A Bridge Too Far (film)

Updated: 12/11/2025, 3:30:23 PM Wikipedia source

A Bridge Too Far is a 1977 epic war film directed by Richard Attenborough. It depicts Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied operation in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II; the film's screenplay, by William Goldman, is based on a book of the same title by historian Cornelius Ryan. It stars an ensemble cast, 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. Independently produced by Richard and Joseph E. Levine, it was the second film based on a book by Ryan to be adapted for the screen (after The Longest Day (1962)). It was the second film based on the events of Operation Market Garden, following Theirs Is the Glory (1946). A co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States, the film was shot on location in the Netherlands, in many of the real locations where the historical events took place. Although released to a tepid critical response, A Bridge Too Far received several awards. At the 31st BAFTA Awards it won four out of eight nominated categories, including Best Supporting Actor for Edward Fox and Best Score for John Addison—who himself had served in the British XXX Corps during Market Garden. Attenborough was nominated for Best Direction, and the film was nominated for Best Motion Picture. It was a success at the box office, becoming the sixth-most popular movie of 1977.

Infobox

Directed by

Richard Attenborough

Screenplay by

William Goldman

Based on

A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan

Produced by

mw- Joseph E. LevineRichard P. Levine

Starring

Dirk BogardeJames CaanMichael CaineSean ConneryEdward FoxElliott GouldGene HackmanAnthony HopkinsHardy KrügerLaurence OlivierRyan O'NealRobert RedfordMaximilian SchellLiv Ullmann

Cinematography

Geoffrey Unsworth

Edited by

Antony Gibbs

Music by

John Addison

Productioncompany

Joseph E. Levine Productions

Distributed by

United Artists

Release date

15 June 1977 (1977-06-15)

Running time

176 minutes

Countries

United Kingdom United States

Languages

EnglishGermanDutch

Budget

$25 million

Box office

$50.7 million

Tables

· Cast and roles › British

Dirk Bogarde

Actor

Dirk Bogarde

Character

Lieutenant-General Frederick 'Boy' Browning

Based on

—

Notes

GOC I British Airborne Corps, and at HQ First Allied Airborne Army as its deputy commander, British Army at Nijmegen.

Edward Fox

Actor

Edward Fox

Character

Lieutenant-General Brian Horrocks

Based on

—

Notes

GOC, XXX Corps, British Second Army.

Sean Connery

Actor

Sean Connery

Character

Major-General Roy Urquhart

Based on

—

Notes

GOC, 1st British Airborne Division, Arnhem

Donald Douglas

Actor

Donald Douglas

Character

Brigadier Gerald Lathbury

Based on

—

Notes

Brigade Commander, 1st Parachute Brigade, British Army in Arnhem.

Gerald Sim

Actor

Gerald Sim

Character

Colonel Sims

Based on

Arthur Austin Eagger

Notes

Senior Medical Officer, 1st Airborne Corps, RAMC, British Army.

Richard Kane

Actor

Richard Kane

Character

Colonel Weaver

Based on

Graeme Warrack

Notes

Senior Medical Officer, Headquarters RAMC, 1st British Airborne Division, at the Main Dressing Station in the Schoonoord Hotel of the Oosterbeek Perimeter.

Philip Raymond

Actor

Philip Raymond

Character

Colonel McEwan

Based on

Edward H. Goulburn

Notes

C.O. 2nd Armoured Grenadier Guards Battalion.

Michael Caine

Actor

Michael Caine

Character

Lieutenant-Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur

Based on

—

Notes

CO, 3rd Battalion (Infantry), the Irish Guards, the Guards Armoured Division, XXX Corps, British Army

Anthony Hopkins

Actor

Anthony Hopkins

Character

Lieutenant-Colonel John Frost

Based on

—

Notes

Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st British Airborne Division at Arnhem road bridge

Michael Byrne

Actor

Michael Byrne

Character

Lieutenant-Colonel Giles Vandeleur

Based on

—

Notes

Acting CO, 2nd Battalion (Armoured), the Irish Guards, the British Guards Armoured Division. Cousin to 'Joe'.

Donald Pickering

Actor

Donald Pickering

Character

Lieutenant-Colonel C.B. MacKenzie

Based on

—

Notes

Principal General Staff Officer (Chief of Staff), Headquarters, 1st Airborne Division, British Army, Divisional HQ at the Hartenstein Hotel

Christopher Good

Actor

Christopher Good

Character

Major Harry Carlyle

Based on

Allison Digby Tatham-Warter

Notes

Officer Commanding, A Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 1st Parachute Brigade, Arnhem.

