The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)

The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954) (DVD) (*)

$20.99

Screened, competed or awarded at:
Oscar Academy Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Italian ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Italian ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Italy ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
99 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Remastered

Movie filmed in 1954 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Mark Robson

Written By:
Valentine Davies
James Michener

Actors:
William Holden ..... Lt. Harry Brubaker
Grace Kelly ..... Nancy Brubaker
Fredric March ..... Rear Adm. George Tarrant
Mickey Rooney ..... Mike Forney
Robert Strauss ..... Beer Barrel
Charles McGraw ..... Cmdr. Wayne Lee
Keiko Awaji ..... Kimiko
Earl Holliman ..... Nestor Gamidge
Richard Shannon ..... Lt. (j.g.) Olds
Willis Bouchey ..... Capt. Evans
Keith Aldrich ..... Pilot (uncredited)
Corey Allen ..... Enlisted Man (uncredited)
Bill Ash ..... Spotter (uncredited)
Nadine Ashdown ..... Cathy Brubaker (uncredited)
Marshall U. Beebe ..... Pilot (uncredited)
Ray Boyle ..... Marine Orderly (uncredited)
Cheryl Callaway ..... Susie Brubaker (uncredited)
Steven Clark ..... Pilot (uncredited)
James Connell ..... Assistant L.S.O. (uncredited)
Jim Cronin ..... Talker (uncredited)
Gene Hardy ..... Chief Petty Officer Second Class (uncredited)
James Hyland ..... Officer of the Day (uncredited)
James Jenkins ..... Assistant C.I.C. Officer (uncredited)
Dickie Jones ..... Pilot (uncredited)
Bob Kenaston ..... Pilot (uncredited)
Robert Kino ..... Bartender (uncredited)
Paul Kruger ..... Capt. Parker (uncredited)
Burt Metcalfe ..... Military Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Lee Miller ..... Officer Seated at Club (uncredited)
Rollin Moriyama ..... Bellhop (uncredited)
Dick Morris ..... Pilot (uncredited)
Leo Needham ..... Pilot (uncredited)
Roger Pace ..... Pilot (uncredited)
Paul Raymond ..... Spotter (uncredited)
Gene Reynolds ..... C.I.C. Officer (uncredited)
Jack Roberts ..... Quartermaster (uncredited)
Robert A. Sherry ..... Flight Surgeon (uncredited)
Teru Shimada ..... Japanese Father (uncredited)
Charles Tannen ..... Military Police Major (uncredited)
Bob Templeton ..... Military Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Dennis Weaver ..... Air Intelligence Officer (uncredited)

Synopsis:

A powerful study of courage in the face of irrational odds, The Bridges at Toko-Ri (based on James Michener's novel) is no less patriotic than many other war films, but it dispenses with the gung-ho bluster to focus on the very real and tragic consequences of war. This is also one of the first films to openly criticise the morality of the Korean War while praising the honour and integrity of the men who fought it. Lt Harry Brubaker (William Holden) is one of those men: a lawyer with a loving wife (Grace Kelly) and two young daughters, who is recalled to duty from the Navy Reserve, his mission; to fly with a bomber jet squadron over one of the Communists' most heavily protected targets, the strategically vital bridges in the Korean canyon of Toko-Ri. Brubaker has his own noble protection from his fellow pilots (including Charles McGraw in a fine supporting role), admiring admiral (Frederic March), and from the helicopter scouts (Mickey Rooney, Earl Holliman) who saved his life on a previous missions. But his ambivalence--and his fear that the Toko-Ri mission will be his last--is what gives the film its potent emotional impact. Holden is perfect in his role, and director Mark Robson steadfastly avoids any false sentiment or macho theatrics that would diminish the film's devastating climax. The Bridges at Toko-Ri is also a superlative showcase for the naval operations; the aerial sequences earned an Oscar for special effects and the Navy's cooperation assures total authenticity in the "flat-top" aircraft carrier scenes.

Based on the novel by James Michener, this film stars William Holden as Harry Brubaker, a former military pilot who served in World War II. When he's called back into duty during the Korean conflict, Brubaker is angry, believing he's already served his country and needs to devote himself to his wife Nancy (Grace Kelly) and their children. However, he accepts his commission and is sent back into action as a pilot, with a special assignment to blow up five strategically crucial bridges in Korean territory. This drama, which focuses on the danger and futility of war, also features Frederic March as an admiral who respects the tremendous danger of Brubaker's assignment, and Mickey Rooney as an ill-fated helicopter pilot.

Not every pilot can guide his aircraft from a wave-tossed deck, seek out targets over unfamiliar Korean terrain, then return to what looks like a speck in the sea. Naval Reservist Harry Brubaker (William Holden) can. This masterful story of a war-weary World War II veteran who must leave his family to fight again combines moving drama with surefire, bombs-away aerial action. Also starring Grace Kelly as his loving, luminescent wife.

This product was added to our catalog on Saturday 04 January, 2020.