My late father was in the US Army . He was sent to Korea in 1950 and was there for 18 months. He saw this movie in a packed theater. I remember him saying that when the movie was over there was absolute silence as people exited the theater. Very powerful movie. To those who served I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Bless you
My uncle was a business professional with a wife and young son and was called back to fight in Korea. He died at the Chosin Reservoir. This movie always makes me think of him.
Rick Roscoe My grand uncle flew Meteors in Korea with the RAAF. Was shot down by Migs and taken prisoner What they did to him gave him nightmares for the next 30 years.
Many men lost their lives in this forgotten War. What stands out today, after decades is, that women should of been subject to the same draft as men were. The Federal Court just gave a ruling on it. I myself was subject to the draft and felt very upset that they did not induct women, when they enjoyed the exact some rights as men.
This scene has stuck with me for years - saw this movie late one night when I was about 10, and the ending was just so full of sadness and despair. Mickey Rooney with just an incredibly natural acting style here, not to mention Holden who dies in both of his 'Bridge' movies. Thanks for posting.
Notice that when Brubaker suggests that they take off their yellow life vests, Rooney leans his rifle up against the ditch wall and almost imperceptibly checks the muzzle to make sure it is clear of any dirt/mud from going down the barrel. I guarantee that was not in the script! But, it makes the movie so much more realistic and is a tribute to Rooney's great acting, and gun knowledge!
You nailed it.... I saw this movie when I was a kid, too - probably on one of those TNT Memorial Day Weekend specials. This scene is haunting... what sacrifice! Excellent film!
William Holden's brother was a Navy fighter pilot killed in the South Pacifc during WW II. It was said that William Holden had so much influence over the studios that he literally changed the ending of this movie to what we see here. Some pilots who flew with his brother, Robert during WW II say Holden was portraying him in this film. It seems the ending was his way of telling the truth about warfare.Everyone expected him to get rescued and all three go home. It didn't work out that way.
The ending was too gritty for me to decipher as a kid. Only as I've aged do the themes come into focus. Frederic March's "Where do we get such men?" speech at the end is the film's nexus for me now.
Ironically, Holden had appeared in a "happy ending" war film just three years earlier with Force of Arms (his World War II Army soldier character falls in love with a WAC, marries her, and then miraculously survives some of the worst fighting of the Italian Campaign). However, that film also showed war's insanity and horrible emotional trauma. Holden's war epics were definitely grittier than most.
This was actually a misquote. General Bradley, then Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, was in fact testifying in Congress against McArthur's proposed invasion of China from Korea when he said such a war (the invasion of China) would be a wrong war at the wrong time and wrong time against the wrong enemy. He was NOT talking about the Korean War.
@@willofnj1732 , perhaps so, but the screenwriter no doubt found Bradley's original comment to be perfectly a pro pos in the context of this film, so he lifted it. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines don't get to argue rights or wrongs or the time and place of a war. Once they are there, once they have their orders, they have to fight. "Wrong war in the wrong place, and that's the one you're stuck with." -- could have been China, could have been Korea, could have been Viet Nam, could have been Afghanistan. Or it could be the next Third World hellhole our young people are ordered because some suits in Washington thought going there was in the "National Interest."
An incredible movie based on the James Michener novel of the same name. The director, Ford, and the actors are able to brilliantly portray the reality of military service during wartime. Love, passion, family, liberty exploits, the incredible difficulty of the missions, the sacrifices, and the loss. It's all there, probably one of the best movies ever made, certainly in my top ten. Others include Shane, The Sand Pebbles, et.al..
I was 8 years old in 1953 when my parents took me to see this film along with a sci-fi B movie, The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. I'd always been interested in planes, I think, but when I saw those jets launched from the deck of the carrier, I fell in love with the idea of being a Naval Aviator. That dream would remain with me until high school when I realized that my math skills would never allow me to become an engineer or aircraft designer. Still, I remain fascinated with carrier launched planes and came to have a high regard for aircraft designed by the old Grumman Corporation. The ending of this film broke my heart and it is still hard for me to watch. This film and John Ford's, THEY WERE EXPENDABLE, remain my two favorite films about American servicemen at war. This was also my first time seeing William Holden in a picture and he remained a favorite actor of mine right up until his death. By the way, the carrier used in "Bridges" was the USS Oriskany, which would later suffer almost catastrophic damage off the coast of Viet Nam when a live bomb exploded after an air crash on deck and ignited fuel stores, bombs and planes being readied for mission. The Oriskany was also the carrier John McCain was assigned to when he was shot down. BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI is great film and tribute to the men and women not only of the Navy, but to all who serve.
I also saw this film at about that date, in Liverpool, England, where I was born in 1943, so I would have been aged ten or so. It moved me at the time, and it still does...
My 19 year old brother was killed in Korea, around the second week of the war. I was 3 and I remember the telegram that arrived on a sunny day in July. Pandemonium reigned in my home. When Vietnam came about I went willingly. I ended up fighting and resisting America’s enemies until I was 62. I’m 73 and would go to war again tomorrow. America’s freedom and survival is that important to me. War is not fruitless. The fruit of war is victory. And the fruit of American victory is freedom. It is worth fighting for, and for some, dying for.
I'm all for defending the country but way to often our leaders have got us involved in fights we had no business being in. I served right after Viet Nam and if ordered I would of course done what was expected of me but our leaders have to be held accountable as well so we don't end up supporting people we shouldn't or attacking countries for the wrong reasons.
@@mikeyoung9810 I’m not going to disagree with you but I cannot totally share your point of view. Who determines what fights we should be in? There is no public polling process that I am aware of, and citizens do not get a personal vote as to when we go to war. War should be approved or declared by Congress, the elected representatives of the people, and that may be the best we can hope for. For the most part, there is a lot of angst in Washington when Americans go to war. I served in Washington for most of an adult lifetime and saw the senior-most levels of government at work. While they put their pants on like we do, the weight of their responsibilities is more than we will ever know, and I have seen the toll it takes, even from administration to administration. How we will effectively hold our leaders accountable for their decisions and choices I cannot say. But we can remove them every 4 years if we choose and seek to replace them with better. I also know what it is like to be in uniform and see lives lost while we question the very reasons and purpose people are committed to battle. I can only say after more than 7 decades of life that governing and war making are imperfect processes, and that as humans we have much to learn about humanity.
Guess it is the old saying " All gave some and some gave all" Been fortunate not having had to go to war, but had an uncle who gave all and my father missed him dearly.
First I saw the movie I made it a point to always watch it again, and again. In this scene Bill, and Mickey did a great job handling and discharging their weapons. This is a great movie, classic movie enthusiasts should check it out. U.S., and Allied forces fought gallantly to push back N. Korean and Chinese forces across the 38th Parallel. God bless our brave courageous warriors who fought like hell, and never gave in to the enemy. For those who came home, or fallen on a field of battle. Thank you so much for your service, and preserving democracy to South Korea. I'm a U.S. Marine veteran, and I met many Korean Conflict veterans at the West Los Angeles VA. I always made it a point to thank all veterans for their service to our great country. God Bless Them All.
Holden played that part brilliantly...you really felt for hm...doing his part in WW2 and then having to give up everything to serve again....then being stuck in a war he knew wasn't popular or going anywhere but he did his job anyway....great movie...I served on two carriers, Independence and Enterprise working on F-14A Tomcats....this movie really hits the nail on the head. We're out there every day doing what we have to while most of the rest of the country cares little or even realizes it. it's a lonely, thankless job.
How Can you say ! This war is not going ! Anywhere !? South Korea ! Would be all Kim Jung ung ! Industrial companies ! Might not ! Be There ! The ENTIRE country ! Under Ungs !! Rule !! The South Korean People ! Have AMERICA ! And ALLIED Nations ! To Thank ! For THAT !! BEING !! THE WAY !! IT ! IS !! TODAY !!
One of my friends served on an aircraft carrier and he told me how dangerous it is to serve on the deck of an aircraft carrier with all of the activity going on.
disagree, we have wars because there are bad people who have to be taken out. young men and women go out and get it done because it needs to be done. thus movies can and should have endings which should be uplifting.
My father was an infantry ground pounder going up the boot of Italy during WW2. I was always pumping him for information but he resisted telling me anything until near the end of his life. When I was a war crazed kid we used to watch this film together when it was on Milliom Dollar Movie. Every time this scene came up he would shed a tear and say the Holden and Rooney died like "real mud soldiers". I guess he saw his share. I salute you Dad my boy.
Michener evidently based his book on several raids off Essex and Valley Forge during 1951, whereas the movie was filmed on the Oriskany (CVA-34) a number of years later. Oriskany was sent several times to enforce the cease fire. My pop was CAG-19 (air group commander) during the March 1955 - September 1955 deployment. I was 11 and we lived in Los Altos, CA, near Moffett Field, where Air Group 19 was home based. I recall being told it had four squadrons: VF-191 had (swept wing) F9F-6 Cougars and was led by Cdr. Butch Vorris. He was later a Blue Angel and wrote a book about his career. VF-192 had (straight wing) F9F-5 Panthers and was led by Cdr. Whitehead. See the designation "VF-192" on the jets in the movie. VF-193 had F2H Banshees and was led by Cdr. “Mickey” (Maurice) Wiesner, later an Admiral. Alan Shepard was in VF-193 both during this cruise and the previous cruise (Sept. 1953 - April 1954). He later wrote a book about his career (he couldn't find the carrier and almost had to ditch!) VA-195 had AD Skyraiders and was led by Cdr. Hardy. The ADs were also in the movie. Air Group 19 had once been aboard Boxer, hence the “B” on the tail. During the Pacific war, Air Group 19 had a storied history at Leyte, Okinawa, and in many other battles. I think those who serve in the defense of our country are the bravest of the brave.
