Customer Reviews

The Bridges at Toko-Ri [VHS]

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Korean War is the setting for "The Bridges At Toko-Ri," a story of individual sacrifice and the high cost of freedom, from director Mark Robson. Navy fighter-pilot Harry Brubaker (William Holden), a veteran of World War II, is called to serve again when the conflict in Korea escalates, which takes him away from his wife, Nancy (Grace Kelly), two young children and a successful law practice. When his plane goes down after a mission, into the sea just short of the carrier, he survives; but he bitterly questions the fairness of what he has been asked to do, while everyone back home is able to go on with the routine of their lives, uninterrupted. Rear Admiral George Tarrant (Fredric March), a man who has had his own share of personal tragedy (he looks upon Brubaker as the son he has lost to the war, himself), tells Brubaker it's a matter of distance; we do this because we're here; back home they're only doing just as you would be doing if you were there. When Brubaker is granted shore leave, strings are pulled, and arrangements are made for Nancy and the children to join him; a brief respite, after which he must return to face his most formidable challenge yet, flying against the bridges that span the canyons at Toko-Ri. Very probably a suicide mission, it is nevertheless believed that knocking out these particular bridges could bring about a turning point in the war, and Lieutenant Brubaker is called upon once again to play a pivotal roll in deciding the outcome. An excellent supporting cast ably brings to life the characters that infuse this drama with humanity. Mickey Rooney is unforgettable as Mike Forney, the fighting, Irish helicopter pilot who fishes Brubaker out of the sea when his plane crashes. Memorable as well are Earl Holliman (Nestor Gamidge, Forney's partner), Robert Strauss (Beer Barrel), Charles McGraw (Commander Wayne Lee), Keiko Awaji (Kimiko) and Willis bouchey (Captain Evans). An excellent precursor to the more recent "Saving Private Ryan," and "U-571," "The Bridges At Toko-Ri" is an intimate study of individual courage and responsibility, and of the moral fortitude of which man is capable in times of crisis. There is a finality to the climax of this film that underscores the intense personal aspects of the larger conflict, and of the price demanded by certain individuals chosen to fulfill a seemingly random destiny. At the end of the movie, Admiral Tarrant sums it up succinctly when he ponders aloud: "Where do we get such men?" To which we can only answer: Where, indeed.

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.

I only tire of the fact that many folks believe this to be an anti war movie. I think it's a war movie. You make your own conclusions. It is possible, I would point out, to not want to go to war, to believe that at this point in our lives as a nation we should have figured out how to avoid it, without labeling movies as "Gung Ho" or anti war. We don't seem to be able to do that, regrettably, so To Ko Ri becomes that much more poignant.

The other area I wrinkle my brow at is the Grace Kelly role. Seems wasted, unecessary. We already know that Harry Brubaker is a decent guy and we don't need carefully angled shots of Grace's not-so-modest bosom to reveal to us that yes, she's a babe and Brubaker loves her.

But the rest of the movie is a portrait of what men and women do at war from 'This Band of Brothers' which is an unbelievably brilliant story by Spielberg and Hanks of the landing/drop at Normandy through Jim Brady's chronicles of Korea to Vietnam to Iraq. They do jobs. The chopper drivers, the CAG, Admiral Tarant, 'Paddles,' it's men and women at work.

The final scene is not a Hollywood ending but it is a real ending. Absolutely brilliant. That there is so much knowledge, compassion and understanding over this forgotten war by the Amazon reviewers and on the Internet impacted somewhat by this movie 52 years later, is a credit to those who saw service there and Michner's excellent novel. I saw this movie as a child. It still puts tears in my eyes. 5 stars. Not enough. Larry Scantlebury

This is a spectacular cast with a good story about a war that is largely forgotten today. William Holden flies from his carrier against the feared bridges despite his fears and misgivings. Holden is effective in conveying that his charater, Brubaker, doubts his chances for survival, especially when crounching in a mud filled trench awaiting for rescue by Mickey Rooney a second time. The first happened after ditching at sea when his jet's engine failed. Grace Kelley provides another reason for his hatred for the war and how it is disrupting his family life and legal practice in Denver. Earlier in the film Federick March reminds him that US Forces in Korea are the point of the spear providing security to the folks at home during the Cold War--now hotter. Mikey Rooney asks Holden when he too crashes in a rescue attempt, "Why us." Holden replies, "because we are here." As the film ends, March wonders where do we get such men.

This has well done flying scenes, excellent special effects, and a distinct but muted anti-war message. Adults will especially enjoy the maturity of the scipt. See it.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

As a Navy brat, this was one of the most revered films by Navy pilots, and war buffs. For once, the stellar looks of Grace Kelly, could not divert you long from this small story of big impact.All flight deck operations and crew protocol are depicted with complete accuracy. When I read of Korean War vets complaining of not having a physical memorial for their experience, I think of "Pork Chop Hill" and this film.Those two films present the unvarnished truth of combat action on the men and their families. Frederick March plays the Admiral, who must maintain his distance and rank privileges without compromising personal feelings. William Holden plays the veteran pilot who's "pushing the envelope" and knows it. Earl Holliman and Mickey Rooney provide humor and hijinks that offset the seriousness of their importance to aircraft operations. The aerial photography is graphic and actual. When the F9F panthers line up at To-ko-ri for their runs, and the oxygen masks start breathing heavy, you're in for a real ride. This war yarn pulls no punches in how it feels sending good men to a violent end in a foreign land far from the comforts of home.