Frank Grimes

Actor

Frank Grimes

Character

Major Fuller

Based on

Brian Urquhart

Notes

G-2 (Intelligence Officer) for the 1st Airborne Corps, British Army stationed at the HQ located in Moor Park Golf Club, Hertfordshire, England.

Stephen Moore

Actor

Stephen Moore

Character

Major Robert Steele

Based on

Anthony Deane–Drummond

Notes

Second–in–command of the divisional signals for 1st Airborne Division, later attached to 1st Parachute Brigade.

John Stride

Actor

John Stride

Character

Grenadier Guards Major

Based on

Captain Lord Carrington

Notes

British Grenadier Guards Commander who argues with Major Cook after 82nd capture Nijmegen Bridge.

Michael Graham Cox

Actor

Michael Graham Cox

Character

Captain Jimmy Cleminson

Based on

—

Notes

T/Capt., 5 Platoon, B Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, British Army, Arnhem

Keith Drinkel

Actor

Keith Drinkel

Character

Lieutenant Cornish

Based on

Eric MacKay

Notes

9th Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, 1st Airborne Division.

Denholm Elliott

Actor

Denholm Elliott

Character

RAF Meteorology Officer

Based on

—

Jeremy Kemp

Actor

Jeremy Kemp

Character

RAF Briefing Officer

Based on

—

Notes

RAF, although the briefing probably took place at the 1st Airborne Corps HQ in Moor Park Golf Club, Hertfordshire, England

Mark Sheridan

Actor

Mark Sheridan

Character

Sergeant Tomblin

Based on

—

Notes

2nd Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st British Airborne Division

George Innes

Actor

George Innes

Character

Sergeant MacDonald

Based on

—

Notes

British 1st Airborne Division radio operator at the Hartenstein Hotel

Alun Armstrong

Actor

Alun Armstrong

Character

Corporal Davies

Based on

—

Notes

2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st British Airborne Division

Paul Copley

Actor

Paul Copley

Character

Private Wicks

Based on

Dennis Wicks

Notes

Batman to Lieutenant Colonel Frost, CO, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, British Army

Ben Cross

Actor

Ben Cross

Character

Trooper Binns

Based on

—

Notes

2nd Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st British Airborne Division

David Auker

Actor

David Auker

Character

'Taffy' Brace

Based on

—

Notes

Medic, 1st British Airborne Division

Actor	Character	Based on	Notes
Dirk Bogarde	Lieutenant-General Frederick 'Boy' Browning	—	GOC I British Airborne Corps, and at HQ First Allied Airborne Army as its deputy commander, British Army at Nijmegen.
Edward Fox	Lieutenant-General Brian Horrocks	—	GOC, XXX Corps, British Second Army.
Sean Connery	Major-General Roy Urquhart	—	GOC, 1st British Airborne Division, Arnhem
Donald Douglas	Brigadier Gerald Lathbury	—	Brigade Commander, 1st Parachute Brigade, British Army in Arnhem.
Gerald Sim	Colonel Sims	Arthur Austin Eagger	Senior Medical Officer, 1st Airborne Corps, RAMC, British Army.
Richard Kane	Colonel Weaver	Graeme Warrack	Senior Medical Officer, Headquarters RAMC, 1st British Airborne Division, at the Main Dressing Station in the Schoonoord Hotel of the Oosterbeek Perimeter.
Philip Raymond	Colonel McEwan	Edward H. Goulburn	nd Armoured Grenadier Guards Battalion.
Michael Caine	Lieutenant-Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur	—	CO, 3rd Battalion (Infantry), the Irish Guards, the Guards Armoured Division, XXX Corps, British Army
Anthony Hopkins	Lieutenant-Colonel John Frost	—	Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st British Airborne Division at Arnhem road bridge
Michael Byrne	Lieutenant-Colonel Giles Vandeleur	—	Acting CO, 2nd Battalion (Armoured), the Irish Guards, the British Guards Armoured Division. Cousin to 'Joe'.
Donald Pickering	Lieutenant-Colonel C.B. MacKenzie	—	Principal General Staff Officer (Chief of Staff), Headquarters, 1st Airborne Division, British Army, Divisional HQ at the Hartenstein Hotel
Christopher Good	Major Harry Carlyle	Allison Digby Tatham-Warter	Officer Commanding, A Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 1st Parachute Brigade, Arnhem.
Frank Grimes	Major Fuller	Brian Urquhart	G-2 (Intelligence Officer) for the 1st Airborne Corps, British Army stationed at the HQ located in Moor Park Golf Club, Hertfordshire, England.
Stephen Moore	Major Robert Steele	Anthony Deane–Drummond	Second–in–command of the divisional signals for 1st Airborne Division, later attached to 1st Parachute Brigade.
John Stride	Grenadier Guards Major	Captain Lord Carrington	British Grenadier Guards Commander who argues with Major Cook after 82nd capture Nijmegen Bridge.
Michael Graham Cox	Captain Jimmy Cleminson	—	T/Capt., 5 Platoon, B Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, British Army, Arnhem
Keith Drinkel	Lieutenant Cornish	Eric MacKay	9th Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, 1st Airborne Division.
Denholm Elliott	RAF Meteorology Officer	—
Jeremy Kemp	RAF Briefing Officer	—	RAF, although the briefing probably took place at the 1st Airborne Corps HQ in Moor Park Golf Club, Hertfordshire, England
Mark Sheridan	Sergeant Tomblin	—	2nd Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st British Airborne Division
George Innes	Sergeant MacDonald	—	British 1st Airborne Division radio operator at the Hartenstein Hotel
Alun Armstrong	Corporal Davies	—	2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st British Airborne Division
Paul Copley	Private Wicks	Dennis Wicks	Batman to Lieutenant Colonel Frost, CO, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, British Army
Ben Cross	Trooper Binns	—	2nd Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st British Airborne Division
David Auker	'Taffy' Brace	—	Medic, 1st British Airborne Division

