A Bridge Too Far (1977)

Dana and Tom tackle one of Dana's favorite genres this month, war movies, in honor of Memorial Day, and start with one of Dana's favorites growing up, A Bridge Too Far, directed by David Attenborough; starring Sean Connery, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, Elliott Gould, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, and Laurence Olivier.

Plot Summary: In 1944 as the Western Front is bogged down by supply shortages, the Allies look for a deceive victory to end the war. General Bernard Montgomery proposes Operation Market Garden which envisions 35,000 men being flown and dropped behind enemy lines in the Netherlands. Two divisions of US paratroopers the 101 and the 82 lead by Generals Maxwell Taylor (Paul Maxwell) and James Gavin (Ryan O’Neal) are responsible for securing the road and bridges as far as Nijmegen. The first British Airbourne Division, under Major-General Roy Urquhart (Sean Connery), is to land near Arnhem and hold both sides of the bridge there reinforced by a brigade of Polish paratroopers under General Stanisław Sosabowski (Gene Hackman). The Arnhem bridge is the primary target, as it serves as the last means of escape for the German forces in the Netherlands and a direct route to Germany for the Allies. The road to it, however, is only a single highway linking the various key bridges, and vehicles have to squeeze to the shoulder to pass. The drop proves troublesome, and a Battalion lead by Lt. Cor. John Frost (Anthony Hopkins) is able to reach the bridge but is soon surrounded. XXX Corps lead by Lt Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur (Michael Caine) finds progress slowed by German resistance and the narrowness of the highway. The race is on to reach the Arnhem bridge and save the First British Airbourne.

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