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A Bridge Too Far: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 03:57, 19 August 2009
The film A Bridge Too Far was an epic World War II movie (based on the 1974 best selling book by Cornelius Ryan) directed by Sir Richard Attenborough (better known to younger viewers as an actor, for his portrayal "John Hammond" in the Spielberg Films "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World"). The Film had a mega budget for it's time, $22 Million in 1976 (the film was released in 1977), however the producer, Joseph E. Levine, pre-sold the distribution rights all over the world (and to tempt them, used American and Foreign movie stars who had drawing power all over the world). Ultimately the distributors ended up paying Levine $26 Million for the rights to all of the domestic and foreign markets, thus making it one of the first films to make a profit, before a single screening. However, the film did not do so well in the theaters and received mixed review, so the various distributors around the world, each bore the brunt of the box office disappointments.
The Film is an epic telling of the Allied Airborne operation called 'Market Garden', in which American and British Paratroopers drop far behind enemy lines and try to seize and hold a series of critical bridges in time for their ground armored and infantry divisions to arrive. The title is based on a historical quote by British Lieutenant-General Frederick "Boy" Browning (Dirk Bogarde) who feared early on that they were being too ambitious and famously declared "I think we may be going a bridge too far." In the film, we only hear this line in retrospect, when General Browning mentions that he said it, to a disgusted General Roy Urquhart (Sean Connery), after the disaster that befell the British 1st Airborne in Arnhem.
The movie's dark ending is harsh, yet historically accurate. The Allies never made it into Arnhem, the Allied invasion was halted outside Nijmegan effectivly cutting off more than 10,000 paratroops trapped in Arnhem, Surrounded, the men of the 1st Airbone fought on for seven days, refusing to yield the North side of Arnhem bridge to a superior force, finally, after it was decided that Operation: Market-Garden could not suceed, the Allies began to fall back. 8,000 British soldiers of the 1st Airborne were left behind at the mercy of the Nazis, the Dutch would not see liberation for another 7 months.
The following guns were used in the movie A Bridge Too Far:
Mauser 98K
The Mauser Karabiner 98 (98K) was the standard weapon for all German ground forces during World War 2.
Lee-Enfield No 4 Mk 1*
Used by all British Troops, mostly the Grenadier Guards in the Armored Column as well as the British 1st Airborne Division when they were trapped in Arnhem. The No 4 Mk 1* rifle was also seen in the hands of the Polish Airborne brigade troops. Colonel John Frost (Anthony Hopkins) was also seen using a No.4 rifle during the later stages of the battle for Arnhem.
M1 Garand
Used by American troops The M-1 Garand rifle was a gas operated clip fed semi-automatic shoulder weapon, it served as the primary American weapon from 1942-1957.
M1 Carbine
Used by American Soldiers and mounted on jeeps and other vehicles. Most notably seen when James Caan pulls one out of it's Jeep mount when he is hiding from a German Patrol in the Forest. Also used by Elliott Gould when leading the charge to capture a bridge.
M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine
A Folding stock version of the M1 Carbine, this should have been more prevalent amongst the American Airborne troops, however only a few samples are ever seen in the film, most notably during large scenes of massing troops.
M1911A1
Used throughout the movie, especially by James Caan when threatening a 101st Airborne combat surgeon (Arthur Hill) in order to get him to treat his wounded captain (Nicholas Campbell). The handgun is also seen, albeit briefly, holstered amongst American officers, NCOs and Military Police.
M1911
Apparently, the widespread issue of Browning Hi Power pistols (the iconic handgun of elite British Military units in World War II) to British Airborne units, only started after Operation Market Garden, so it is appropriate that they are seen using another handgun. A likely candidate in this case is the M1911 chambered in .455 Webley, issued to members of the R.A.F. In the film, the British M1911 is used by Roy Urquhart and several other Airborne officers as they try to evade capture by Waffen SS forces.
M1A1 Thompson
Seen only briefly during some of the massing troops scenes, the M1/M1A1 Thompson has a peculiarly small roll in the film. The vast majority of Americans are armed with M1 Garands and M1 Carbines, which is unusual, since during many of the battles, nary an M1A1 Thompson can be seen, which is inaccurate.
- Except that the majority of US Paratroopers did carry M1 Garands and M1A1 folding stock Carbines. The Wierd It 11:37, 18 August 2009 (UTC)
Browning Automatic Rifle
Browning M2 HB
Used by British Armored troops mounted to their Lend Lease Sherman Tanks.
Sten Mk5
The standard submachine gun for British and Polish Airborne units. Differentiated from earlier models by the wooden vertical foregrip and wooden stock.
No2 Portable Flamethrower
Used in the attack on the German bunker on the Arnhem bridge this weapon, known as the "Lifebuoy" for its' resemblance to a lifesaver, was the standard British flamethrower.
PIAT
Projectile Infantry Anti-Tank Used throughout the movie by British and Polish airborne units (who were similarly equipped) this weapon fired a 3 lb. hollow charge warhead via means of a powerful spring which ignited its propellant. The weapon had a powerful recoil which necessitated it being fired prone since any other position would knock the user flat down. Seen especially during the repulse of the initial German assault on the Arnhem bridge.
Bren gun
Vickers Machine Gun
Used by British soldiers when the armored convoy is ambushed.
Karabiner 98 Sniper
Used by designated Marksmen and Snipers in the German Armed forces.
MP40
Used by German troops.
MG42
Used by German troops
MG34
The most commonly seen MG used by German troops in the film.
Barely disguised Leopard Mk 1
In deference to MT2008's observation! ;)