· Cast and roles › Americans

Paul Maxwell

Actor

Paul Maxwell

Role

Major General Maxwell Taylor

Based on

—

Notes

CG, 101st Airborne Division, US Army at the Son bridge and later St-Oedenrode

Ryan O'Neal

Actor

Ryan O'Neal

Role

Brigadier General James Gavin

Based on

—

Notes

Division Commander, US 82nd Airborne Division, US Army at the bridge across the River Maas in Grave, later at the Maas-Waal canal and the bridge across the River Waal in Nijmegen

Elliott Gould

Actor

Elliott Gould

Role

Colonel Robert Stout

Based on

Robert Sink

Notes

CO, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

Arthur Hill

Actor

Arthur Hill

Role

US Army Surgeon Colonel

Based on

David Gold

Notes

Chief Division Surgeon, 101st Airborne Division Clearing Station.

Robert Redford

Actor

Robert Redford

Role

Major Julian Cook

Based on

—

Notes

Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne, US Army, seizing key bridges over the Maas-Waal Canal and the river assault crossing of the Waal.

Nicholas Campbell

Actor

Nicholas Campbell

Role

Captain Glass

Based on

LeGrand King Johnson

Notes

CO, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 502PIR.

Garrick Hagon

Actor

Garrick Hagon

Role

Lieutenant Rafferty

Based on

—

Notes

Lieutenant, 101st Military Police Platoon, 101st Airborne Division, Division Field Hospital, US Army

John Ratzenberger

Actor

John Ratzenberger

Role

Lieutenant Wall

Based on

1Lt. James Megellas

Notes

Lieutenant, Company H, 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division, US Army, at River Waal crossing.

James Caan

Actor

James Caan

Role

Staff Sergeant Eddie Dohun

Based on

Charles Dohun

Notes

First Sergeant of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division U.S. Army (attacking Best).

Actor	Role	Based on	Notes
Paul Maxwell	Major General Maxwell Taylor	—	CG, 101st Airborne Division, US Army at the Son bridge and later St-Oedenrode
Ryan O'Neal	Brigadier General James Gavin	—	Division Commander, US 82nd Airborne Division, US Army at the bridge across the River Maas in Grave, later at the Maas-Waal canal and the bridge across the River Waal in Nijmegen
Elliott Gould	Colonel Robert Stout	Robert Sink	CO, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
Arthur Hill	US Army Surgeon Colonel	David Gold	Chief Division Surgeon, 101st Airborne Division Clearing Station.
Robert Redford	Major Julian Cook	—	Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne, US Army, seizing key bridges over the Maas-Waal Canal and the river assault crossing of the Waal.
Nicholas Campbell	Captain Glass	LeGrand King Johnson	CO, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 502PIR.
Garrick Hagon	Lieutenant Rafferty	—	Lieutenant, 101st Military Police Platoon, 101st Airborne Division, Division Field Hospital, US Army
John Ratzenberger	Lieutenant Wall	1Lt. James Megellas	Lieutenant, Company H, 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division, US Army, at River Waal crossing.
James Caan	Staff Sergeant Eddie Dohun	Charles Dohun	First Sergeant of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division U.S. Army (attacking Best).

