Sadly Unknown

Rating: 8/10 (16 July 2002)

This film came out the same year as "Star Wars", and as a result will never get the acclaim or appreciation it deserves. The acting is fine, except for Ryan O'Neal's "grimacing" performance, and the locales are marvelous to behold when they aren't getting blown to bits. The movie does a good job of showing courage under fire, especially with all the praise given to "Black Hawk Down". "Black Hawk Down" is a well-done film in its own right, but it's hard to watch it now without comparing it to this "question of bridges". The Arhnem sequence is probably the best done, with Anthony Hopkins' aristocratic officer trying to keep his men inspired while they are surrounded, outmanned, and outgunned. Also, unlike "Black Hawk", the actor's faces stay clear enough so that the viewer can tell who's who. The plight of the Dutch people, caught between two massive armies is heartrending as well. As one citizen puts it: "Winning and losing is not our profession. Living and dying is". Any fan of war movies should check this one out. It is an excellent portrait of how the ambitions of a few can cause destruction for many