Thank you, Don ... Although I was only 7 (I think) when dad retired, I have enjoyed researching and recalling his amazing life. I love how you continue to share these jewels with the world. He was an officer, a gentleman and one of the bravest of the brave. XOXO
Thank you so much for the detailed comment(s). My father avoided the Korean War because he was attending the Naval Academy at the time, graduating in 1954. He became a submariner and spent 26 years on patrol in both fast attack and fleet ballistic missile submarines. Finished his career as a division CO with three squadrons of nuclear boats, totaling 21. I miss him, he was my hero growing up. Everybody loved him, even Admiral Rickover!
A great movie. A great actor and a bit of trivia.. His brother was a fighter pilot who was killed in WWII. I am sure it affected him his whole life. This movie stands out at the fruitless sacrifice of all those men who lost their life. My father was a fighter pilot from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He did not talk about it, but one night he had a few too many drinks and told me the story of a very young pilot who the group use to really like... as a new kid. My Dad had experienced WWII but what he told me was, in WWII, you went out with 20 and maybe 12 or less would return, but in Korea, the young was shot at and ended up crash landing, and my Dad and his group circles and saw him wave away his brothers at the point of capture, only to be found a few days later by a squad of Rangers, and he had been shot in the head. He told it to me, and was very sad... he said, during Korea, we would lose one guy at a time.
An amazing story....Life is the shits for some people that's for sure....the human animal....I saw this movie with my parents when I was 9 or 10....and I didn't like the ending.....I saw the movie the Sand Pebbles ....with my aunt and uncle....the ending was horrible for me as a kid....I don't know how all the kids in the world who face this type of situation are able to move on with their lives....
Your father was a fighter pilot in WW2, Korea and Vietnam? My father was a fighter pilot/naval aviator. Knowing that, it would have been impossible for your father to have been a fighter pilot in VN in his 50s or 60s. C’mon. What one reads on RUclips when it comes to the war(s) is truly astounding. Pure fiction.
I love holdens look at 2.35 that of hopelessness and the realization that he is and mike are not going to be getting out of the stinking ditch in korea alive
I agree one of the most powerful endings of any War Movie ( Anti-War movie) Point 2.15 to 2.25 they gave the audience a long look at the two crippled machines and Nestor;s dead body in the center. Then 2.34 the silent understanding Brubaker and Mike are not going back to the carrier and will be captured or killed. No glory in frames 4.37 to 4.46
Very strong and heart wrenching ending, I recall seeing it many times as a kid growing up in the 60s and 70s on TV. Every time I want to see Holden and Rooney make it out of that Hell, and every time, well....A very unusual and sad ending for a war movie of that era, as most ended on a high and victorious note.
Fredric march was a great actor. An great ending speech. If you like this, watch the Best Years of Their Lives. Great acting by several actors including Mr. March.
This is one of my favorites, especially because of Holden's star role.. But what's note-worthy here is that almost 70 years later North Korea is still a hostile Tyrant run country inspite of the sacrifice of over 50k American servicemen during the Korean conflict... And inspite of these past lessons, here now today The Ukraine War is at hand.. The free world hasn't quite got to the zero tolerance place against tyrants as needed but we're getting there as the support and response shown by the free world to this menacing attack on the Ukraine by Russian President Putin. ☮️ 🇺🇲 🇺🇦
Story based on the military life of Capt. Teddy Ballgame who was shot down over Bridges in Korea with his wingman being Major John Glenn. Ted Williams was recalled to the Marine Corps for an additional 2.5 years after having spent 3 years as a Marine Aviator during WW2. Ted walked away. He would not eject being 6' 4"+ and would have capped both his knees. That would have meant the end of his baseball career. He said he would rather crash and burn than not to play baseball again. Same aircraft just change from a Marine to a Navy Pilot. James Michener's first book and it becomes a movie.
It sure is. Wars are terrible for both sides. Too bad we men have not learned, after so much bloodshed, to talk our differences over, instead of fighting one another.
This is the single best motion picture ever made that pays tribute to US Naval Aviators in my humble opinion. I first saw this great film when I was about 10 years old (after already being a dedicated warbird buff for almost a decade). Very sad ending and even though I have seen it at least a dozen times, it never fails to capture my attention and I always hope that Forney and Lt. Brubaker make it out alive. "Where do we get such men?"
I understand William Holden's brother was a WW2 pilot and the actor insisted on not changing the books ending……One of the best war movies ever and probably the best air war movie ever…..too honest for best picture academy awards…..and a great precursor for Vietnam.
There is a speech that Frederic March gives to Grace Kelly explaining the US presence in Korea that is so prescient because, if you close your eyes and just listen, it is almost verbatim the rationale used to justify the US presence in Viet Nam fifteen years later.
Rooney was still acting until shortly before he died 60 years later: he was on stage in England in 2007. He must have made and blown a fortune in his career- near the end, a lot of what he had left had been sponged away by his "carers" and his official estate was only $18,000.
My uncle was an infantryman in Europe the last five months of WWII, then was recalled to fight in Korea. He survived the battles of Twin Tunnels and Chip-yong-ni. He began to realize then, and later confirmed newspapers did not report actual events. He also knew the UN was very fishy. He died several years ago, and I wonder if he knew about those who formed the UN, and published lies as "news" and if he realized public officials are NOT who they appear to be. "If my sons did not want war, there would be none" - Rothschild witch.
Le destin des soldats est tellement différent. En parlant de la WW2. Une histoire familiale : tous mes grands-pères lorrains ont été incorporés de force dans l'armée allemande. Il s'agit de "Malgré-Nous" mosellans qui avaient été obligés de se présenter aux autorités allemandes sous peine de voir leurs famille déportée dans un camp de concentration. En effet la Moselle et l'Alsace faisaient à nouveau partie du III Reich. Donc le père à ma mère qui venait de terminer son service militaire dans l'armée française, cavalerie légère, s'est retrouvé comme estafette à moto sur le front russe dans la Werhmacht. Il travaillait à la SNCF (chemin de fer) et détestait l'uniforme qu'il portait ainsi qu'Hitler. Fin 1943 il décide de déserter lors d'une permission. A cette époque les soldats allemands rentraient avec leur arme, en l'occurrence un fusil Mauser 98k et des munitions, car au retour ils ignoraient où se trouverait leur régiment sur une ligne de front très mouvante. A son arrivée son arme était déposée soit à la gendarmerie française, institution que l'occupant avait gardée, soit à la Kommandantur. On tamponnait son Soldbuch, son livret militaire, pour prouver qu'il était bien arrivé. Avant son départ son arme lui était remise et il avait droit à un nouveau coup de tampon. Un fois dans le train mon grand-père se met en civil, glisse le fusil dans un étui de canne à pêche et déserte. Quelques semaines plus tard la Gestapo est à ses trousses. Lors d'une perquisition il échappe de peu à la capture et on l'aurait exécuté sans pitié. Il sont plusieurs déserteurs qui survivent tant bien que mal en se gardant des bandes de SS qui patrouillent pour pendre les lâches, les déserteurs et les résistants. Et puis un jour trois nazis, deux Feldgendarmen et un agent de la Polizeï accompagné d'un chien, se dirigent directement vers leur cachette c'est à dire sous un petit pont du ruisseau la Bibiche près de Metzersche 57. Il est probable qu'ils ont été dénoncés. Mon grand-père attend que ses poursuivants soient à bonne distance et les tue tous. Les Allemands plein d'arrogance ne s'attendaient certainement pas à une embuscade. Ce jour-là il a également sauvé la vie de ses copains déserteurs et la sienne. Il a gagné sa liberté en se battant. Heureusement l'armée du général Patton a traversé la rivière Moselle peu après. Mon grand-père maternel était sauvé. Ma famille regorge d'histoires concernant la WW2 et elle a beaucoup souffert de l'occupation allemande. Encore merci à tous ces soldats alliés qui ont souffert pour notre liberté. Votre souvenir reste gravé dans nos cœurs et nos mémoires.
truly a lost classic. Can't understand why this isn't as well known as many older films that are less worthy. I love both the Holden bridge films, and while I'm an enlisted sort like his character in Kwai, I still think this film is just a tiny tiny bit better, but both were classics, no doubt about it. The main characters all die ignobly in the mud, and show realism and yet heroism at the same time.