· Cast and roles › Other Allies

Gene Hackman

Actor

Gene Hackman

Role

Major General Stanisław Sosabowski

Notes

Brigade Commander, Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, Polish Armed Forces

Peter Faber

Actor

Peter Faber

Role

Captain Arie Bestebreurtje

Notes

Liaison officer with the 82nd Airborne Division, Office of Strategic Services, Royal Dutch Army

Siem Vroom

Actor

Siem Vroom

Role

Dutch underground leader

Erik van 't Wout

Actor

Erik van 't Wout

Role

Underground leader's son

Marlies van Alcmaer

Actor

Marlies van Alcmaer

Role

Underground leader's wife

Actor	Role	Notes
Gene Hackman	Major General Stanisław Sosabowski	Brigade Commander, Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, Polish Armed Forces
Peter Faber	Captain Arie Bestebreurtje	Liaison officer with the 82nd Airborne Division, Office of Strategic Services, Royal Dutch Army
Siem Vroom	Dutch underground leader
Erik van 't Wout	Underground leader's son
Marlies van Alcmaer	Underground leader's wife

· Cast and roles › Germans

Wolfgang Preiss

Actor

Wolfgang Preiss

Role

Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt

Based on

—

Notes

Commander, OB West

Walter Kohut

Actor

Walter Kohut

Role

Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model

Based on

—

Notes

Commander, Army Group B

Hardy Krüger

Actor

Hardy Krüger

Role

Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Karl Ludwig

Based on

Heinz Harmel

Notes

Division Commander, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg.

Maximilian Schell

Actor

Maximilian Schell

Role

General der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Bittrich

Based on

—

Notes

Corps Commander, II SS Panzer Corps.

Hans von Borsody

Actor

Hans von Borsody

Role

General der Infanterie Günther Blumentritt

Based on

—

Notes

Chief of Staff, OB West

Fred Williams

Actor

Fred Williams

Role

SS-Hauptsturmführer Viktor Eberhard Gräbner

Based on

—

Notes

Commander, reconnaissance battle group of 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen

Lex van Delden

Actor

Lex van Delden

Role

SS-Oberscharführer Matthias Boschmann

Based on

—

Notes

Bittrich's orderly.

Hartmut Becker

Actor

Hartmut Becker

Role

German Army Feldgendarmerie sentry

Based on

—

Actor	Role	Based on	Notes
Wolfgang Preiss	Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt	—	Commander, OB West
Walter Kohut	Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model	—	Commander, Army Group B
Hardy Krüger	Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Karl Ludwig	Heinz Harmel	Division Commander, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg.
Maximilian Schell	General der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Bittrich	—	Corps Commander, II SS Panzer Corps.
Hans von Borsody	General der Infanterie Günther Blumentritt	—	Chief of Staff, OB West
Fred Williams	SS-Hauptsturmführer Viktor Eberhard Gräbner	—	Commander, reconnaissance battle group of 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen
Lex van Delden	SS-Oberscharführer Matthias Boschmann	—	Bittrich's orderly.
Hartmut Becker	German Army Feldgendarmerie sentry	—

· Cast and roles › Dutch civilians

Laurence Olivier

Actor

Laurence Olivier

Role

Dr Jan Spaander

Liv Ullmann

Actor

Liv Ullmann

Role

Kate ter Horst

Mary Smithuysen

Actor

Mary Smithuysen

Role

Old Dutch lady

Hans Croiset

Actor

Hans Croiset

Role

Old Dutch lady's son

Josephine Peeper

Actor

Josephine Peeper

Role

Cafe waitress

Tom van Beek

Actor

Tom van Beek

Role

Jan ter Horst

Erik Chitty

Actor

Erik Chitty

Role

Organist

Albert van der Harst

Actor

Albert van der Harst

Role

Medic

Richard Attenborough

Actor

Richard Attenborough

Role

Lunatic wearing glasses

Notes

Uncredited cameo

Actor	Role	Notes
Laurence Olivier	Dr Jan Spaander
Liv Ullmann	Kate ter Horst
Mary Smithuysen	Old Dutch lady
Hans Croiset	Old Dutch lady's son
Josephine Peeper	Cafe waitress
Tom van Beek	Jan ter Horst
Erik Chitty	Organist
Albert van der Harst	Medic
Richard Attenborough	Lunatic wearing glasses	Uncredited cameo

