The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)

Set during the Korean War, a Navy fighter pilot must come to terms with with his own ambivalence towards the war and the fear of having to bomb a set of highly defended bridges. The ending ... See full summary »

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

Valentine Davies (screenplay), James Michener (novel)

Stars:

William Holden, Grace Kelly, Fredric March

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William Holden	...	Lt. Harry Brubaker
Grace Kelly	...	Nancy Brubaker
Fredric March	...	Rear Adm. George Tarrant
Mickey Rooney	...	Mike Forney
Robert Strauss	...	Beer Barrel
Charles McGraw	...	Cmdr. Wayne Lee
Keiko Awaji	...	Kimiko
Earl Holliman	...	Nestor Gamidge
Richard Shannon	...	Lt. (j.g.) Olds
Willis Bouchey	...	Capt. Evans (as Willis B. Bouchey)

Storyline

Set during the Korean War, a Navy fighter pilot must come to terms with with his own ambivalence towards the war and the fear of having to bomb a set of highly defended bridges. The ending of this grim war drama is all tension.

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Plot Keywords:

bridge | fear | korean war | navy | fighter pilot | 

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Taglines:

The screen's explosively real drama of love and war! (US 1959 reissue)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

As Pontes de Toko-Ri

Filming Locations:

Fujiya Hotel, Miyanoshita, Hakone, Kanagawa, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the movie, Brubaker (William Holden) and his squadron mates fly the Grumman F9F Panther, but in the book by James Michener upon which the movie is based, they fly a different plane, the McDonnell F2H Banshee. Both planes were used contemporaneously by the U.S. Navy and both flew combat missions in Korea so the use of the F9F Panther in the film isn't at all anarchistic. In all likelihood, the change in aircraft was do either to logistical considerations or possible to the fact the Panther is just a sexier more photogenic jet then the gangly, vulture-like Banshee.

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Goofs

In a number of scenes, Holden's character goes from wearing his flight helmet to having his helmet off with no time to freshen up in between. Yet his hair is always perfect after taking off his helmet. In reality it would be a mess from the helmet and sweating.

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Quotes

Lt. Harry Brubaker: Did you ever hear Admiral Tarrant go on about the war? About the chosen few who have to lay it on the line?
Mike Forney: Naw, Me and Nester don't do too much fraternizing with Admirals.

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Connections

Featured in The Fifties (1997)

User Reviews

A meritorious tribute to the heroism of the Jet-Bomber pilots...

The mission is clear and straight: to destroy completely the vital Korean bridges at Toko-Ri in order to frustrate enemy actions...

The film is a competent work and meritorious tribute to the heroism of the Jet-Bomber pilots (William Holden and Charles McGraw) and the extreme courage of the helicopter rescue service (Mickey Rooney and Earl Holliman).

'Where do we get such men,' affirms Rear Admiral George Tarran from the bridge of the aircraft carrier, and he was right!

The film exposes a close observation of the men's minds, their attitudes, their families, the tragedy of war, and the fascinating danger of the Jet-Bombers take-off and landing...

Charles G. Clarke's aerial photography in color of the Jet planes is simply spectacular...

Fredric March as the Admiral is staunch and human, and William Holden perfect as the American soldier fighting man... Grace Kelly flourished with her beauty the splendor of the picture...

Based on James E. Michener's novel, this ambitious action thriller is a cut above the usual war tragedy with impressive statements to make about war, death and politics...