A Bridge Too Far Details

Richard Attenborough's epic retelling of one of the Second World War's biggest debacles is impressive enough, with its eye-catching list of stars, fabulous parachute-drop sequences and superb Panavison photography from Geoffrey Unsworth. But the depressing nature of this moving story of human suffering and sacrifice makes for grim, unedifying viewing, no matter how cleverly writer William Goldman has created drama from the event. Only Sean Connery and Edward Fox really shine in an all-star cast that includes Dirk Bogarde, Gene Hackman, Laurence Olivier, Elliott Gould, James Caan and Robert Redford, though Hardy Kruger and Maximilian Schell emerge with credibility as Germans.

Like all large-scale military films, this one fails to make its tactics clear, and its sober intent conflicts with its roster of guest stars. For all that, there are impressive moments of acting and production.