had amazing actors, epic soundtracks and great scripts and dialogues. Thanks for the upload!
It is no longer possible to assemble anything like the cast that they had in that movie. The talent today just does not exist. An actual movie star is now even more rare than a C-47. Right now, Tom Cruise is all that we have left, and he would not have stood out in this movie.
great movie , great soundtrack
Theme tune to one of my all time favourite war movies.
+Maurice B'stard does Empire of the sun get a look in or is that kid just too annoying for you?
All the more moving because the composer fought in Operation Market Garden!
This piece of music is one of the best I have ever heard. Though it will never be enough this piece will be a great tribute to all the brave soldiers and civilians that died during operation Market Garden.
The score does capture the doomed heroism and the shifting circumstances of the Allied forces in the film. It's very appropriate music and it does get across the human side of what happened. I'm sure director Richard Attenborough appreciated having that music in his film.
Wow, my respects to those men who are still alive, heroes. Those of us who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan will also one day be remembered with the recognition it deserves. Semper fidelis 💪💪
It shows the toughness and fighting quality of the British Paras at Arnhem that the dreaded SS, a equally tough elite group came away saying after that the Red Devils were the hardest men theyd ever fought!
The Paras had to be tough to fight against SS tanks.
The greatest war movie of all times! Absolute great!
Amazing masterpiece of an amazing film with an AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING CAST!!!!
This is my favourite piece ever, so fitting to the film and do emotive. This and Schindler’s list have beautiful soundtracks
Salute to the Glider Pilots Regiment!!!
Audrie Hepburn had been offered to play a citizen of Arnheim but she refused. Theoretical she had been perfect for the role having lived in Arnheim in those days herself. But the role had been to traumatic to her. 2.16. 2016: to JSB103 and dkwookies: Agreed; THIS MASTERPIECE would be extremly hard to be topped. Either it became to dark and italo-western like sadistic or to soft and melodramatic.
A brilliant film.I cannot, and do not want to get the main title out of my head. Makes me wonder what it would have been like had the plan been wholly succesfull!
It's been years since I watched this movie. I can still see the action that went with the score. Great movie, great scoring. Thanks for the upload.
best sound track ever
Awesome soundtrack, I can picture the scenes perfectly with the music
this was made in my hometown : deventer i was 9 years at the time , and we went to see the scene's , they also ride threw my street with a leopard tank...i saw a scene with the great sean connery .....and now u know wat a big actors was in that movie....Never Forgotten
Terrific film.
Favorite scene: the airborne drop showing the sky full of chutes. Imagine standing on the ground watching that coming at you.
For in life...
When you see
That Bridge Too Far
Consider it...
A River to be Crossed
And
Bash on Through!
The music wreaks of courage, duty and sacrifice. Amazing score.
One of the best war movie themes ever !
One of the few movies to be faithful to the book and the book faithful to the events it describes. Superb soundtrack to add luster to the brave men of 1st British airborne and the American 101 and 82nd airborne divisions.
Don't forget the Polish Independent Parachute Brigade which was the first allied airborne unit to be organized in 1941 by General Stanislaw Sosabowski. Their training in the "Monkey Grove" devised by him in Scotland became the training benchmark for all other Allied airborne units, including the SOE.
N.B. The Polish Brigade was supposed to have been dropped into Poland in August 1944 to support the insurgents of the Warsaw Uprising, but they were held back for Market-Garden which began on the infamous date of 17 September - the 5th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland.
Excellent point! Not forgotten also was the shabby treatment afforded to General Sasabowski both before and after the failed campaign. Given the less than stellar performance by the British army in nearly every prior campaign Sasabowki's concerns were more than justified. I feel confident in asserting that if Patton had commanded 30 Corps instead of Horrocks the British First Airborne would have been rescued in 3-4 days although it may have cost some of the British commanders their commands.
+Thomas Campbell Despite his foresight, Major General Sosabowski was sacked from his command by the British, even though, until May 1944, the Polish Brigade was directly subordinate to the Polish Government-in-exile in London. Also, despite the Brigade's heroism at Driel & Arnhem, they were for 62 years denied the Royal Dutch Order of William, so as not to OFFEND the British. In 2006, that was remedied by Dutch Queen Wilhelmina in 2006. Now, the successors of the Brigade - the Polish Red Berets - are one of only two foreign units awarded Holland's highest decoration....
God Bless the Polish Brigade!! They drew a virtually impossible assignment. However +Thomas Campbell I can't be nearly as confident that even Patton could have gotten there in 3-4 days, though I agree that he was a better offensive general than Monty. He may have gotten there faster, but given the single road problem, difficult terrain (especially after Nijmegen) and stubborn German resistance getting there in time to save the Brits was a hell of a task. Monty's plan was really based on a beaten foe, which the Germans were not by mid-September -- Rundstedt was revitalizing the German Western Front following the horrendous casualties of the summer.
Unfortunately it is known now that the book is not accurate in some respects
My father in law's best friend was in the Bridge Too Far. It was an absolute disaster. My father in law was in the Coast Guard piloting barges into Occupied France. Through mines galore. They both never spoke unless I had them very well lubricated with Hennessy.
