 |
In the last couple of years, I have searched out and purchased many war, or war-related films, but only recently came across this title for whatever reason. I have to admit that I have a prejudice against many movies from the late 60s and 70s because of the cinematography, over-acting (Charlton Heston disaster flicks spring to mind), clothing and hair styles, plus the often-corny dialogue. War films usually escape the clothing and hair style trap because they are essentially period pieces, so I have less issue with them. Bridge at Remagen tells a good story and the acting is--on the whole--very good. The film does contain some of the exaggerated death scenes that were common before cinematography and special effects evolved to make a death more realistic without the actor clutching his belly screaming and throwing himself off a tower or, well, a bridge. The audience also has to accept that the German characters are supposed to be speaking German by the accents they adopt and--successfully for the most part--project, but it does affect the verisimilitude to a degree. I assume the producers determined there was simply too much dialogue amongst the Germans to burden the viewer with subtitles for the entire movie. The story itself is plausible and engaging, as are the characters. The film could probably have used just a bit more action to carry it, but all in all it is a good movie and worth watching and owning.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The story of the capture of the Ludendorf bridge over the Rhine River during World War II-with some details and action inserted to add to the story. The movie begins near the end of the War with the German army in retreat-and just the one bridge over the Rhine River. If the Nazis destroy the bridge too soon, they trap 50,000 of their own soldiers on the wrong side of the bridge, and they will be captured by the allies. George Segal ( King Rat, The Babysitter, California Split, The Hot Rock, etc.) plays a American lieutenant that is in the spearhead of the allied forces attempting to capture the bridge. Robert Vaughn ( Bullitt, The Towering Inferno, Battle Beyond the Stars, The Delta Force, etc) plays an equally committed German major who is leading the defense of the bridge. The movie is based on true events and it is documented that an American officer (Lt Hartman in the movie played by Segal) had grown up near Remagen and pushed for securing this particular bridge-while many American officers did not know about it or about the major roads that existed out of Remagen that when it was captured-led to a quicker end to the war. There are a few historical inaccuracies also (the bridge was taken without virtually any allied casualties-while the German defenders suffered heavily due to tank and artillery fire), but if you can get past though-the movie is good. The director here is John Guillermin and he has made many good movies (Sheena, The Tracker, The Towering Inferno, The BLUE MAX, etc) and here he does a commendable job in making an action movie out of a historical fact that really was without alot of action. People that like World War II movies, students of history or war action and Classics will enjoy this movie a great deal, however, there is not alot for people that enjoy other types of movies. Not alot of great drama here either-as it is based on historical fact. Still a good movie that will give a good nights entertainment if you like those genre of movies.Read full review
This is an accurate portrayal of a major Allied success near the end of World War 2. The U.S. Army roles are excellent as they race to secure the only remaining bridge over the Rhine River, while the German roles portray the desperation and frustration to halt the bridge's eventual capture.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
One of the Best War Movies!I base this Fact on the Quality of the Actors!You got George Segal Who plays an American Soldier Lt. Phil Hartman.An Officer who dislikes War and the Demands placed on Him and his Men.Witness the Scene- Where a German Boy- Hitler Youth Sniper shots down one of his Men and Sgt. Angelo (Ben Gazzara)is sent into attack the Attacker thinking it is a Man but a Boy.Angelo kills the Child Shooter and Feels the Sickness of it All. Lt.Phil Hartman goes to investigate the After Action only to see that Sgt. Angelo Points the Machine Gun towards Him but relents any shooting by coming to his Senses.Angelo sees also the Boylish Face of the Phil Hartman-His Leader.The Objective of the Movie is to Capture the Ramagen Bridge Intact Before the Nazi's Blow It Up.Little did the Americans know about the Cheap Industrial Expolsives until Phil Hartmans Men were defusing the Bridge. Lt.Hartman has this Hard Charging Leader named Major Barnes who puts unreasonable demands upon the Ninth Reconnassance Company He Commands!The Company must be Sacificed so that the American Tank Divison can Roll Forward into the Heart of Germany and the War ended.Lt.Hartman sees the Waste of His Men's lifes since the Bridge is stated for Destruction.Witness a Scene at the Foothold of the Bridge.Major Barnes wants to Know Why Hartmans Company isn't attacking the Germans at the Other end of the Bridge.Theres a Money Betting Pool started among the Hartmans Men that the German's will blow the Bridge.An Argument ensues beween the Major Barnes and Hartmen as to Why cant Barnes lead the Men Over Bridge.Barnes wont because He hides behind his Rank. Barnes drops his Rifle towards Hartman and Sgt.Angelo kicks and Slaps it out the Majors Hands,We dontdo such things in the American Army.Those are Nazi tactics.Words are exchanged like "Sargent You'll dead!" by Major Barnes and Angelo saying "You know where You can find Me"!Lots of Bravado. George Segal (Lt. Hartman)Says Forget It-and Starts across the Bridge-Let the War Settle This Action.Many of Hartman's Solider's Die from Machine Gun Fire as They Reach the Area of Where the Expolsives Are Located.Hartmen and Men Remove them as fast as Possible,but the Germans set them off -While Hartmen's Compay is still on the Bridge.The Leftover Expolsives fail to bring down the Bridge because the Charges were Weak,and the Americans Win a Strategic Objective.Hartmen leads the Tanks over the Bridge and takes Surrender of the Germans.His Nemeiss German Major Paul Krueger(Robert Vaughn-German Commander takes the Kill Post of firing Squad at the end of the Movie asking about Airplanes Overhead wheter theyre Ours or Theirs.The Firing Squad Commander replies" Enemy planes Sir!" Major Krueger Replies "Who's the Enemy"!The End.Read full review
Loaded with star actors in historically correct roles and action galore. My uncle was there as part of this action during WWII and I bought it for him. Buy this one for a US Veteran relative.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
