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Summary: The Bridges at Toko-Ri
Review: "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" is a very moving film. The sacrifices that some are called upon to make are often gone untold. This film reminds us of those sacrifices in brilliant almost unsettling color images. When you see William Holden's final scene and then think back to a prior scene of Holden with his family, the message hits home. It is a simple but powerful message.
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Summary: This is the definitive war movie, for me
Review: As the Admiral said, in the movie, "The Bridges at Toko-Ri," "Where do we get such men? They leave this ship and they do their job; then they must find this speck, lost somewhere on the sea, and when they have found it they have to land on its pitching deck. Where do we get such men?"They were my friends, these men of whom he speaks. I served with them, and serviced the very airplanes shown in the movie. The Korean War was my war. This is a fine movie. It correctly and accurately depicts life on an aircraft carrier (except for the depiction played by Mickey Rooney--there were no clowns in the service from which I am retired.) Even then, the scenes in Japan on liberty were like the real thing. The writer also took license in the closeness of a young lieutenant to an admiral, and the sequences showing the pilot's family, were unlikely events, but such quibbles are minor details. The airplanes, the fear which the pilots mastered, the courage required when facing capable enemies who are determined to kill you, the crash landing of the F9F (How did they do that so realistically? I don't know. It was not done with a model) the preposterous, irrational incongruity of finding inglorious death in a muddy ditch in a strange land in the afternoon, after breakfasting with your friends in a familiar wardroom--all of these things depict war accurately as seen by Navy pilots, and especially the "Forgotten War": the Korean war. If you would learn about war, see this movie. It will teach you. Or, maybe you had to be there! Joseph Pierre, USN (Ret),
author, Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books
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Summary: Sorry! Poor Show!
Review: Bridges at Toko-Ri is set in Korean peninsula during the Korean War starring Holden as a reserve pilot and his cronies Rooney and some other guy, with Grace Kelly playing the wife. Kelly is wasted or is a waste; she lacks the spontaneity of Hepburn and tries to act the Diva with small beady eyes that rarely open. Why was she called beautiful remains a mystery, obviously if American men wanted to sleep with Nancy Reagan, I reckon Kelly was OK. Considering the fact that had Nancy been released in Salem of 17th Century she would have been an automatic candidate to be burnt on stake. Anyways some aerial shots are worth watching and remain quite unparalleled, but the background music is very poor and, that, is a tragedy, since many a film had little content but scenes were very vastly enhanced due to effective background score. In this film some visual content were superb but the music lets down as it either remains absent or fails to create a menacing atmosphere to jell with Holden's misgiving about the mission. Only the last few minutes are excellent but the rest of the movie looks like a documentary on naval aircrafts with few scenes replete with gross sexism and racism. Rooney is quite good and Holden holds good with a remarkably controlled performance, rest are mediocre and sermonize. Kelly is all about - see my right profile - see 1/10 of my breasts - see my figure and is a big let down.
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Summary: The best !
Review: I read this book when it first appeared in "Life" magazine and later reread it several times. I consider Michener's novel to be among the very best I've ever read and highly recommend it. It follows that Hollywood should (would)jump at the chance to adapt this short novel into a great anti-war film. As I remember the story, the film pretty much follows Michener's plot, with at least one notable exception that doesn't detract from the story's theme and impact. A strong cast, led by William Holden adds to the film's overall quality. Holden simply is outstanding as Lt. Harry Brubaker, a reserve World War II pilot called back to fly against the North Koreans and Chinese. But the supporting players, including Frederic March, Mickey Rooney, Robert Strauss and Charles McGraw are equally effective at depicting hard-nosed professionals. I only wish the staff and crew that put together the special effects were still around to share their thoughts on the spectacular bombing scenes using miniature sets, planes, etc.
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Summary: A great book makes a great movie...even in 1954...
Review: I read this book when it first appeared in "Life" magazine and later reread it several times. I consider Michener's novel to be among the very best I've ever read and highly recommend it. It follows that Hollywood should (would)jump at the chance to adapt this short novel into a great anti-war film. As I remember the story, the film pretty much follows Michener's plot, with at least one notable exception that doesn't detract from the story's theme and impact. A strong cast, led by William Holden adds to the film's overall quality. Holden simply is outstanding as Lt. Harry Brubaker, a reserve World War II pilot called back to fly against the North Koreans and Chinese. But the supporting players, including Frederic March, Mickey Rooney, Robert Strauss and Charles McGraw are equally effective at depicting hard-nosed professionals. I only wish the staff and crew that put together the special effects were still around to share their thoughts on the spectacular bombing scenes using miniature sets, planes, etc.
