The impression left at the end of this fictionalized operation is of its sorry futility, from both sides. The war had already been lost and won by this stage. Robert Vaughn's initial objective, according to the film, seems to have been to delay blowing up the bridge in order to allow the Germans still west of the Rhine to escape back to Germany. About half way through the many inconclusive shootouts, that objective was apparently lost sight of, and the motivation for the delay seemed to change into a policy of letting civilians cross in the opposite direction. It was unclear to me why this was so, or how they would benefit. Was it another tactic to stop the bridge being blown up ? Why were civilians involved at all ? What was the point of the early episode with the French girl, taken prisoner ?
There are conflicting reports about the historical accuracy of the events described, although it is clear that after the bridge was captured three German officers were shot for having either directly disobeyed orders, or having failed in their duty. One reviewer points out that by capturing the bridge the Allies were able, arguably, to prevent the Russians from taking Germany in its entirety, up to the Rhine.
When the film ended it wasn't clear to me if the bridge had not been blown up because the Americans had cut the wires, or because the explosives delivered by the Poles were of inferior quality. The more I think about it, the more chaotic this narrative becomes; but the idea of re-watching it does not attract. For some reason this is not a memorable film. I saw it some years ago, but the only scene I remembered, when re- watching it last night, was the passage with the owner of the Gasthaus, although I don't know why this had stuck, and the rest hadn't.
Checking with the internet, it appears that still no-one knows exactly why the bridge didn't blow up. What is undeniable about this production is the excellence of its scenery and staging. Throughout the film I kept asking myself where on earth this had been shot, and how the pictures of the collapsing buildings had been obtained. The answer is also discoverable via the internet.
Perhaps this time I'll remember the manner in which Robert Vaughn's execution is enacted, towards the end. This is certainly memorable, and must be unique.
There are conflicting reports about the historical accuracy of the events described, although it is clear that after the bridge was captured three German officers were shot for having either directly disobeyed orders, or having failed in their duty. One reviewer points out that by capturing the bridge the Allies were able, arguably, to prevent the Russians from taking Germany in its entirety, up to the Rhine.
When the film ended it wasn't clear to me if the bridge had not been blown up because the Americans had cut the wires, or because the explosives delivered by the Poles were of inferior quality. The more I think about it, the more chaotic this narrative becomes; but the idea of re-watching it does not attract. For some reason this is not a memorable film. I saw it some years ago, but the only scene I remembered, when re- watching it last night, was the passage with the owner of the Gasthaus, although I don't know why this had stuck, and the rest hadn't.
Checking with the internet, it appears that still no-one knows exactly why the bridge didn't blow up. What is undeniable about this production is the excellence of its scenery and staging. Throughout the film I kept asking myself where on earth this had been shot, and how the pictures of the collapsing buildings had been obtained. The answer is also discoverable via the internet.
Perhaps this time I'll remember the manner in which Robert Vaughn's execution is enacted, towards the end. This is certainly memorable, and must be unique.