The Bridge at Remagen (1969)

Director:

John Guillermin

Writers:

Roger O. Hirson (story)
Richard Yates (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

23 October 1969 (Sweden)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Tagline:

Thus ended the last great German stand in the West.

Plot:

As the Allied armies close in, the Nazis decide to blow up the last Rhine bridge, trapping their own men on the wrong side. But will it happen?

Plot Keywords:

Bridge | Rhine | Army | Nazi | Germany

Cast

George Segal	...	Lt. Phil Hartman
Robert Vaughn	...	Maj. Paul Krüger
Ben Gazzara	...	Sgt. Angelo
Bradford Dillman	...	Maj. Barnes
E.G. Marshall	...	Brig. Gen. Shinner
Peter van Eyck	...	Generaloberst von Brock (as Peter Van Eyck)
Hans Christian Blech	...	Capt. Carl Schmidt
Heinz Reincke	...	Holzgang
Joachim Hansen	...	Capt. Otto Baumann
Sonja Ziemann	...	Greta Holzgang
Anna Gaël	...	French Girl (as Anna Gael)
Vít Olmer	...	Lt. Zimring (as Vit Olmer)
Bo Hopkins	...	Cpl. Grebs
Robert Logan	...	Pvt. Bissell
Matt Clark	...	Cpl. Jellicoe

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:PG | West Germany:12 (f) | New Zealand:PG | UK:A | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:M (original rating) | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Davle, Czech Republic

Company:

Wolper Pictures

Trivia:

One of the first films to be shot behind the Iron Curtain. Czechoslovakia was seen by Russia as becoming too liberal in its values. In attempting to justify the forthcoming invasion by the USSR, Soviet agents spread the rumor that the American soldiers were real. Actually most of them were played by Czech students. Pictures of stored movie props were published as "proofs" of weapons shipments from the United States to arm local "reactionaries". It was even reported that American tanks were rolling through the streets and occupying the towns.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When Maj. Kruger first appears and is talking with the General (who is standing), the shadow of the boom mic can be seen on the chair behind the General.

Quotes:

General Shinner: We're not going to blow that bridge, Barnes, we're going to take it!
Major Barnes: Take it?
General Shinner: As long as it's still standing, we've got a chance. When we get out there, cut every wire and cable. Dent, alert HQ. Ask 'em to give us every available unit on the double.
Col. Dent: Yessir.
Major Barnes: Jesus, sir. I mean, I hate to think of our men in the middle of the bridge when they blow it.
General Shinner: It's a crapshoot, Major. Take that bridge and we shorten the war. We're risking a hundred men, but we may save 10,000 - even 50,000! It's your chance to make history, Major! What you've got to do is throw your men across. Now, Major!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven' (2000) (TV)

The best war movie I've never heard about

This is a no-nonsense, gritty, thoroughly well made war film. As a recreation of war it is quite convincing, I couldn't spot anything wrong with the military equipment. The battle scenes are exciting and give a good, clear picture of the fighting instead of just chaotic shots of shooting and explosions. However, the people are never lost among the warfare. These are complex, solid characters, and the actors are good throughout. There is nothing superhuman, just individuals, very low on humanity or manners. Tired and ill-motivated Americans, desperate and scared Germans. Nothing glorious or patriotic: there is even a scene with American planes bombing refugees and Germans trying to protect them! This is not an adventure, more a depiction of an interesting situation and the people in it. However, the story flows on and there isn't a dull moment. Why this film hasn't acquired more recognition is beyond me. As a war film I think it is better than most of it's contemporaries, like "The Battle of the Bulge" or "Anzio".