Blu-ray Review – A Bridge Too Far (1977)

      A Bridge Too Far, 1977.

      Directed by Richard Attenborough.

      Featuring Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Edward Fox, Elliott Gould, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Hardy Krüger, Laurence Olivier, Ryan O’Neal, Robert Redford, Maximilian Schell, and Liv Ullmann.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Richard Attenborough’s somewhat lesser classic (your opinion may differ, of course), A Bridge Too Far, has been reissued on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD by Kino Lorber, who undertook a new 4K scan and restoration of the original camera negative, as well as a fresh commentary track. There is only one additional feature — a legacy commentary track with screenwriter William Goldman and several crew members — but this edition is still worth acquiring if you appreciate this film, as I do.

      Most World War II movies (the key term being “most”) tend to carry a sense of hope, even if numerous protagonists meet their demise by the end credits. However, A Bridge Too Far from 1977, directed by Richard Attenborough based on a screenplay by William Goldman and the book by Cornelius Ryan, centers on Operation Market Garden, a Dutch invasion that commenced with promise but concluded in failure.

      A Bridge Too Far is distinctive, particularly when juxtaposed with World War II films from the past 35-40 years, due to its ensemble cast. It was among the last, if not the final, big-budget productions teeming with stars of that era. Nevertheless, Hollywood studios had grown skeptical of such films, leading producer Joseph E. Levine to cover most of the budget, with the cast agreeing to a uniform payment.

      Consequently, the film sometimes feels fragmented. It's easy to envision various cast members' agents advocating to ensure their clients had at least one significant scene, even when their roles were brief. Thus, Elliott Gould gets to enjoy a cigar and issue commands, while James Caan is given a tense moment when he threatens a doctor with a gun, insisting he operate on his injured friend.

      Certainly, some roles are meatier, with Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Anthony Hopkins receiving ample screen time as members of the UK forces desperately striving to capture and maintain control of Arnhem. On the American front, Ryan O’Neal and Robert Redford also shine, with John Ratzenberger and Denholm Elliott among the familiar character actors filling minor roles in both groups of soldiers.

      Gene Hackman plays a notable role as a Polish major general commanding his own troops, even if his accent leaves something to be desired. Maximilian Schell leads the German side, while Laurence Olivier and Liv Ullmann portray Dutch civilians.

      Running close to three hours, A Bridge Too Far qualifies as an epic worthy of its title, with substantial plot development to capture the viewer's interest, despite its shortcomings. While some viewers may not appreciate it, I do not belong to that group.

      This new edition from Kino Lorber features a new HD master created from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative. My review copy was a Blu-ray, which looked solid on my system, aside from occasional blemishes in the image; it's also available on 4K Ultra HD.

      Sadly, the bonus features are limited, including just the trailer and two commentary tracks. If you are a fan of the film, you may want to seek out the 4K Ultra HD edition released in the UK, which includes various featurettes and additional content.

      For this release, Kino Lorber commissioned a new commentary track from critics Jay Rubin and Steve Mitchell, with the former being the author of a book titled Combat Films: American Realism. It’s an engaging discussion typical of the “film class on a disc” style commentaries that I always find enjoyable.

      The other extra is a legacy commentary with Goldman and various crew members recorded separately, so you need not worry about awkward pauses or individuals diverging into tangents. This track offers more behind-the-scenes insights regarding the film's production, and if you're curious about any gossip given the star-studded cast, you'll discover some here as well.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook