Amazing Accuracy of Operation Market Garden and other Facts

Rating: 10/10 (31 December 2010)

If you don't want to read about Operation Market Garden watch this film.This movie is an extremely accurate historical account of the mission. The casting is perfect. I can think of no one better to play each part than the cast that was chosen. Each scene is brilliantly acted. The only negative element that I noticed was that General Model was portrayed more cowardly and ignorant than he actually was.The film starts off in Germany with the staff welcoming back General Gerd Von Runstedt to command in Holland. Previous to his return (not shown in the movie)General Von Runstedt was removed from command when he could offer no other advice to Berlin other than "surrender". Obviously Hitler and the High Command did not like this attitude and he was replaced by General Von Kluge. It is believed that Von Kluge had been involved in the assassination attempt on Hitler in July and in about 44 days he was summoned to Berlin. He committed suicide on the way. Again, another new commander was appointed. This time it was Field Marshal Walter Model. Model had the same orders as Von Kluge. In September 1944. he set up as best he could, the German line defense south of the Netherlands' main rivers. With all that territory, there were too few men to stand any chance against the Allies. Many times Model asked Berlin to send help. But Germany didn't have any reinforcements to send. There were shortages in the East and everywhere else.Thus they they pressed wounded, young and old men,and even boys into service. They were all sent to the Netherlands with police, cooks, clerks, recovering soldiers and anyone else to prevent the Allied advance at all costs. Now Model's line stretched from Antwerp (southwest Holland) to Maastricht (south Holland). The 15th Army was ordered to prepare for an assault on Antwerp. He thought maybe there would be a chance to isolate the British troops. Model also ordered the 2nd SS Panzer Corps to retreat towards Arnhem. Again, the High Command was less than satisfied and Model was replaced by Von Runstedt. Even though Model had brought this corps to Arnhem to rest and refit, his decision is one of the reasons, if not the reason, why Operation Market Garden failed.So lets give Model some credit! Other than that, there is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said. The Bridge Too Far is one of the best war films ever and should be part of every History and or War Buff's collection.