Some interesting background: There really is a "Toko-ri", at least in South Korea. I saw this film as a kid when it first came out. Years later, in 1973, I was in the Army and assigned to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Hovey. Was I surprised when I arrived to find out that the village right outside the gate of Camp Hovey, and along a rock-strewn stream (river, during the monsoon season) was named "Toko-ri." Remember the saloon and bar scene in the first "Star Wars" film back in 1977? With all the strange aliens drinking, playing games, and their band? Well, at least back in 1973, that was what Toko-ri was like! It was one bizarre place, no kidding. You can get some great overhead satellite views from MapQuest or some other such website. It located northeast of Seoul and slightly southeast of Tong-du-chon, nowadays Dong-du-chon. Tall hills on either side, like in the film.
one of the best war movies ever....love the downer ending..not hollywood at all.....in fact, Will Holden demanded that he die in the ned, just like in the book...when actually the studio wanted him to live...he demanded it though...great actor! Mickey Rooney too
My late uncle was a National Guard infantry sergeant in California when his unit was activated during the Korean War. They did lots of combat training stateside and in Japan as they readied to deploy in Korea. He would never talk about Korea, but I only know from my mom he experienced some heavy fighting and once had to threaten some of his men when they got scared and wanted to run in their first battle. Those particular men quickly decided their chances were better fighting the enemy and stayed. Something I only found out in the printed life story at his funeral was that as he was heading back to a field HQ from the front line another time, an artillery round hit nearby and knocked him unconscious into a ravine. He lay there for many hours, still out, until some passing GIs saw him and got him to medical aid. I had never known until the day our family buried him decades after the war that he had survived this incident.
Overlooked classic, I think because of its maturity. By that, I don't mean anything any more depressing than any war movie. I mean because most movies would focus only on the two men at the end, the big wig and Lee, because they're high ranking officers. This movie focused on the three men who would be overlooked in other war movies. Very true to the book, and it was a good book. Why this isn't heralded as a classic is beyond me.
Holden is a true bad ass and scared to death at the same time. Love Holden for all his work. Love this movie. Hate this ending everytime hard to watch.
This is one of those movies that, DESPITE the Hollywood theatrics, coveys the realities of war. For me, and "My" war, is was "We Were Soldiers Once, And Young." Once of my best friends went from scared 19 year old SP4 to 100% Disabled vet in 30 seconds (Recon platoon, 2nd Bn, 7th Cav under LtCol McDade). I wasn't there yet, as I at the time was only 12 (got there at 18--we still miss you SP4 Pete Tapia), but I got there as soon as I could. The movie came out while I was going through my academy at FLETC. My classmate and close friend held me as I sobbed for 45 minutes after it ended. Here's to us, and those like us--damned few left... Hammer USAF SSgt; CW4/SrAviator; INS/ICE/CBP, ret.
Good film I saw in 1955, with a realistic ending. In wars people get killed. No matter what is done, when our time is up, it is up, period. The sad part is the family he left behind.
A profound statement and question. Where do we get such men. This can certainly apply to those unselfish and courageous Marines fighting in Afghanistan at this moment. Where do we get such men.
Speaking of Sabres. There is a great book called "Sabres Over Mig Alley." The F-86 & the battle for air superiority in Korea. You may want to check it out.
@@DetTigerFan Thank you Detroit...I will check that out. Try the book "Bury Me Upside Down" Its about the Vietnam War call sign "Misty" Pilots...strapped into F 100 Super Sabres low level recon over the Ho Chi Mihn Trail and North Vietnam. They were fast moving FACs. One of the best aviation books I have ever read.
Not too many movies about The Forgotten War. This one and The Steel Helmet (1951) are about the best films about Korea. Also featuring one of my favourite Fredric March characters. He was doing a lot of good movies later in his career: The Bridges At Toko-Ri, The Desperate Hours, Inherit The Wind, and Seven Days In May.
Why don't they show this movie on tv, I have had it on my satellite to record for over 2 years and they never show it. It is a very good movie. I guess it truly is the forgotten war. Many good comments on this vid. Thank You .
The film was based on the book by James Mitchener (author of 'Space', 'Hawaii,' and others) was really short. He probably wrote it over a weekend, since his other books are really long. I know it's a movie, but you wanted Holden to shove up the throttle and get serious altitude when he knew the fuel was running out through the fuselage. Maybe he would have made it over the ridge after all. You can get this film on a four disk package deal from Amazon that includes 'Hell Is For Heroes', 'Defiance', and 'Enemy At The Gates,' for less than 12 bucks. Highly recommended.
In later years, I came to feel that the very thing that made him such a great pilot - his penchaant for flying low over a target for maximum effect - was the very thing that cost him his life. Had he pulled out at higher altitude his plane might not have been struck by the debris from the explosion.
I recall reading the book 'Hands to Flying Stations' in which was described a firepower demo by one of the Bonaventure's Banshee's, they set up a large wooden barn on the range in Gagetown, and had a flight of Banshee's make strafing runs at it, after the first Banshee had it's turn there was nothing left but splinters, that's what 4 1950's vintage 20mm cannons could do I can only marvel at the firepower modern fighter bombers have.
I, too, have watched the movie several times during my lifetime. Each time I hope that somehow Mike and Nestor will be able to rescue Lt. Brubaker. They had been able to rescue him once at sea at the beginning of the movie, but to do so again deep in hostile territory was beyond their capacity. :-(
This is brilliant because it's very realistic.There is seldom macho heroism in war.It's 2 sides opposing and trying to destroy each other.It's as simple as that.
That egg beater sure could have used a minnie gun or at least a huey-door gunner M 60. Watching real jet fighters take off from a wooden is amazing ....real live hand signals...follow the high ball...hand flags....WOW...WOW...WOW
Good point about those old helo's. Remember, it's these realizations, which are literally written in blood, that cause an overwhelming amount of change in the military. Changes in tactics, procedures and onboard equipment, (like a door gunner w/m60), etc..
that old Sikorsky HOS-3 "Mix Master" copter had a hard enough time just carrying it,s own crew of 2 with a few small arms and personal equipment plus a single rescued man.....underpowered like most piston-engine copters. later on,it was gas turbine power for helicopters that made all the difference. the 7.62mm Minigun and M-60 MG didn,t exist yet during Korea {if only they had...!} and the recoil for a .50cal Browning M2 machine gun would probably have shaken that dainty copter to pieces.....! a "Ma Deuce" with a decent ammo supply is pretty heavy too.....if they,d managed to rescue Brubaker,Nestor would have certainly had to jettison the M2 and ammo boxes just for the weight and the copter,s delicate center-of-gravity. US Navy Essex-class carriers still had wood planked flight decks but the jet blast and heat from the early jets such as Panthers and Banshees was nowhere near as hot,powerful and intense as with later types of Navy jets. they did put steel plates over the wood in vulnerable spots such as the catapults where the jets would be in a tail-down attitude at full power for launch.
When Brubaker is hit by anti-aircraft fire, and prepares to crash-land, I really felt the resignation he (and real pilots in similar situations) must have felt when they knew their lives might end soon at the hands of a brutal enemy.
Also remember, they mentioned that he just survived a crash landing in the water, and having ditched and survived before, in his mind it was a case of "here we go again", which he was not looking forward to
I hate to be melodramatic, but the constant memory of what the KY Board of Medical Licensure did to me when they suspended my medical license in 1994 has just spontaneously revived this movie, which I had not seen, nor the book read, since back in 7th grade in 1967 when I was in Mr. Ohler's English class at Nichols School of Buffalo, NY. I still remember Ohler's comment."What a place to die!" Unfortunately, this could be the tale of millions of other soldiers who had to die in the most filthy disgusting places, whether in the trenches of WWI or in the rubble of Stalingrad, and not from just being killed, but slow agony from wounds, infection, cold, or starvation. Getting shot in the back of the thigh, dropping the rifle and having to resort to a revolver as a last ditch defense before being killed like a pig by the final shot and expiring on the spot was probably the most realistic re-enactment in any war movie I have ever seen. None of this "glorious shot" in the chest with a dramatic collapse. Mickey Rooney's acting and convincing portrayal of Mike as a true hero, unselfish, and focused on fighting with Brubaker to the end, especially rushing to get the 2nd grenade and warning Brubaker, was superb. Holden's look of quiet acceptance of his situation is matched only in a movie called "Breaker Morant," when Harry Morant (played by Edward Woodward) is saying goodbye to his defense lawyer before being led off to the firing squad. This movie is still available in full on You Tube. Why this movie suddenly flashed back yesterday after all these years on my drive from Elizabeth City to Asheville, NC, I do not know. I now realize I sort of felt like Brubaker as the KY Medical Board descended on me and destroyed my life and career in 1994. Professionally, was left to die in a ditch that day as I was served up as a scapegoat for public relations for an event in 1991 which plagued my life and career thereafter until forced into retirement in 2016. All that training, a BA, Williams College , MS, MD at University of Louisville, residency in Albany NY, all wasted in an instant because I didn't check a drug in Hardin Memorial Hospital KY after having given a confirmed order to the operating room nurse for the correct drug and dose, which she then directed an unauthorized tech, in blatant premeditated misconduct to fetch for her. The tech drew up a lethal drug. The nurse didn't check. I was unaware this prohibited transfer of duty had occurred behind my back as I was handed the syringe. This event was an early chapter in my memoirs: As Stacey Keach (Captain McVay) stated so eloquently in his meeting with Japanese sub commander Hashimoto after McVay's court martial in the movie "Mission of the Shark," when asked by Hashimoto whether McVay was "a man who believed in fate," McVay responded: "No. I am man who is trying to accept it." My Medical-Legal Back Pages. Archway. Bryce Sterling. An incredible tale of true events. Sorry for the plug.
From a smelly ditch in Korea to a smelly ditch in Iraq. The wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time. We never learn. The world's policeman stumbles again.
Man, what a lonely and hopeless feeling that must have been down in that ditch and watching that lead Skyraider rocking his wings saying "good by"! I remember finding the book in my hi-school library and reading it,hoping it would have a happier ending than it did in the movie, but, it did'nt, sorry to say. The only thing different in the book was the type of aircraft they were using. In the Mitchner novel they were flying Banshees.
