The Bridge
Seen it?1959 | 103 min | Drama, History, War
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Glory or Schindler's List, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Harrowing.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1959: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A group of German boys are ordered to protect a small bridge in their home village during the waning months of the second world war. Truckloads of defeated, cynical Wehrmacht soldiers flee the approaching American troops, but the boys, full of enthusiasm for the "blood and honor" Nazi ideology, stay to defend the useless bridge. The film is based on a West German anti-war novel of the same name, written by Gregor Dorfmeister.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.6 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Golden Globe: Best Non-English Language Film. Also nominated for 1 Oscar. Plus 3 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 20K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Bernhard Wicki
- Folker BohnetHans Scholten
- Fritz WepperAlbert Mutz
- Michael HinzWalter Forst
- Frank GlaubrechtJurgen Borchert
- Karl Michael BalzerKarl Horber
- Volker LechtenbrinkKlaus Hager
- Günther HoffmannSigi Bernhard
- Cordula TrantowFranziska
- Wolfgang StumpfStern
- Günter PfitzmannHeilmann