Film Analysis Report: A Bridge Too Far - WWII, Operation Market Garden

This report provides an analysis of the film 'A Bridge Too Far,' focusing on its depiction of Operation Market Garden, a significant but ultimately failed Allied operation during World War II. The report examines the historical context, the strategic flaws of the plan devised by British Field Marshal Montgomery, and the human cost of the operation. It highlights the film's portrayal of the complexities and tragedies of war, comparing it to other war films, and discusses the film's strengths in recreating historical events with accuracy and humanism. The analysis also touches on the film's impact, concluding that the film effectively portrays the failures and valor of the soldiers involved, offering valuable insights into the nature of war.

Running head: FILM ANALYSIS 1
Film Analysis
Name
Institution

FILM ANALYSIS 2
FILM ANALYSIS
Introduction
The movie A Bridge Too Far features Michael Caine, Robert Redford, Sean Connery,
and Anthony Hopkins. The movie is based on a non-fiction book titled Cornelius Ryan written in
1974. A Bridge Too Far details a failed attempt of an Allied invasion of the Netherlands during
the Second World War. The code name given to this failed invasion was “Operation Market
Garden” that took place in 1944. Operation Market Garden was a representation of a bold plan
whose aim was to defeat the Nazis by 1944. If this plan was successful, rather than the Soviets,
the Americans could have captured Berlin. The Allies were close to succeeding in this mission
but they had extended themselves one ‘bridge too far’.
The Operation Market Garden was devised by British Field Marshal Montgomery who
aimed at outdoing the military success of America’s General Patton. British Field Marshal
Montgomery believed that this plan was the key to ending World War II. In this operation,
35,000 Allied paratroopers were to be dropped in Holland, behind enemy lines (Canby, 2020).
The troops were to forge a path through which armored forces could head to Arnhem. If these
troops could take the last bridge, it was possible for the Allies to capture Ruhr, thus ending
World War II by the end of 1944. However, this plan by the Field Marshal had several flaws.
The British did not work on intelligence reports that indicated that some of the German panzer
divisions located in Holland were in trouble (Tunzelmann, 2020). Besides, the Allies swung into
action quickly using faulty equipment and with little ammunition. Nonetheless, the plan involved
long marches without considering the need for rest and supplies. Within nine days since the plan
was put into action, combined, Allied losses totaled to 17,000.

FILM ANALYSIS 3
Were it that the plan would succeed, the Allies would have been given a head start into
Germany. This success would have allowed an encirclement pf Ruhr, - German’s industrial area-
through a large movement. Simply, the success of Operation Market Garden would have led to
the establishment of a springboard which would make it easy to invade Germany (Saad, 2020). A
Bridge Too Far effectively recreates the complicated as well as the tragic military venture
dubbed “Operation Market Garden” with a sober-eyed humanism, historical accuracy, as well as
a breathtaking sweep. Through this film, a person experiences variety and stupidity, stupidity, as
well as the pain of war (Smith, 2020). However, comparing it with its recent cinematic
predecessors such as Tora! Tora! Tora! Or even Midway, A Bridge Too Far has less dramatic
stiffness and less leaden dialogue.
Conclusion
In a film having such breadth, it would be difficult for a person to expect small incidents
to stand out. The film has an unquestionable standard for war movies that are to be made in the
future. The way the film portrays human failure and valor helps an individual understand that
war is a disease and not an adventure. However, despite the failure, most of the successes in this
film is attributed to humane as well as well-done vignettes.

FILM ANALYSIS 4
References
Canby, V. (2020). Film: It's a Long War In 'Bridge Too Far'. Retrieved 15 April 2020, from
https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/archives/film-its-a-long-war-in-bridge-too-far.htm
[Accessed 15/4/2020]
Saad, M. (2020). Memoir & analysis of 1977 war film 'a bridge too far' by Al Murray. Retrieved
15 April 2020, from https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/memoir-analysis-
1977-war-film-bridge-far-al-murray.html [Accessed 15/4/2020]
Smith, N. (2020). Films that left their subjects fuming. Retrieved 15 April 2020, from
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-45182271 [Accessed 15/4/2020]
Tunzelmann, A. (2020). Reel history | A Bridge Too Far, for allied forces and for viewers.
Retrieved 15 April 2020, from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/jul/15/a-bridge-
too-far-reel-history [Accessed 15/4/2020]