Banshees were obsolete the minute the Navy deployed them. Ironically, the F9F Panthers you see in the film and which replaced the Banshees, were themselves replaced soon after the end of the Korean conflict by sleeker and faster aircraft. The Grumman Panther is an ancestor of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
@@johnhardman3 I remember getting a Revell model of the Cougar maybe about 1955, which would have been two years or so after I saw "Bridges." My first thought was, "wow, the Panther's got swept wings, now." Lol.
Imagine how those US Marines, sailors and civilian workers felt as the horde of Japanese soldiers stormed the beach at Wake Island after laying siege for 15 days? I remember my father telling me how terrifying it was for the soldiers in his division (the 36th Division) to try and cross the Rapido River in Italy with well-entrenched German soldiers firing at them from close range.
How did you get out here in a smelly ditch in Korea? Great movie starring my favorite actor, carrying my favorite battle rifle M-1 Carbine; Bill Holden!
What you said made a lot of senses. Killing each other were not civilized and should be a better way to deal with it. I watched this movie in 1965 and still remembered the killing scene of William Holden. Thank You to share your personal feelings to us. Hope one day the world peace will come.
This scene hits me right in the breadbasket. The Chief on the "mixmaster" to save Brubaker has a second crewman(Earl Holliman), with a philappino name -Nestor Gammage ?
Top movie my father met Mickey Rooney back in the1960s in a Sydney Australia night club I'm jellious of all the good looking women Mickey was associated with they were all stunners Jesus!!!!!!
Où sont passés ces Hommes courageux ? En parlant de liaisons sur le front russe lors de la WW2. Une histoire familiale : tous mes grands-pères lorrains ont été incorporés de force dans l'armée allemande. Il s'agit de "Malgré-Nous" mosellans qui avaient été obligés de se présenter aux autorités allemandes sous peine de voir leurs famille déportée dans un camp de concentration. En effet la Moselle et l'Alsace faisaient à nouveau partie du III Reich. Donc le père à ma mère qui venait de terminer son service militaire dans l'armée française, cavalerie légère, s'est retrouvé comme estafette à moto sur le front russe dans la Werhmacht. Il travaillait à la SNCF (chemin de fer) et détestait l'uniforme qu'il portait ainsi qu'Hitler. Fin 1943 il décide de déserter lors d'une permission. A cette époque les soldats allemands rentraient avec leur arme, en l'occurrence un fusil Mauser 98k et des munitions, car au retour ils ignoraient où se trouverait leur régiment sur une ligne de front très mouvante. A son arrivée son arme était déposée soit à la gendarmerie française, institution que l'occupant avait gardée, soit à la Kommandantur. On tamponnait son Soldbuch, son livret militaire, pour prouver qu'il était bien arrivé. Avant son départ son arme lui était remise et il avait droit à un nouveau coup de tampon. Un fois dans le train mon grand-père se met en civil, glisse le fusil dans un étui de canne à pêche et déserte. Quelques semaines plus tard la Gestapo est à ses trousses. Lors d'une perquisition il échappe de peu à la capture et on l'aurait exécuté sans pitié. Il sont plusieurs déserteurs qui survivent tant bien que mal en se gardant des bandes de SS qui patrouillent pour pendre les lâches, les déserteurs et les résistants. Et puis un jour trois nazis, deux Feldgendarmen et un agent de la Polizeï accompagné d'un chien, se dirigent directement vers leur cachette c'est à dire sous un petit pont du ruisseau la Bibiche près de Metzersche 57. Il est probable qu'ils ont été dénoncés. Mon grand-père attend que ses poursuivants soient à bonne distance et les tue tous. Les Allemands plein d'arrogance ne s'attendaient certainement pas à une embuscade. Ce jour-là il a également sauvé la vie de ses copains déserteurs et la sienne. Il a gagné sa liberté en se battant. Heureusement l'armée du général Patton a traversé la rivière Moselle peu après. Mon grand-père maternel était sauvé. Ma famille regorge d'histoires concernant la WW2 et elle a beaucoup souffert de l'occupation allemande. Encore merci à tous ces soldats alliés qui ont souffert pour notre liberté. Votre souvenir reste gravé dans nos cœurs et nos mémoires. 🇺🇸💪💞👍🇫🇷
We get such men from the same places we have always gotten them. The homesteads, farms, shops, mines, ships, factories across America. We have always gotten them from America homes, families. Nothing else matters but that these are men willing to go and fight and come back. Then go out again! After all the rules say you have to go out. There is no real rule that says you have to come back!
Yeah they would torture and beat them for days and days to get them to sign confessions that they were ordered to kill women and children. If the option is death or capture. Then I’m choosing death every time, no way am I ever going to end up a POW. If it came down to that then I would eat my own gun, death before dishonor.
"....Where do we get such men?..." I worry about the USA nowadays. I fear we are running out of such men to lead and guide and get the nasty and dirty work done.
Don't worry too much about that. Even during this disgusting time of 'toxic masculinity', there are still tough, intelligent men (and women) willing to serve our country with honor and distinction. Many of them have made the ultimate sacrifice which is such a shame. We do need these men to help get our country through tough time of conflict and uncertainty.
Hollywood movies wanting to use footage of US military hardware , have always had to give the Pentagon script approval . So as to make sure the story fits the US military view of things . Still the same today .
"Where do we get such men". Powerful and inspirational words.
Cette génération d'hommes a malheureusement disparue et c'est dommage, terriblement dommage 😢😢😢
No that’s not right. These men are losers and suckers. Mr. Trump told me that.
Because of This movie and Mickey Rooney, I ended up a helicopter pilot for almost 40 years. Retired now.
Thank you for your service.
From one of your former passengers.
The pilot of the S-51/ H-5 in that film (the one Mickey Rooney flew), was my father!
@@CalicoJack1803 👍👍👍
Favorite movie
My late father was in the US Army . He was sent to Korea in 1950 and was there for 18 months. He saw this movie in a packed theater. I remember him saying that when the movie was over there was absolute silence as people exited the theater.
Very powerful movie.
To those who served I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Bless you
My uncle was a business professional with a wife and young son and was called back to fight in Korea. He died at the Chosin Reservoir. This movie always makes me think of him.
Rick Roscoe what was he a soldier or pilot
Soldier in the artillery.
Rick Roscoe My grand uncle flew Meteors in Korea with the RAAF. Was shot down by Migs and taken prisoner What they did to him gave him nightmares for the next 30 years.
Many men lost their lives in this forgotten War. What stands out today, after decades is, that women should of been subject to the same draft as men were. The Federal Court just gave a ruling on it. I myself was subject to the draft and felt very upset that they did not induct women, when they enjoyed the exact some rights as men.
Condolences to sir & your family over 50,000 brave souls & may God Preserve Each &
one of their souls.
This scene has stuck with me for years - saw this movie late one night when I was about 10, and the ending was just so full of sadness and despair. Mickey Rooney with just an incredibly natural acting style here, not to mention Holden who dies in both of his 'Bridge' movies.
Thanks for posting.
Notice that when Brubaker suggests that they take off their yellow life vests, Rooney leans his rifle up against the ditch wall and almost imperceptibly checks the muzzle to make sure it is clear of any dirt/mud from going down the barrel. I guarantee that was not in the script! But, it makes the movie so much more realistic and is a tribute to Rooney's great acting, and gun knowledge!
@@reggierico
I think Mickey Rooney was awarded a Bronze Star while he served as a soldier in the E.T.O. during World War II.
You nailed it.... I saw this movie when I was a kid, too - probably on one of those TNT Memorial Day Weekend specials. This scene is haunting... what sacrifice! Excellent film!
I was 7or 8, myself. All my life this has been one of my favorite movies.
Me too, seen this when I was younger, that's why I'm here. Sad ending 😢
William Holden's brother was a Navy
fighter pilot killed in the South Pacifc during WW II. It was said that William Holden had so much influence over the studios that he literally changed the ending of this movie to what we see here.
Some pilots who flew with his brother, Robert during WW II say Holden was
portraying him in this film. It seems the ending was his way of telling the truth
about warfare.Everyone expected him to
get rescued and all three go home. It didn't work out that way.
The ending was too gritty for me to decipher as a kid. Only as I've aged do the themes come into focus.
Frederic March's "Where do we get such men?" speech at the end is the film's nexus for me now.
@@TralfazConstruction..it continually brings tears to my eyes. These...brave...men!
@@warplanner8852 💯 Absolutely.
Ironically, Holden had appeared in a "happy ending" war film just three years earlier with Force of Arms (his World War II Army soldier character falls in love with a WAC, marries her, and then miraculously survives some of the worst fighting of the Italian Campaign). However, that film also showed war's insanity and horrible emotional trauma. Holden's war epics were definitely grittier than most.
"We fight because we're here...Wrong war in the wrong place, and that's the one you're stuck with."
This was actually a misquote. General Bradley, then Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, was in fact testifying in Congress against McArthur's proposed invasion of China from Korea when he said such a war (the invasion of China) would be a wrong war at the wrong time and wrong time against the wrong enemy. He was NOT talking about the Korean War.
