A Bridge Too Far (1977)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A sprawling war epic depicts the high-stakes failure of Operation Market Garden during World War II.
The story
In September 1944, following the Battle of Normandy, Allied forces launch Operation Market Garden. The plan involves landing 35,000 paratroopers and glider men behind enemy lines in the Netherlands to seize a series of bridges and reach the Rhine River. The operation relies on a narrow, exposed road to move forces toward Arnhem. While the airborne drops initially succeed, the situation becomes precarious as the British and American divisions face unexpected resistance and logistical hurdles, including destroyed bridges and malfunctioning equipment, as they attempt to secure the corridor and link up with their allies.
- First release year
- 1977
- Runtime (minutes)
- 176
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English; German; Dutch
- Directors
- Richard Attenborough
- Writers
- William Goldman · screenplay
- Genres
- war; drama
- Themes
- War; Military Strategy; Sacrifice
- Tone and mood
- Epic; Somber
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical Fiction; War Epic
- Source material / true-story basis
- A book of the same title by historian Cornelius Ryan.
- Content notes
- War Violence
- Reception
- The film received a tepid critical response, with critics divided on its length and pacing, though it was noted for its high production value and strong performances.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 61% · scale: percentage · review count: 33; Metacritic · score: 63 · scale: 100 · review count: 13
- Awards and nominations
- Best Supporting Actor · BAFTA Awards · 31st · Won; Best Score · BAFTA Awards · 31st · Won; Best Direction · BAFTA Awards · 31st · Nominated; Best Motion Picture · BAFTA Awards · 31st · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was the second based on a book by Cornelius Ryan.; The film was the second based on the events of Operation Market Garden.; The film was a success at the box office, becoming the sixth-most popular movie of 1977.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…