A Quick Summary

Rating: Null/10 (6 November 2004)

This film tells the story behind the battle of Arnhem in September 1944, and the events surrounding it. "Operation Market Garden" was supposed to shorten the
Second World War by several months, and open up several routes by which the
Allies could move into Germany. The mission was a total failure, and resulted in the deaths of several thousand soldiers.
The film is well-made, and features an all-star cast. There are some terrific performances from Dirk Bogarde, Sean Connery, Gene Hackman and Ryan
O'Neal, as well as others like Anthony Hopkins, James Caan and Robert
Redford. You get a feel of just what went wrong, and the reservations of senior officers, who thought the task amounted to a suicide mission. It turned out to be so.
It's a long film but worth watching, in particular it highlights the tenacity and courage of the British Paras, who held out at Arnhem for several days. This
resulted in the Germans nicknaming them "The Red Devils" after their heroic
effort. It's well worth the watch.