@@willofnj1732 , perhaps so, but the screenwriter no doubt found Bradley's original comment to be perfectly a pro pos in the context of this film, so he lifted it. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines don't get to argue rights or wrongs or the time and place of a war. Once they are there, once they have their orders, they have to fight. "Wrong war in the wrong place, and that's the one you're stuck with." -- could have been China, could have been Korea, could have been Viet Nam, could have been Afghanistan. Or it could be the next Third World hellhole our young people are ordered because some suits in Washington thought going there was in the "National Interest."
Sounds like Vietnam
An incredible movie based on the James Michener novel of the same name. The director, Ford, and the actors are able to brilliantly portray the reality of military service during wartime. Love, passion, family, liberty exploits, the incredible difficulty of the missions, the sacrifices, and the loss. It's all there, probably one of the best movies ever made, certainly in my top ten. Others include Shane, The Sand Pebbles, et.al..
I was 8 years old in 1953 when my parents took me to see this film along with a sci-fi B movie, The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. I'd always been interested in planes, I think, but when I saw those jets launched from the deck of the carrier, I fell in love with the idea of being a Naval Aviator. That dream would remain with me until high school when I realized that my math skills would never allow me to become an engineer or aircraft designer. Still, I remain fascinated with carrier launched planes and came to have a high regard for aircraft designed by the old Grumman Corporation. The ending of this film broke my heart and it is still hard for me to watch. This film and John Ford's, THEY WERE EXPENDABLE, remain my two favorite films about American servicemen at war. This was also my first time seeing William Holden in a picture and he remained a favorite actor of mine right up until his death. By the way, the carrier used in "Bridges" was the USS Oriskany, which would later suffer almost catastrophic damage off the coast of Viet Nam when a live bomb exploded after an air crash on deck and ignited fuel stores, bombs and planes being readied for mission. The Oriskany was also the carrier John McCain was assigned to when he was shot down. BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI is great film and tribute to the men and women not only of the Navy, but to all who serve.
I also saw this film at about that date, in Liverpool, England, where I was born in 1943, so I would have been aged ten or so. It moved me at the time, and it still does...
Omg. Me2
My sentiments also...
I also believe old number 34 At the very end was sunk as a artificial reef!
@@turkey0165 Yes. there is footage elsewhere on RUclips.
The end of this movie always gets to me....”where do we get such men.”
Those sentiments are so haunting.
It’s a great book by the late James Michener.
Frederick March at his finest
Me too.
My 19 year old brother was killed in Korea, around the second week of the war. I was 3 and I remember the telegram that arrived on a sunny day in July. Pandemonium reigned in my home. When Vietnam came about I went willingly. I ended up fighting and resisting America’s enemies until I was 62. I’m 73 and would go to war again tomorrow. America’s freedom and survival is that important to me.
War is not fruitless. The fruit of war is victory. And the fruit of American victory is freedom. It is worth fighting for, and for some, dying for.
I'm all for defending the country but way to often our leaders have got us involved in fights we had no business being in. I served right after Viet Nam and if ordered I would of course done what was expected of me but our leaders have to be held accountable as well so we don't end up supporting people we shouldn't or attacking countries for the wrong reasons.
@@mikeyoung9810 I’m not going to disagree with you but I cannot totally share your point of view. Who determines what fights we should be in? There is no public polling process that I am aware of, and citizens do not get a personal vote as to when we go to war. War should be approved or declared by Congress, the elected representatives of the people, and that may be the best we can hope for.
For the most part, there is a lot of angst in Washington when Americans go to war. I served in Washington for most of an adult lifetime and saw the senior-most levels of government at work. While they put their pants on like we do, the weight of their responsibilities is more than we will ever know, and I have seen the toll it takes, even from administration to administration.
How we will effectively hold our leaders accountable for their decisions and choices I cannot say. But we can remove them every 4 years if we choose and seek to replace them with better.
I also know what it is like to be in uniform and see lives lost while we question the very reasons and purpose people are committed to battle. I can only say after more than 7 decades of life that governing and war making are imperfect processes, and that as humans we have much to learn about humanity.
Here’s where they can find such Man. In people like you.
Guess it is the old saying " All gave some and some gave all" Been fortunate not having had to go to war, but had an uncle who gave all and my father missed him dearly.
From one veteran to another thank you for your service Sir !
First I saw the movie I made it a point to always watch it again, and again. In this scene Bill, and Mickey did a great job handling and discharging their weapons. This is a great movie, classic movie enthusiasts should check it out. U.S., and Allied forces fought gallantly to push back N. Korean and Chinese forces across the 38th Parallel. God bless our brave courageous warriors who fought like hell, and never gave in to the enemy. For those who came home, or fallen on a field of battle. Thank you so much for your service, and preserving democracy to South Korea. I'm a U.S. Marine veteran, and I met many Korean Conflict veterans at the West Los Angeles VA. I always made it a point to thank all veterans for their service to our great country. God Bless Them All.
Amen to that!
There's always a muddy ditch somewhere.
Holden played that part brilliantly...you really felt for hm...doing his part in WW2 and then having to give up everything to serve again....then being stuck in a war he knew wasn't popular or going anywhere but he did his job anyway....great movie...I served on two carriers, Independence and Enterprise working on F-14A Tomcats....this movie really hits the nail on the head. We're out there every day doing what we have to while most of the rest of the country cares little or even realizes it. it's a lonely, thankless job.
How Can you say ! This war is not going ! Anywhere !? South Korea ! Would be all Kim Jung ung ! Industrial companies ! Might not ! Be There ! The ENTIRE country ! Under Ungs !! Rule !! The South Korean People ! Have AMERICA ! And ALLIED Nations ! To Thank ! For THAT !! BEING !! THE WAY !! IT ! IS !! TODAY !!
One of my friends served on an aircraft carrier and he told me how dangerous it is to serve on the deck of an aircraft carrier with all of the activity going on.
In my opinion, no war movie should ever have a happy ending. The Bridges At Toko Ri really stands out.
Watch Stalingrad and if you haven't yet I won't spoil the ending.
Marco Oliva they all die
disagree, we have wars because there are bad people who have to be taken out. young men and women go out and get it done because it needs to be done. thus movies can and should have endings which should be uplifting.
My father was an infantry ground pounder going up the boot of Italy during WW2. I was always pumping him for information but he resisted telling me anything until near the end of his life. When I was a war crazed kid we used to watch this film together when it was on Milliom Dollar Movie. Every time this scene came up he would shed a tear and say the Holden and Rooney died like "real mud soldiers". I guess he saw his share. I salute you Dad my boy.
Wow this is the true 50’s experience here! Quality and all.
God bless the Navy SAR teams who came to the rescue in those pitiful little unarmed eggbeaters that they had back then. Those boys had a lot of guts.
Michener evidently based his book on several raids off Essex and Valley Forge during 1951, whereas the movie was filmed on the Oriskany (CVA-34) a number of years later. Oriskany was sent several times to enforce the cease fire. My pop was CAG-19 (air group commander) during the March 1955 - September 1955 deployment. I was 11 and we lived in Los Altos, CA, near Moffett Field, where Air Group 19 was home based. I recall being told it had four squadrons:
VF-191 had (swept wing) F9F-6 Cougars and was led by Cdr. Butch Vorris. He was later a Blue Angel and wrote a book about his career.
VF-192 had (straight wing) F9F-5 Panthers and was led by Cdr. Whitehead. See the designation "VF-192" on the jets in the movie.
VF-193 had F2H Banshees and was led by Cdr. “Mickey” (Maurice) Wiesner, later an Admiral. Alan Shepard was in VF-193 both during this cruise and the previous cruise (Sept. 1953 - April 1954). He later wrote a book about his career (he couldn't find the carrier and almost had to ditch!)
VA-195 had AD Skyraiders and was led by Cdr. Hardy. The ADs were also in the movie.
Air Group 19 had once been aboard Boxer, hence the “B” on the tail. During the Pacific war, Air Group 19 had a storied history at Leyte, Okinawa, and in many other battles. I think those who serve in the defense of our country are the bravest of the brave.
Thank you, Don ... Although I was only 7 (I think) when dad retired, I have enjoyed researching and recalling his amazing life. I love how you continue to share these jewels with the world. He was an officer, a gentleman and one of the bravest of the brave. XOXO
Thank you so much for the detailed comment(s). My father avoided the Korean War because he was attending the Naval Academy at the time, graduating in 1954. He became a submariner and spent 26 years on patrol in both fast attack and fleet ballistic missile submarines. Finished his career as a division CO with three squadrons of nuclear boats, totaling 21. I miss him, he was my hero growing up. Everybody loved him, even Admiral Rickover!
The painful reality of war, death and great sorrow are brought about with this film! War is man's worst invention!
How Brubaker dies in that muddy ditch scene has always stuck with me, thru the years! Gritty realism and small unit tactics . Being overwhelmed!
A great movie. A great actor and a bit of trivia.. His brother was a fighter pilot who was killed in WWII. I am sure it affected him his whole life. This movie stands out at the fruitless sacrifice of all those men who lost their life. My father was a fighter pilot from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He did not talk about it, but one night he had a few too many drinks and told me the story of a very young pilot who the group use to really like... as a new kid. My Dad had experienced WWII but what he told me was, in WWII, you went out with 20 and maybe 12 or less would return, but in Korea, the young was shot at and ended up crash landing, and my Dad and his group circles and saw him wave away his brothers at the point of capture, only to be found a few days later by a squad of Rangers, and he had been shot in the head. He told it to me, and was very sad... he said, during Korea, we would lose one guy at a time.