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Summary: How do you define courage?
Review: In a time when the term "courage" (and "hero") is used so loosely in sports and in business, how many of us look to the true definition? Is it the action of an athelete? A business leader? An actor? Or should we look to a much higher standard? I believe we should and this film does just that. Lieutenant Harry Brubaker is scared of dying while attacking a tough target in Korea (rightfully so), and he asks himself "Why me?" We watch as Brubaker comes to realize why he must risk his life and, in doing so, we see the definition of courage emerge. It is this higher message within the story of Harry Brubaker that makes this such a good movie. We are blessed in real life with courageous heros - James B. Stockdale and Jeremiah Denton to name two. Unlike sports or business, in their line of work, you bury the guy who finishes in second place. Brubaker, Stockdale, Denton, and many others like them are people that didn't risk mere injury, prestige, or money, but rather they risked their LIVES. Not only did they risk death, they did so even knowing the terrible effects their loss would impose on their wives and their children. This is the definition of courage and only those meet such a high standard should be called heros. I hope that after watching "The Bridges at Toko-Ri", you too will define courage by a much higher standard -- not just by what we do, but by what we do in the face of what we stand to lose.
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Summary: Reveals the inner thoughts of Korean War Naval Aviator
Review: In this excellent adaptation of Michener's book of the same name, William Holden delivers a terrific look at the thoughts and worries of a man flying off "the boat". The flying scenes are excellent, and the ramp strike footage has been reused many times in hollywood, most notably in "The Hunt for Red October". One of the best plotlines is that between Holden's character and the flying chief, played by Mickey Rooney. The way each man looks out for one another, across the lines of fraternization, says a great deal about the actual comraderie found in both the military and in combat. If you like Naval Aviation, this "Top Gun-Korea edition" is a must have in your aviation library. Also of note, is the soliloquy given at the very end,(Where do we get such men?....) which has become a cherished quote about those who fly from the pitching decks.
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Summary: It Would Not Be The Same Without Grace Kelly
Review: Other reviewers have done an excellent job of discussing the plot of this film and related matters. I just wanted to add a few of my own thoughts. THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI is definitely a war movie but it also has Grace Kelly and a nice romantic interlude in the middle of the motion picture. Of all the war movies I can recall this is one of the most memorable. It is not because of the action, although the final action sequence seems to be particularly realistic. Instead it is because Holden's character goes through such agonies of conscience and the corresponding reaction of Grace Kelly is so believable. Mickey Rooney and Earl Holliman are terrific. In fact, this may be one of Mickey's very best roles in his long career. If I wanted to recommend a film on the Korean War, this would be my first choice.
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Summary: One of the best war films ever!
Review: Shown from a more anti-hero approach this film seems to have more of a realislistic feel than most war films. In a vast amount of war films if the man is afraid or gun crazy for his country than he is weak and useless instead of being human. All holden wants is to get back to his family and life in one piece and through out the film he more than makes that clear but there are glimpses of a stronger man than we think he has been condtioned to not let the war affect his wife Grace Kelly or their two daughters. The combat scenes are well done and hold up very well today but the script and Holden's acting is the true saving grace of this film. The raw emtotions of conflict and duty is just amazing in this film. For once the true fact about men at war is shown-that when a war breaks out and you stand in the mist of battle it's not for your country you are fighting for but to remain alive and to live for what you have. This film is a must buy for being well crafted and finally about as close to unglamourizing war as a film can get!
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Summary: Is This An Anti-War Movie?
Review: THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI gives a very realistic account of fighting during the Korean War which began over fifty years ago. In light of recent events, this film takes on a new significance.Tensions still exist between North Korea and several other countries including in particular the United States, Japan and South Korea. The same questions the movie raises in 1957 about the futility of war remain relevant today. Most of those questions are asked by Lieutenant Harry Brubaker, a navy reserve pilot called back to duty from his job as a lawyer in civilian life. Brubaker is played by William Holden in one of his most unforgettable roles. Grace Kelly as Brubaker's wife has a minor but important part. The supporting cast of Fredric March, Mickey Rooney, Robert Strauss and Earl Holliman is superb.
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