Customer Reviews

Bridges at Toko-Ri (Full Screen)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI gives a very realistic account of fighting during the Korean War. The movie also repeatedly raises questions about the futility of war. 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.

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.

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.

This movie is by far the most realistic movie about air warfare EVER made. As the son of a navy photographer aboard the USS Princeton (CVA-37) during the Korean War, every scene is true to life. From the recovery of aircraft at the beginning of the movie to the RESCAP (REScue Combat Air Patrol) operations towards the end, all elements are just as they really were. There is no unnecessary dialog between the pilots during their recon mission or their actual assault on the bridges. Even the approach to the primary target (perpendicular to the bridges) is accurate. MODEX (the aircraft numbers on front of the jets)indentification was use by all pilots (1-1-0, from 2-0-9'er, where are you?) and is still in use by the Navy to this day. The CAG flew aircraft 00 which IS the aircraft assigned to him. Fear and frustration show on the pilots faces as they wage a war they know will lead to nowhere, but do the job "because we're here". Again, the most realistic war movie ever made. I highly recommend it.

This movie was released in 1954, and it is based on the James Michener novel. It is the story of a Navy reservist pilot who was called up to action during the Korean War. The movie explores his feelings of leaving behind his law practice, wife, and two daughters to fight in the war.

This is not the typical war movie with lots of action footage. In terms of war action, there is the run by the bridges to take pictures, and then there is the run to destroy the bridges and the attack by the communist forces. Other than, the action includes picking up a downed pilot and landing on an aircraft carrier.

This does not mean this is bad movie. This was a movie that draws attention to the dedicated pilots who give up the comfort of home to fight for their country. Listening to the admiral talk of this, you will think this may be a recruiting film.

I would recommend seeing this film.

This is without a doubt, the best film of the Korean war from a naval aviation perspective. The color film is outstanding, the footage of Panthers (F9F's) operating from the straight deck of the old Oriskany is unmatched.

Bill Holden stars as a fighter pilot recalled to active duty from his civilian life. Also stars Princess Grace, in her pre-princess days, and F9F panther jets, one of the most beautiful jet planes ever produced.

Mickey Rooney appears as an enlisted helicopter rescue pilot.

Buy it!, enjoy it!

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.

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!

The Bridges at Toko-Ri is a simple, yet powerfully told story of Navy pilot William Holden, really a lawyer and father of two daughters, questioning his role and purpose during the Korean War. Having narrowly escaped two brushes with danger, he finds himself being sent on a mission he fears may be his last. Holden is quietly excellent in this role, thoughtfully playing the real man behind the hero. I was somewhat surprised by the film's questioning of the war, having assumed that a film made during the Korean War would feature the usual flag waving cliches. I enjoyed the film's honesty, the realistic depiction of the attitudes of its characters, and I especially enjoyed the flight sequences, well filmed and exciting. It's a terrific, mature depiction of war.

"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.