An example in the history of WWII cinema

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2006)

This is one of the best war movies ever made. I've seen it first as a kid, in a movie theater, and I was impressed. Seven or eight years later, I saw it again on TV, taped it and was equally impressed. A short while ago I bought a DVD, special edition, of this movie and my impression still holds after all these years. This is a great film, it packs so much action, humor, wit and beautiful performances by equally great actors, and directing is superb. In those days it took a lot of hard work and skill to portray the operation "Market Garden" which was the biggest airborne assault to this day. The film was made before CGI and all other computer wizardry, and if you compare it to "Saving Private Ryan", it looks a bit dated lake an old car, compared to the new one, but when that car was made using superior workmanship, it can always stand equal to anything new.
The one thing this film has plenty and "Saving private Ryan" does not, is a lot of charm and beautiful witty dialog. The scene in which Christopher Good (Maj. Carlyle), explains to Anthony Hopkins (Gen. Frost), why he is always carrying an umbrella, even into the battle, is a pure example of how this movie works throughout it's course to the downbeat but true finale. It would be hard and space consuming to list all the fine work from all the top actors, and the only thing missing in this picture, in my opinion, is casting of Steve McQueen, who sadly declined an offer of to participate, because he didn't want to appear in an "all star" movie. If he was in, "A Bridge too far" would be absolutely superb. But in any case this film can stand a test of time any day, and I give it 9 out of 10, easy!