Commanders

Rating: 7/10 (7 January 2005)

War films should never be confused with history, no matter what their pedigree. A Bridge too Far is based on the book of the same name, by Cornelius Ryan. The book is a serious, and accurate work of fact, the film much less so. It is not possible to condense a battle, which lasted many days, into a couple of hours. However some omissions are unforgivable.
For example. In the film General Horrocks briefing gives the impression that XXX Corps alone is involved in the ground attack. This of course is not so. V111 and X11 Corps advance on XXX Corps flanks, in fact the whole of the British 2nd Army is involved. This leads to the worst omission of the film. The commander of the 2nd British Army, the man who was in overall command of Operation Market Garden, is not represented in the film, and I think not even named. This insult is compounded by the fact that General Patton is mentioned twice, even though he was not involved. If you are reading this, and you have seen the film, but you do not know who I am referring too, shame on you, you need to read more.
The scene towards the end of the film, when Generals Gavin,Horrocks, and Browning discuss whether to keep trying, lacks the presence of the General who made the decision Who was that man? General Sir Miles Dempsey.