
A Bridge Too Far
Seen it?1977 | 175 min | Drama, History, War
Why it’s a Saturday Special
People are still talking about it and it drew serious awards attention. A strong pick for the weekend.
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 The Longest Day or Dunkirk, start here.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 55 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- It's long: 2 hr 55 min.
- Made in 1977: an older pace and style.
The story of Operation Market Garden—a failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine) was doomed to failure.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 4 BAFTAs: 31st British Academy Film Awards: Best Sound, 31st British Academy Film Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, 31st British Academy Film Awards: Best Film Music, 31st British Academy Film Awards: Best Cinematography. Also nominated for 4 more BAFTAs. Plus 2 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$51 million worldwide on a $22 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 468K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Longest DayFriday Night FlickAlso stars Sean Connery, in another military historical drama, and a Friday Night Flick.
DunkirkFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed military war story.
MidwayWeeknight WatchAnother military historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
GreyhoundSaturday SpecialAnother true-story war drama, and a Saturday Special.
Operation MincemeatSaturday SpecialAnother true-story historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Richard Attenborough
- Dirk BogardeLt. Gen. Frederick Browning
- James CaanSSgt. Eddie Dohun
- Michael CaineLt. Col. John O.E. Vandeleur
- Sean ConneryMaj. Gen. Robert E. Urquhart
- Edward FoxLt. Gen. Brian G. Horrocks
- Robert RedfordMaj. Julian Cook
- Elliott GouldCol. Robert Stout
- Anthony HopkinsLt. Col. John D. Frost
- Gene HackmanMaj. Gen. Stanislaw F. Sosabowski
- Hardy KrügerGeneralmajor der Waffen-SS Karl Ludwig