In 1945, Germany is being overrun, and nobody is left to fight but teenagers.
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Title: The Bridge (1959)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
 |
Folker Bohnet | ... | Hans Scholten |
| Fritz Wepper | ... | Albert Mutz | |
| Michael Hinz | ... | Walter Forst | |
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Frank Glaubrecht | ... | Jurgen Borchert |
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Karl Michael Balzer | ... | Karl Horber |
| Volker Lechtenbrink | ... | Klaus Hager | |
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Günther Hoffmann | ... | Sigi Bernhard |
| Cordula Trantow | ... | Franziska | |
| Wolfgang Stumpf | ... | Stern | |
|
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Günter Pfitzmann | ... | Heilmann |
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Heinz Spitzner | ... | Fröhlich |
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Siegfried Schürenberg | ... | Lt. Colonel |
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Ruth Hausmeister | ... | Mrs. Mutz |
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Eva Vaitl | ... | Mrs. Borchert |
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Edith Schultze-Westrum | ... | Mother Bernhard |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
A group of German boys is ordered to protect a small bridge in their home village during the waning months of the second world war. Truckloads of defeated, cynical Wehrmacht soldiers flee the approaching American troops, but the boys, full of enthusiasm for the "blood and honor" Nazi ideology, stay to defend the useless bridge. Written by Miranda Callahan
Plot Keywords:
reference to romeo and juliet | bridge | boy soldier | american soldier | american abroad |Taglines:
They look for love in a world of violence!Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
West GermanyRelease Date:
1 May 1961 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Bridge See more »Filming Locations:
Cham, Bavaria, GermanyCompany Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The end credits assert that the script relates true facts which happened on April 27 1945. See more »Goofs
For this late in the war the boys are much too well uniformed and equipped. Typical would be a panzerfaust, an armband, and maybe a helmet. See more »Alternate Versions
An English dubbed version was released in the USA in 1963. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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A number of German teenage boys are recruited for the "Volkssturm" in the final days of World War II.
Before they are just normal guys experiencing their first love or having a taste for adventure. This taste for adventure has been exploited by the regime who now tries to use their idealism for delaying the defeat of Germany. They boys think they will contribute to the "Endsieg".
A lieutenant who is like most other grown up persons in the film devoid of any enthusiasm makes a plan to secure them. But the "idealism" the Nazi regime has inculcated into them shatters his plans.
This film moves a generation of Germans growing up around 1960. I think its honors in demasking the Nazi regime among that generation can not be doubted. Therefore some flaws (some melodramatic scenes, mediocre acting by the boys) may be excused. (8/10)