War is one of the most tragic human events that can occur. The "Bridges at Toko-ri" is an illustration of such. Harry Brubaker(William Holden) was a Denver attorney who happened to be a naval combat pilot in WWII and an inactive member of the reserve. For reasons that he did not understand, he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War and assigned to flying duties aboard an aircraft carrier. This recall forced him to lose his law practice, lose his home, and be separated from his family. After several harrowing experiences, he is eventually killed in action, leaving behind a beautiful wife(Grace Kelly) and two lovely daugthers. Happily, yet sadly, he was able to see them during leave in Japan prior to embarking upon his ill-fated mission.
The title of the movie concerns this mission, a dangerous air raid against highly defended strategic bridges. After overcoming profound pre-mission anxieties, he and his fellow pilots amazingly emerge unharmed following a successful raid on the bridges. Ironically, the squadron subsequently raided a "secondary" target, where Brubaker's aircraft received a hit that caused him to lose fuel. After losing fuel too quickly to make it back to sea, he attempted and survived a dramatic crash landing in enemy territory. Eventually, he and two would-be helicopter rescuers, Mike Forney and Nestor Gamidge(portrayed by Mickey Rooney and Earl Holliman Jr.), who had successfully resuced him from a crash landing at sea earlier in the story, are killed by enemy infantry.
Our country has been served by many military reservists who can empathize with Harry Brubaker, even though they may not have been called upon to make the "ultimate" sacrifice as he was. From an entertainment perspective, there are some moments for laughter and an outstanding cast. The picture also features some superb aerial photography. Like most movies, each time I watch it, I seem to get a little more out of it. I wrote to Mr. Rooney a couple of years ago and told him that each time I watch this movie, I hoped that he and Mr. Holliman could rescue Mr. Holden again at the end. I appreciate and accept, though, that many war stories cannot have a "happy ending." It is certain that all wars have an unhappy ending for someone.
The title of the movie concerns this mission, a dangerous air raid against highly defended strategic bridges. After overcoming profound pre-mission anxieties, he and his fellow pilots amazingly emerge unharmed following a successful raid on the bridges. Ironically, the squadron subsequently raided a "secondary" target, where Brubaker's aircraft received a hit that caused him to lose fuel. After losing fuel too quickly to make it back to sea, he attempted and survived a dramatic crash landing in enemy territory. Eventually, he and two would-be helicopter rescuers, Mike Forney and Nestor Gamidge(portrayed by Mickey Rooney and Earl Holliman Jr.), who had successfully resuced him from a crash landing at sea earlier in the story, are killed by enemy infantry.
Our country has been served by many military reservists who can empathize with Harry Brubaker, even though they may not have been called upon to make the "ultimate" sacrifice as he was. From an entertainment perspective, there are some moments for laughter and an outstanding cast. The picture also features some superb aerial photography. Like most movies, each time I watch it, I seem to get a little more out of it. I wrote to Mr. Rooney a couple of years ago and told him that each time I watch this movie, I hoped that he and Mr. Holliman could rescue Mr. Holden again at the end. I appreciate and accept, though, that many war stories cannot have a "happy ending." It is certain that all wars have an unhappy ending for someone.
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