An amazing story....Life is the shits for some people that's for sure....the human animal....I saw this movie with my parents when I was 9 or 10....and I didn't like the ending.....I saw the movie the Sand Pebbles ....with my aunt and uncle....the ending was horrible for me as a kid....I don't know how all the kids in the world who face this type of situation are able to move on with their lives....
Your father was a fighter pilot in WW2, Korea and Vietnam? My father was a fighter pilot/naval aviator. Knowing that, it would have been impossible for your father to have been a fighter pilot in VN in his 50s or 60s. C’mon. What one reads on RUclips when it comes to the war(s) is truly astounding. Pure fiction.
One of the most moving endings in film.
I love holdens look at 2.35 that of hopelessness and the realization that he is and mike are not going to be getting out of the stinking ditch in korea alive
To answer his question...they volunteer; they always have.
I agree one of the most powerful endings of any War Movie
( Anti-War movie)
Point 2.15 to 2.25 they gave the audience a long look at the two crippled machines and Nestor;s dead body in the center. Then 2.34 the silent understanding Brubaker and Mike are not going back to the carrier and will be captured or killed.
No glory in frames 4.37 to 4.46
Agreed. And when the last of the AD-6 Skyraiders have to leave, leaving them alone, you sense the feeling of loneliness and despair.
Very strong and heart wrenching ending, I recall seeing it many times as a kid growing up in the 60s and 70s on TV. Every time I want to see Holden and Rooney make it out of that Hell, and every time, well....A very unusual and sad ending for a war movie of that era, as most ended on a high and victorious note.
Fredric march was a great actor. An great ending speech. If you like this, watch the Best Years of Their Lives. Great acting by several actors including Mr. March.
The Best Years of Our Lives is another great movie about the prices our vets have paid defending this country.
Vicki Erickson jjjjiiio
This is one of my favorites, especially because of Holden's star role.. But what's note-worthy here is that almost 70 years later North Korea is still a hostile Tyrant run country inspite of the sacrifice of over 50k American servicemen during the Korean conflict... And inspite of these past lessons, here now today The Ukraine War is at hand.. The free world hasn't quite got to the zero tolerance place against tyrants as needed but we're getting there as the support and response shown by the free world to this menacing attack on the Ukraine by Russian President Putin. ☮️ 🇺🇲 🇺🇦
Story based on the military life of Capt. Teddy Ballgame who was shot down over Bridges in Korea with his wingman being Major John Glenn. Ted Williams was recalled to the Marine Corps for an additional 2.5 years after having spent 3 years as a Marine Aviator during WW2. Ted walked away. He would not eject being 6' 4"+ and would have capped both his knees. That would have meant the end of his baseball career. He said he would rather crash and burn than not to play baseball again. Same aircraft just change from a Marine to a Navy Pilot. James Michener's first book and it becomes a movie.
Great movie with a fantastic cast! No CGI in this movie. Great depiction of the US Navy and the Fleet Air Arm.
What a gem
I keep hoping Bill Holden will make it out of that Goddamned stinking ditch...and always tear up seeing him die there, alone, among enemies.
A very sad ending. I'd read the story before I saw the movie. Even so it was stark to see this..
It sure is. Wars are terrible for both sides. Too bad we men have not learned, after so much bloodshed, to talk our differences over, instead of fighting one another.
This is the single best motion picture ever made that pays tribute to US Naval Aviators in my humble opinion.
I first saw this great film when I was about 10 years old (after already being a dedicated warbird buff for almost a decade).
Very sad ending and even though I have seen it at least a dozen times, it never fails to capture my attention and I always hope that Forney and Lt. Brubaker make it out alive.
"Where do we get such men?"
At 2:40 after the last 4 Skyraiders had left, the silence for one second was deafening.
That moment when you realise they're deep in Indian country and the cavalry isn't coming.
SKYRAIDER = GREAT PLANE....THE FLYING DUMPTRUCK.....
William Dean chjm01057892234
Happened so many times with people who ejected over North Vietnam. Not all were lucky.
Excellent movie indeed. My uncle served in Korea Another good movie to see us Men of the Fighting Lady
I understand William Holden's brother was a WW2 pilot and the actor insisted on not changing the books ending……One of the best war movies ever and probably the best air war movie ever…..too honest for best picture academy awards…..and a great precursor for Vietnam.
There is a speech that Frederic March gives to Grace Kelly explaining the US presence in Korea that is so prescient because, if you close your eyes and just listen, it is almost verbatim the rationale used to justify the US presence in Viet Nam fifteen years later.
Rooney was still acting until shortly before he died 60 years later: he was on stage in England in 2007. He must have made and blown a fortune in his career- near the end, a lot of what he had left had been sponged away by his "carers" and his official estate was only $18,000.
He had a big gambling problem also.
American courage and sacrifice -saved this world from descending into darkness and evil in two world wars.
Oh come on man! It wasn't just the US outside of maybe the North Pacific. In WW1 France held the line and WW2 the USSR.
TheGroundedAviator Yeah- and none were going to win until USA stepped in.
loup garou or provided the equipment. The Arsenal of Democracy.
As the great Sir Winston Churchill once said, “They’ll always be an England as long as there is a United States of America.”
My uncle was an infantryman in Europe the last five months of WWII, then was recalled to fight in Korea. He survived the battles of Twin Tunnels and Chip-yong-ni. He began to realize then, and later confirmed newspapers did not report actual events. He also knew the UN was very fishy. He died several years ago, and I wonder if he knew about those who formed the UN, and published lies as "news" and if he realized public officials are NOT who they appear to be. "If my sons did not want war, there would be none" - Rothschild witch.
Le destin des soldats est tellement différent. En parlant de la WW2. Une histoire familiale : tous mes grands-pères lorrains ont été incorporés de force dans l'armée allemande. Il s'agit de "Malgré-Nous" mosellans qui avaient été obligés de se présenter aux autorités allemandes sous peine de voir leurs famille déportée dans un camp de concentration. En effet la Moselle et l'Alsace faisaient à nouveau partie du III Reich. Donc le père à ma mère qui venait de terminer son service militaire dans l'armée française, cavalerie légère, s'est retrouvé comme estafette à moto sur le front russe dans la Werhmacht. Il travaillait à la SNCF (chemin de fer) et détestait l'uniforme qu'il portait ainsi qu'Hitler. Fin 1943 il décide de déserter lors d'une permission. A cette époque les soldats allemands rentraient avec leur arme, en l'occurrence un fusil Mauser 98k et des munitions, car au retour ils ignoraient où se trouverait leur régiment sur une ligne de front très mouvante. A son arrivée son arme était déposée soit à la gendarmerie française, institution que l'occupant avait gardée, soit à la Kommandantur. On tamponnait son Soldbuch, son livret militaire, pour prouver qu'il était bien arrivé. Avant son départ son arme lui était remise et il avait droit à un nouveau coup de tampon. Un fois dans le train mon grand-père se met en civil, glisse le fusil dans un étui de canne à pêche et déserte. Quelques semaines plus tard la Gestapo est à ses trousses. Lors d'une perquisition il échappe de peu à la capture et on l'aurait exécuté sans pitié. Il sont plusieurs déserteurs qui survivent tant bien que mal en se gardant des bandes de SS qui patrouillent pour pendre les lâches, les déserteurs et les résistants. Et puis un jour trois nazis, deux Feldgendarmen et un agent de la Polizeï accompagné d'un chien, se dirigent directement vers leur cachette c'est à dire sous un petit pont du ruisseau la Bibiche près de Metzersche 57. Il est probable qu'ils ont été dénoncés. Mon grand-père attend que ses poursuivants soient à bonne distance et les tue tous. Les Allemands plein d'arrogance ne s'attendaient certainement pas à une embuscade. Ce jour-là il a également sauvé la vie de ses copains déserteurs et la sienne. Il a gagné sa liberté en se battant. Heureusement l'armée du général Patton a traversé la rivière Moselle peu après. Mon grand-père maternel était sauvé. Ma famille regorge d'histoires concernant la WW2 et elle a beaucoup souffert de l'occupation allemande.
Encore merci à tous ces soldats alliés qui ont souffert pour notre liberté. Votre souvenir reste gravé dans nos cœurs et nos mémoires.
truly a lost classic. Can't understand why this isn't as well known as many older films that are less worthy.
I love both the Holden bridge films, and while I'm an enlisted sort like his character in Kwai, I still think this film is just a tiny tiny bit better, but both were classics, no doubt about it. The main characters all die ignobly in the mud, and show realism and yet heroism at the same time.
Some interesting background: There really is a "Toko-ri", at least in South Korea. I saw this film as a kid when it first came out. Years later, in 1973, I was in the Army and assigned to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Hovey. Was I surprised when I arrived to find out that the village right outside the gate of Camp Hovey, and along a rock-strewn stream (river, during the monsoon season) was named "Toko-ri." Remember the saloon and bar scene in the first "Star Wars" film back in 1977? With all the strange aliens drinking, playing games, and their band? Well, at least back in 1973, that was what Toko-ri was like! It was one bizarre place, no kidding. You can get some great overhead satellite views from MapQuest or some other such website. It located northeast of Seoul and slightly southeast of Tong-du-chon, nowadays Dong-du-chon. Tall hills on either side, like in the film.
