Directed by:
Bernhard WickiScreenplay:
Heinz PauckCinematography:
Gerd von BoninComposer:
Hans-Martin MajewskiCast:
Folker Bohnet, Fritz Wepper, Michael Hinz, Frank Glaubrecht, Karl Michael Balzer, Volker Lechtenbrink, Günther Hoffmann, Cordula Trantow, Wolfgang Stumpf (more)Plots(1)
In the last days of World War II in 1945, seven boys from a small German town are called to arms. They're proud of the fact that they can finally prove themselves and under the leadership of sergeant Heilmann take position at a completely militarily insignificant bridge in their insignificant town. But when Heilmann is inadvertently shot and one of the boys loses his life during an air raid, they're eager for revenge and decide to fight against the advancing Americans. From the bloody slaughter only one boy gets out alive. Only then does he realize how absurd was the death of his friends. (Zlín Film Festival)
(more)Reviews (3)
Even on a second viewing, my initial rating remained unchanged. Not that the film is beyond critique, but in this instance, the content was more important than the form for me. Each part of the movie had its own strengths; the first half depicted a carefree life amidst the pervasive war, with some amusing scenes. The tone shifted in the second half, abandoning levity and humor. German introspection gave rise to a subtly powerful anti-war film, weaving together a narrative of unfortunate events, youthful zeal, and mass indoctrination leading to an inevitable outcome. While I have a keen interest in history, particularly war-related events, it's not to revel in the glory that war can offer — becoming a hero, showing bravery, and earning fame and respect. On the contrary, each historical fact reinforces my belief that war is an abomination, where ideals perish alongside the would-be heroes. War, from my perspective, is merely a mechanism for widespread death and mutilation, with those orchestrating it rarely facing the consequences in their bunkers. / Lesson learned: It's there in the film, you can't miss it.
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I don't even know how this film came to me, but I'm very glad it did. It’s an immensely powerful story about how boys end up in war. But this isn't a button war; they've gone straight into World War II and are eager to fight for their country. In some scenes, it’s incredibly powerful and surprisingly naturalistic.
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Of course, The Bridge is far from a perfect film. Critics may point to the weaker moments of the inexperienced young actors, the slow start, and the uneven pacing. However, it tackles an extraordinarily powerful anti-war theme, and there are very few films that have emotionally moved me as much as this one did. Critics might also argue that modern war films feature more effects and greater spectacle. But for its time, The Bridge was an extraordinary artistic achievement, and even after nearly half a century, it is still worth watching. It contains many powerful scenes, absurd situations, and significant dialogues. When compared to modern war films, such as those about the Gulf War, I can’t help but give it five stars. Overall impression: 90%.
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Gallery (29)
Photo © Deutsche Film Hansa
![The Bridge - Lobby Cards](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/159/247/159247511_8a8942.jpg)
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