The Bridge on DVD (2006)

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Foxy from Herts, UK , 10/08/2007

This is a very poignant and thought-provoking documentary about the world's number one suicide spot, the golden gate bridge in san francisco.

the crew filmed the bridge over the space of a year and as a result, you see many of the 24 people who committed suicide by jumping off the bridge in the footage. Spliced together with interviews with the close family and friends of a few of the many victims, you get a real insight on the impact that a suicide has on so many people.

it is immensely strange to view the last seconds of so many people's lives, but it is not sensationalised, and you also see some rescues and interventions, plus an interview with a survivor of a suicide leap with some very frank reflection.

For me, the most disturbing aspect of the documentary is not seeing people plunge to their death, but the fact that so many people pass by those who are climbing over the rail to take their own life, without even raising an eyebrow or trying to help.

A very good documentary on a very widespread theme, that doesn't look to provide the answer 'why' for a change.

  20 out of 21 people found this review helpful

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A customer from London, England , 07/09/2007

I had read reviews saying that this film was nothing more than a 'snuff movie'. This is not a movie, it is a film, beautifully shot with an evocative soundtrack.

Whilst the first few 'jumping' images are shocking, the film actually shows that there is a lack of mental health awareness, which probably is not confined to the U.S. alone, but across the world.

The people who relate their stories, which could not have been easy, do so with dignity. I hope that this film is a fitting tribute to those who not only jumped but those friends & family left behind. This is a thought provoking, hard hitting (no pun intended) film. I congratulate all involved for having the guts to make this film.

  7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

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Dawn Andrews from Essex, England , 28/09/2007

The Bridge is a thought-provoking documentary, which examines suicide activity on Golden Gate Bridge - the world's most prolific suicide spot - during 2004.

The often complex and wide-ranging life events, thought processes and emotions that lead people to take (or attempt to take) their own lives are examined in a series of interviews with the victims' families, friends and colleagues, who provide some background information on the lives and states of minds of those who died. They discuss the impact the suicides have had on their own lives and help viewers to gain some understanding of the vast array of emotions felt by those who are 'left behind' and how individual and personal they can be: grief, relief, denial, acceptance, anger, understanding, ignorance...

The most insightful interviews, perhaps, are those with a young man who survived the jump. He explains what drove him to his attempt, the affect it has had on his life, and his hopes and fears for the future.

The film - which has been described as sensationalist in some reviews - was, in my opinion, no better than many made-for-TV documentaries on the subject of suicide. It differs only in that it focuses on a particular location and shows some of the victims leaping to their deaths. However, it still gets a thumbs-up from me as it presents viewers with the harsh realities of suicide and affords the opportunity to think about, discuss and gain understanding of a sadly taboo subject.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Hampshire , 09/09/2007

Interesting watching, although a little slow going at times. I didn't realise the Golden Gate Bridge was such a mecca for people wishing to end their lives and now they have been caught on film, a very public way to end their life.

Poignant, morbid and fascinating.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Camborne , 29/10/2008

Never less than interesting documentary about jumpers from the golden gate bridge in san francisco.

The vast majority of the film is made up of interviews with relatives and freinds of suicide cases. The consensus of these interviews is one of confusion and hurt. some extremely explicit footage of death leaps is contained at points in the film. These parts left me feeling disturbed and somewhat of a voyeur, espicially in the final leap sequence.

Generally the film is respectful towards the cases and families although with the rising instrumental score at points and focus on the confusion and hurt in interviews one does get a cynical feeling that the emotions are being pointedly stirred in the viewer. Furthermore There is little conclusion the film comes too, this might be from the narrow perspective the film assumes. I would like to have seen a more historical perspective utilized - and perhaps have heard from the people that deal with these suicides i.e - the authorities and coast guard.

The film builds up to a very contentious end scene with a young male jumper whose story forms the latter part of the documentary. it deserves to be seen and demands a debate on the issue of this being either explotation or compassionate explanation. Its all the more relevant when one learns the director did not first inform the interviewees that he had footage of thier loved ones leaping.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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* * * This review contains spoilers * * *

Foxy from Herts, UK , 10/08/2007

This is a very poignant and thought-provoking documentary about the world's number one suicide spot, the golden gate bridge in san francisco.

the crew filmed the bridge over the space of a year and as a result, you see many of the 24 people who committed suicide by jumping off the bridge in the footage. Spliced together with interviews with the close family and friends of a few of the many victims, you get a real insight on the impact that a suicide has on so many people.

it is immensely strange to view the last seconds of so many people's lives, but it is not sensationalised, and you also see some rescues and interventions, plus an interview with a survivor of a suicide leap with some very frank reflection.

For me, the most disturbing aspect of the documentary is not seeing people plunge to their death, but the fact that so many people pass by those who are climbing over the rail to take their own life, without even raising an eyebrow or trying to help.

A very good documentary on a very widespread theme, that doesn't look to provide the answer 'why' for a change.

  20 out of 21 people found this review helpful

Read all highest rated reviews