James Michener, the author of the book that inspired the film, had gone to Korea during the war. No doubt he was at Toko-Ri at some point,.
C co 1/38th 77-78
@@raytucker6568 Small world, Ray. I was in A Co 1/38 from Jan-Jun 73, and then HHC 1/38 through Dec 73. Rock of the Marne!!
Great movie, fantastic acting and an end that probably happened too many times for real.
I saw this movie on TCM. This ending always gets me.
one of the best war movies ever....love the downer ending..not hollywood at all.....in fact, Will Holden demanded that he die in the ned, just like in the book...when actually the studio wanted him to live...he demanded it though...great actor! Mickey Rooney too
My late uncle was a National Guard infantry sergeant in California when his unit was activated during the Korean War. They did lots of combat training stateside and in Japan as they readied to deploy in Korea. He would never talk about Korea, but I only know from my mom he experienced some heavy fighting and once had to threaten some of his men when they got scared and wanted to run in their first battle. Those particular men quickly decided their chances were better fighting the enemy and stayed. Something I only found out in the printed life story at his funeral was that as he was heading back to a field HQ from the front line another time, an artillery round hit nearby and knocked him unconscious into a ravine. He lay there for many hours, still out, until some passing GIs saw him and got him to medical aid. I had never known until the day our family buried him decades after the war that he had survived this incident.
Overlooked classic, I think because of its maturity. By that, I don't mean anything any more depressing than any war movie. I mean because most movies would focus only on the two men at the end, the big wig and Lee, because they're high ranking officers. This movie focused on the three men who would be overlooked in other war movies. Very true to the book, and it was a good book. Why this isn't heralded as a classic is beyond me.
I feel the same about the British film : The cruel sea. Authentic, very well written.
War movie genealogy is a big cherry on top of all the great fare on these great channels. I am just the lowly benefactor.
RIP Mickey Rooney!
He was a semi-literal alcoholic dwarf
@@maucommaero2368 "...semi-literate" (?)
Holden is a true bad ass and scared to death at the same time. Love Holden for all his work. Love this movie. Hate this ending everytime hard to watch.
This is one of those movies that, DESPITE the Hollywood theatrics, coveys the realities of war. For me, and "My" war, is was "We Were Soldiers Once, And Young." Once of my best friends went from scared 19 year old SP4 to 100% Disabled vet in 30 seconds (Recon platoon, 2nd Bn, 7th Cav under LtCol McDade). I wasn't there yet, as I at the time was only 12 (got there at 18--we still miss you SP4 Pete Tapia), but I got there as soon as I could. The movie came out while I was going through my academy at FLETC. My classmate and close friend held me as I sobbed for 45 minutes after it ended. Here's to us, and those like us--damned few left... Hammer USAF SSgt; CW4/SrAviator; INS/ICE/CBP, ret.
A tragic ending to a great movie.
"And they was gonna give Nestor a medal, too."
Good film I saw in 1955, with a realistic ending. In wars people get killed. No matter what is done, when our time is up, it is up, period. The sad part is the family he left behind.
A profound statement and question. Where do we get such men. This can certainly apply to those unselfish and courageous Marines fighting in Afghanistan at this moment. Where do we get such men.
Same place we always get them from.
My Uncle flew Sabers RCAF. I always loved this movie when I was a kid.
Speaking of Sabres. There is a great book called "Sabres Over Mig Alley." The F-86 & the battle for air superiority in Korea. You may want to check it out.
@@DetTigerFan Thank you Detroit...I will check that out. Try the book "Bury Me Upside Down" Its about the Vietnam War call sign "Misty" Pilots...strapped into F 100 Super Sabres low level recon over the Ho Chi Mihn Trail and North Vietnam. They were fast moving FACs. One of the best aviation books I have ever read.
Great movie.Good story,and lots of action.
Not too many movies about The Forgotten War. This one and The Steel Helmet (1951) are about the best films about Korea. Also featuring one of my favourite Fredric March characters. He was doing a lot of good movies later in his career: The Bridges At Toko-Ri, The Desperate Hours, Inherit The Wind, and Seven Days In May.
LordZontar -agreed. Seven Days in May was excellent. Saw it on TCM maybe 2 yrs ago. Not sure how i had missed it all these years
Don't forget: *Pork Chop Hill*
You're correct...it is the F9F Panther. Ironically, in the book, the plane Brubaker flew was the F2H Banshee
The "Banshee" was a good plane but uglier than the "Panther", so it lost out.
Why don't they show this movie on tv, I have had it on my satellite to record for over 2 years and they never show it. It is a very good movie. I guess it truly is the forgotten war. Many good comments on this vid. Thank You .
The film was based on the book by James Mitchener (author of 'Space', 'Hawaii,' and others) was really short. He probably wrote it over a weekend, since his other books are really long. I know it's a movie, but you wanted Holden to shove up the throttle and get serious altitude when he knew the fuel was running out through the fuselage. Maybe he would have made it over the ridge after all. You can get this film on a four disk package deal from Amazon that includes 'Hell Is For Heroes', 'Defiance', and 'Enemy At The Gates,' for less than 12 bucks. Highly recommended.
In later years, I came to feel that the very thing that made him such a great pilot - his penchaant for flying low over a target for maximum effect - was the very thing that cost him his life. Had he pulled out at higher altitude his plane might not have been struck by the debris from the explosion.
I recall reading the book 'Hands to Flying Stations' in which was described a firepower demo by one of the Bonaventure's Banshee's, they set up a large wooden barn on the range in Gagetown, and had a flight of Banshee's make strafing runs at it, after the first Banshee had it's turn there was nothing left but splinters, that's what 4 1950's vintage 20mm cannons could do I can only marvel at the firepower modern fighter bombers have.
I, too, have watched the movie several times during my lifetime. Each time I hope that somehow Mike and Nestor will be able to rescue Lt. Brubaker. They had been able to rescue him once at sea at the beginning of the movie, but to do so again deep in hostile territory was beyond their capacity. :-(
That Was Just ! POOR !! PLANNING !! AT ! HOW ! THAT ! ATTEMPT !! WAS ! CONDUCTED !!
This is brilliant because it's very realistic.There is seldom macho heroism in war.It's 2 sides opposing and trying to destroy each other.It's as simple as that.
Ржу не могу..Летчик, после аварийной посадки , сбросил летный шлем, под огнем врага ползает по канавам..Но волосы при этом расчесаны идеально)..
That egg beater sure could have used a minnie gun or at least a huey-door gunner M 60.
Watching real jet fighters take off from a wooden is amazing ....real live hand signals...follow the high ball...hand flags....WOW...WOW...WOW
Good point about those old helo's. Remember, it's these realizations, which are literally written in blood, that cause an overwhelming amount of change in the military. Changes in tactics, procedures and onboard equipment, (like a door gunner w/m60), etc..
that old Sikorsky HOS-3 "Mix Master" copter had a hard enough time just carrying it,s own crew of 2 with a few small arms and personal equipment plus a single rescued man.....underpowered like most piston-engine copters. later on,it was gas turbine power for helicopters that made all the difference. the 7.62mm Minigun and M-60 MG didn,t exist yet during Korea {if only they had...!} and the recoil for a .50cal Browning M2 machine gun would probably have shaken that dainty copter to pieces.....! a "Ma Deuce" with a decent ammo supply is pretty heavy too.....if they,d managed to rescue Brubaker,Nestor would have certainly had to jettison the M2 and ammo boxes just for the weight and the copter,s delicate center-of-gravity. US Navy Essex-class carriers still had wood planked flight decks but the jet blast and heat from the early jets such as Panthers and Banshees was nowhere near as hot,powerful and intense as with later types of Navy jets. they did put steel plates over the wood in vulnerable spots such as the catapults where the jets would be in a tail-down attitude at full power for launch.
Big fan of William Holden and the actors of his era.
When Brubaker is hit by anti-aircraft fire, and prepares to crash-land, I really felt the resignation he (and real pilots in similar situations) must have felt when they knew their lives might end soon at the hands of a brutal enemy.
Also remember, they mentioned that he just survived a crash landing in the water, and having ditched and survived before, in his mind it was a case of "here we go again", which he was not looking forward to
Can you imagine being in that much danger, and Mickey Rooney jumps out of the helicopter.
I hate to be melodramatic, but the constant memory of what the KY Board of Medical Licensure did to me when they suspended my medical license in 1994 has just spontaneously revived this movie, which I had not seen, nor the book read, since back in 7th grade in 1967 when I was in Mr. Ohler's English class at Nichols School of Buffalo, NY.
I still remember Ohler's comment."What a place to die!" Unfortunately, this could be the tale of millions of other soldiers who had to die in the most filthy disgusting places, whether in the trenches of WWI or in the rubble of Stalingrad, and not from just being killed, but slow agony from wounds, infection, cold, or starvation.
Getting shot in the back of the thigh, dropping the rifle and having to resort to a revolver as a last ditch defense before being killed like a pig by the final shot and expiring on the spot was probably the most realistic re-enactment in any war movie I have ever seen. None of this "glorious shot" in the chest with a dramatic collapse. Mickey Rooney's acting and convincing portrayal of Mike as a true hero, unselfish, and focused on fighting with Brubaker to the end, especially rushing to get the 2nd grenade and warning Brubaker, was superb.