My young daughter (at the time) didn't understand the film too much but she loved the music. I am a fan of your 'suites' edits, thank you for another one ;)
1st Airborne, 101st, 82nd and Polish free. Thank you. Bravest men to set foot on earth
A great film. I loved when I was a teen and now too. The soundtrack is perfect to this kind of film.
Sooner we go the better, we got them on the run!
Hi im a kid form spain but im from englalnd, my dad showd me this movie and i loved its my favorite @t dad went to the farklands and he told me that he wanted to be part of operation market garden and fight four england and me aswell i love england and the soldiers of world war 2 are all heroes.
god save the queen
Nice sentiments! God save Las Cabrasxd!
Of all the actors in this Film, Dirk Bogarde was the only one who served in WW2. He was a British officer, and talks about his experiences in his autobiography
Hardy Krüger served in the SS.
I love this music!! My dad was on the other side of Germany with the 9th Infantry Division. I hope to get the music director of our Community Band to play this. I may even have to buy the arrangement myself. It will be money well spent. In memory of all WWll vets who fought in Europe.
God bless your dad!!
I would just like to add I have great respect for those men who parachuted or came down in gliders god bless you and the Dutch population
I fall silent whenever I hear this music. I remember Dad, who was only 18 freakin' years old when he baled out of a C-47 over Normandy on D-Day. He was with the 506th of the 101st Airborne Division. They took Carentan that day and then fought their way across France, in Market Garden, and at Bastogne during the Bulge where he and his buddies held off Hitler's best SS Panzer troops over Christmas, 1944. You'd think they'd get a break then, but no. After the siege was broken, the 506th was ordered to get up and go after the Germans who were just attacking them. They fought their way into Germany where they came upon, and liberated Kaufering 4, a sub-camp of the Dachau concentration complex, and rescued many Jewish prisoners. I'm still left wondering, how do you all this when you are still a teenager; just a teenager slinging a BAR over your shoulder?
One small but surprising fact is that two future members of Margaret Thatchers Conservative Cabinet were not only British Army officers during WW2 but played a part in Market Garden. One of them was William Whitelaw, the other was Lord Carrington. In their younger day both of these very well mannered and nicely spoken gentlemen were as hard as nails!
It has tones of sadness mixed with great optimism.
i'm so addicted to this, i've watched the movie like 4 times already
Right on, I only wish they were able to use a real Tiger tank at Arnhem bridge, instead they resorted to what looks like a Leopard I to me. Also what was up with those British close support aircraft they used to hit the German AT positions? I would hope to see Typhoons or something in that vein. The planes they used looked like civilian trainers to me. Anyone know what they were?
Thx for the info buddy -- the only thing I have to add is that there must have been Tigers at Arnhem because it is documented that because Hitler and the High Command made the Arnhem theatre the highest priority for reinforcements, 60 Tigers were committed to stopping Market-Garden straight off the production line. That's a lot btw!!
Extraordinaria melodía de un gran filme del género bélico de siempre.
The orchestration of the sound track is very impressive. A very historic and must watch movie with major participation of famous actors from USA and LONDON combined. A salute to the people who directed and produced this one of a kind movie.
" When the first tank reaches the middle of the bridge, I will blow it sky high."
Jetzt!
This is my favourite movie soundtrack
This movie, along with "The Longest Day" and "Patton" were the films that sparked my interest in WWII way back in the 1970s when I was a kid, I'm still a big WWII buff to this day.
The great escape too!!! I'm 70s kid and these were starting to play on TV back then
I'm dutch. This os one of my favorite scores.
My great uncle was there John Dykstra U.S airborne. Soldier of orange has a great theme/music. Hi from Milwaukee b
Perhaps the BEST war movie score EVER!
Even more awesome is visiting the real places that are shown, loved it
>Decide to make an “anti war” film
>Creates one of the greatest musical and cinematic masterpieces in history, with barely any actual gore or disconcerting violence
>gets mad when it inspires people to join the armed forces
All my tough and difficult stages in life I tagged them as OPM (operation market Garden)
+Charles Peter ha,ha,ha !
The greatest war film ever made!!
Buying Close Combat 2 in 1997 brought me here. Because of that awesome game, I stumbled upon this movie as an early teen, it's one of the reason I prefer "older" movies.
What an amazing movie. It's a bit strange watching it these days and seeing how UnHollywooded up the movie is. Some gore, but not shock jock.
I can't understand how this movie isn't one of the top 5 war films of all time down to the amount of effort they took to shoot it accurately. The crazy bastards got C-47s and dropped real people in the same damn sky because it has to be right......That is dedication!
Operation Market Garden! Bridge too Far was such a great film with a great cast of actors!
Increíble película, banda sonora, y experiencia. Un puente lejano, demasiado lejano.
RIP Richard Attenborough (yeah you Jurassic Park nuts, he directed movies too)
He made movie Gandhi..maybe he had enough with war
and starred in many other good films apart from Jurassic Park, The Great Escape, The League of Gentlemen and The Sand Pebbles also with Steve McQueen to name but a few.
Apparently, Attenborough intended this to be an anti-war movie. Instead, it stirred the loins as audiences were in awe of the immense courage and sacrifice of their soldier fathers.
It stay in history as probably the most beautifull song for a movie ever, God Bless the amazing John Addison
Not a bloody 'song'. An instrumental work.
I have this as my ring tone, I just love it.
I used to have it as my ringtone - I no longer have that phone.
All 14 minutes?