Airborne Movies: A Bridge Too Far

Airborne Movies: A Bridge Too Far

"A Bridge Too Far" is a classic (1977) war film that tells the story of Operation Market Garden, a daring Allied military operation during World War II. Directed by Richard Attenborough, the film features an all-star cast including Sean Connery, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, and Laurence Olivier.

The film pretty accurately depicts the intricate and complex nature of the operation (though every movie has a few inaccuracies), which involved dropping thousands of paratroopers behind enemy lines in occupied Netherlands. The objective was to secure key bridges and establish a supply line to the Allied front. However, things quickly went wrong, and the paratroopers were faced with stiff resistance from the German army. The Allied forces suffered nearly twice as many casualties as they did on D-Day, ending their wishes to end WWII swiftly.

"A Bridge Too Far" is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by paratroopers and the importance of their bravery and skill in times of war. The film's spectacular battle scenes and attention to historical detail make it a must-see for any fan of war films and/or any paratrooper, whether they are fresh out of jump school or already buried their airborne wings at the drop zone.