Awards and nominations received by A Bridge Too Far · Reception › Accolades

Evening Standard British Film Awards

Award

Evening Standard British Film Awards

Category

Best Film

Nominee

A Bridge Too Far

Result

Won

31st British Academy Film Awards

Award

31st British Academy Film Awards

Category

Best Film

Nominee

A Bridge Too Far

Result

Nominated

Best Direction

Award

Best Direction

Category

Richard Attenborough

Nominee

Nominated

Best Editing

Award

Best Editing

Category

Antony Gibbs

Nominee

Nominated

Best Production Design

Award

Best Production Design

Category

Terence Marsh

Nominee

Nominated

Best Sound

Award

Best Sound

Category

Peter Horrocks, Gerry Humphreys, Simon Kaye, Robin O'Donoghue, and Les Wiggins

Nominee

Won

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Award

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Category

Edward Fox

Nominee

Won

Best Film Music

Award

Best Film Music

Category

John Addison

Nominee

Won

Best Cinematography

Award

Best Cinematography

Category

Geoffrey Unsworth

Nominee

Won

1977 National Society of Film Critics Awards

Award

1977 National Society of Film Critics Awards

Category

Best Supporting Actor

Nominee

Edward Fox

Result

Won

Award	Category	Nominee	Result
Evening Standard British Film Awards	Best Film	A Bridge Too Far	Won
31st British Academy Film Awards	Best Film	A Bridge Too Far	Nominated
	Best Direction	Richard Attenborough	Nominated
	Best Editing	Antony Gibbs	Nominated
	Best Production Design	Terence Marsh	Nominated
	Best Sound	Peter Horrocks, Gerry Humphreys, Simon Kaye, Robin O'Donoghue, and Les Wiggins	Won
	Best Actor in a Supporting Role	Edward Fox	Won
	Best Film Music	John Addison	Won
	Best Cinematography	Geoffrey Unsworth	Won
1977 National Society of Film Critics Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Edward Fox	Won

References

Carried the primary responsibility for the 'Garden' ground offensive part of the operation
Escaping in 1941 to the UK, he studied at the Royal Military Academy and later, in Edinburgh, he was trained as an OSS a
A member of the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment claims there were no more than 200 men involved. Parachute drops we
A Bridge Too Far
http://lumiere.obs.coe.int/web/film_info/?id=29032
BFI
https://web.archive.org/web/20151209165044/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6bc68604
Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television
https://doi.org/10.1080%2F01439685.2011.572606
A Bridge Too Far
https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bridgetoofar.htm
Goldman 1977
The Longest Day
https://www.amazon.com/Longest-Day-June-1944/dp/B002YJG2WU
"Theirs Is the Glory." Arnhem, Hurst and Conflict on Film, Co-authored by David Truesdale and Allan Esler Smith. Page x,
catalog.afi.com
https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/56111
A Bridge Too Far (1977) British Film Institute
https://web.archive.org/web/20080312084607/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/attenborough/bridgefar.html
O.B.E. (Military Division) of the Order "in recognition of gallant and, distinguished services in Sicily" Supplement to
The major did not die of wounds at Brigade HQ but was taken prisoner, moved to the St Elizabeth Hospital and later condu
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/RepPegasus.htm
Ambrose et al 1999, p.132
Yahoo News
https://www.yahoo.com/news/lexington-historian-looking-marker-erected-110322970.html
www.101airborneww2.com
https://www.101airborneww2.com/warstories2.html
"Capt. Arie D. Bestebreurtje – World War II Special Operations Soldier"
https://web.archive.org/web/20141020124955/http://www.b26.com/page/arie.d.bestebreurtje.htm
Hurst, Flt. Lt. K.J., DC-3 Project Officer for the film; AIR International, July 1977, Volume 13, Number 1, pp. 33-34, T
Entirely Up To You, Darling; page 152-3; paperback; Arrow Books; published 2009. ISBN 978-0-099-50304-0
The Washington Post
https://www.proquest.com/docview/146729580
A Bridge Too Far
https://web.archive.org/web/20110907032404/http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/1977/a-bridge-too-far/
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/archives/film-its-a-long-war-in-bridge-too-far.html
Rotten Tomatoes
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bridge_too_far
Metacritic
https://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-bridge-too-far
The New York Times
The Battle for the Rhine 1944
The New Republic
https://newrepublic.com
RogerEbert.com
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-bridge-too-far-1977
Chicago Tribune
The Monthly Film Bulletin
Los Angeles Times
The Washington Post
A Bridge Too Far: Special Edition
https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/05/19/a_bridge_too_far_SE_1977_dvd_review.shtml
Egan, p. 145