Holden's look of quiet acceptance of his situation is matched only in a movie called "Breaker Morant," when Harry Morant (played by Edward Woodward) is saying goodbye to his defense lawyer before being led off to the firing squad. This movie is still available in full on You Tube.
Why this movie suddenly flashed back yesterday after all these years on my drive from Elizabeth City to Asheville, NC, I do not know. I now realize I sort of felt like Brubaker as the KY Medical Board descended on me and destroyed my life and career in 1994. Professionally, was left to die in a ditch that day as I was served up as a scapegoat for public relations for an event in 1991 which plagued my life and career thereafter until forced into retirement in 2016. All that training, a BA, Williams College , MS, MD at University of Louisville, residency in Albany NY, all wasted in an instant because I didn't check a drug in Hardin Memorial Hospital KY after having given a confirmed order to the operating room nurse for the correct drug and dose, which she then directed an unauthorized tech, in blatant premeditated misconduct to fetch for her. The tech drew up a lethal drug. The nurse didn't check. I was unaware this prohibited transfer of duty had occurred behind my back as I was handed the syringe. This event was an early chapter in my memoirs:
As Stacey Keach (Captain McVay) stated so eloquently in his meeting with Japanese sub commander Hashimoto after McVay's court martial in the movie "Mission of the Shark," when asked by Hashimoto whether McVay was "a man who believed in fate," McVay responded: "No. I am man who is trying to accept it."
My Medical-Legal Back Pages. Archway. Bryce Sterling. An incredible tale of true events.
Sorry for the plug.
Very sad movie...
From a smelly ditch in Korea to a smelly ditch in Iraq. The wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time. We never learn. The world's policeman stumbles again.
TRAGEDIA
Man, what a lonely and hopeless feeling that must have been down in that ditch
and watching that lead Skyraider rocking his wings saying "good by"! I remember finding
the book in my hi-school library and reading it,hoping it would have a happier ending than it did in the movie, but, it did'nt, sorry to say. The only thing different in the book was the type of aircraft they were using. In the Mitchner novel they were flying Banshees.
Banshees were obsolete the minute the Navy deployed them. Ironically, the F9F Panthers you see in the film and which replaced the Banshees, were themselves replaced soon after the end of the Korean conflict by sleeker and faster aircraft. The Grumman Panther is an ancestor of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
@@TricksterDa123 The straight-winged Panthers were more suited to the straight-deck "Essex" carriers than their swept-wing Cougar successors.
@@johnhardman3 I remember getting a Revell model of the Cougar maybe about 1955, which would have been two years or so after I saw "Bridges." My first thought was, "wow, the Panther's got swept wings, now." Lol.
Imagine how those US Marines, sailors and civilian workers felt as the horde of Japanese soldiers stormed the beach at Wake Island after laying siege for 15 days?
I remember my father telling me how terrifying it was for the soldiers in his division (the 36th Division) to try and cross the Rapido River in Italy with well-entrenched German soldiers firing at them from close range.
Stand on that flight deck at 330 AM waiting for that last night trap and you think of all who made it happen. God Bless Bos,n Heard ♥️
How did you get out here in a smelly ditch in Korea? Great movie starring my favorite actor, carrying my favorite battle rifle M-1 Carbine;
Bill Holden!
Wow, my children will never understand or appreciate it. Such a shame.
What you said made a lot of senses. Killing each other were not civilized and should be a better way to deal with it.
I watched this movie in 1965 and still remembered the killing scene of William Holden.
Thank You to share your personal feelings to us.
Hope one day the world peace will come.
Movies Like "The Bridges at Toko Ri" (1954) Were about Heroism & Comradery Which does exist I believe Yet,For many It was different !
love this movie
This ending stands out when I say it as a kid.
This scene hits me right in the breadbasket. The Chief on the "mixmaster" to save Brubaker has a second crewman(Earl Holliman), with a philappino name -Nestor Gammage ?
It's Gamidge and originates from the Normandy area in France.
Oliver North tells a good Afghanistan story where he talks about not liking this movie’s ending.
Top movie my father met Mickey Rooney back in the1960s in a Sydney Australia night club I'm jellious of all the good looking women Mickey was associated with they were all stunners Jesus!!!!!!
Où sont passés ces Hommes courageux ? En parlant de liaisons sur le front russe lors de la WW2. Une histoire familiale : tous mes grands-pères lorrains ont été incorporés de force dans l'armée allemande. Il s'agit de "Malgré-Nous" mosellans qui avaient été obligés de se présenter aux autorités allemandes sous peine de voir leurs famille déportée dans un camp de concentration. En effet la Moselle et l'Alsace faisaient à nouveau partie du III Reich. Donc le père à ma mère qui venait de terminer son service militaire dans l'armée française, cavalerie légère, s'est retrouvé comme estafette à moto sur le front russe dans la Werhmacht. Il travaillait à la SNCF (chemin de fer) et détestait l'uniforme qu'il portait ainsi qu'Hitler. Fin 1943 il décide de déserter lors d'une permission. A cette époque les soldats allemands rentraient avec leur arme, en l'occurrence un fusil Mauser 98k et des munitions, car au retour ils ignoraient où se trouverait leur régiment sur une ligne de front très mouvante. A son arrivée son arme était déposée soit à la gendarmerie française, institution que l'occupant avait gardée, soit à la Kommandantur. On tamponnait son Soldbuch, son livret militaire, pour prouver qu'il était bien arrivé. Avant son départ son arme lui était remise et il avait droit à un nouveau coup de tampon. Un fois dans le train mon grand-père se met en civil, glisse le fusil dans un étui de canne à pêche et déserte. Quelques semaines plus tard la Gestapo est à ses trousses. Lors d'une perquisition il échappe de peu à la capture et on l'aurait exécuté sans pitié. Il sont plusieurs déserteurs qui survivent tant bien que mal en se gardant des bandes de SS qui patrouillent pour pendre les lâches, les déserteurs et les résistants. Et puis un jour trois nazis, deux Feldgendarmen et un agent de la Polizeï accompagné d'un chien, se dirigent directement vers leur cachette c'est à dire sous un petit pont du ruisseau la Bibiche près de Metzersche 57. Il est probable qu'ils ont été dénoncés. Mon grand-père attend que ses poursuivants soient à bonne distance et les tue tous. Les Allemands plein d'arrogance ne s'attendaient certainement pas à une embuscade. Ce jour-là il a également sauvé la vie de ses copains déserteurs et la sienne. Il a gagné sa liberté en se battant. Heureusement l'armée du général Patton a traversé la rivière Moselle peu après. Mon grand-père maternel était sauvé. Ma famille regorge d'histoires concernant la WW2 et elle a beaucoup souffert de l'occupation allemande.
Encore merci à tous ces soldats alliés qui ont souffert pour notre liberté. Votre souvenir reste gravé dans nos cœurs et nos mémoires. 🇺🇸💪💞👍🇫🇷
We get such men from the same places we have always gotten them. The homesteads, farms, shops, mines, ships, factories across America.
We have always gotten them from America homes, families. Nothing else matters but that these are men willing to go and fight and come back.
Then go out again!
After all the rules say you have to go out. There is no real rule that says you have to come back!
In reality, those North Korean troops would have held off the firing and tried to take them prisoner, pilots were like gold to the North Koreans.
Yeah they would torture and beat them for days and days to get them to sign confessions that they were ordered to kill women and children. If the option is death or capture. Then I’m choosing death every time, no way am I ever going to end up a POW. If it came down to that then I would eat my own gun, death before dishonor.
"....Where do we get such men?..." I worry about the USA nowadays. I fear we are running out of such men to lead and guide and get the nasty and dirty work done.
And then along comes President Trump.
Don't worry too much about that. Even during this disgusting time of 'toxic masculinity', there are still tough, intelligent men (and women) willing to serve our country with honor and distinction. Many of them have made the ultimate sacrifice which is such a shame. We do need these men to help get our country through tough time of conflict and uncertainty.
oh he had Bone Spurs, poor Donnie, and he "knows more about ISIS than the generals".The saddest excuse for a President, ever.
Tell that to the 7,057 men and women who’ve been killed in military operations since 9/11..keep that bullshit to yourself…
Never understood why he didn't surrender? He's shot in the leg he can't get away and he's surrounded. At least he'd still be alive.
CAG (Charles McGraw) quit the Navy and become a Gladiator instructor (Marcellus). :P
The bridges are AT Toko-Ri not OF, in both novel and film. I've been correcting people for 60 years. No-one listens to me.
+Mark harrison I'm listening and I agree, it is The Bridges AT Toko-Ri.
+Dan Uscian At last! A believer! I don't believe it ! Love you, man !
+Mark harrison In fact, I have the DVD of this film and it says right on the cover, "The Bridges at Toko-Ri". So there you have it!
Good Movie, Bad Ending. War is Hell.
WHAT A SAD ENDING !!!😢😢 BUT I HEARD THAT WILLIAM HOLDEN ALWAYS LIKED THIS KIND OF ENDING AND HE ALWAYS CHANGED THE SCRIPT .
Honor as a soldier
While watching this I can't help but think of the HMCS Bonaventure. It even used the same aircraft as in this movie the Banshee.
The "Banshee" or the "Panther"?
These are F9F Panthers.
RIP Harry Brubaker
Where do we get such men ?
Really? You recorded it off the tv?
Hollywood movies wanting to use footage of US military hardware , have always had to give the Pentagon script approval . So as to make sure the story fits the US military view of things . Still the same today .