A Bridge Too Far 4K 1977

A milestone picture in the genre of war epic, created as a coproduction of two English-speaking countries, being still more British work, and marking the return of 'Big Style' in English cinema. Richard Attenborough proved to be David Lean's 'direct heir', as he successfully took up filming historical 'canvases'.

Visually impeccably made movie, especially striking, the detailed scene of landing and landing of the Allied troops. The stunning work of cameraman Jeffrey Unsworth, who used the technique of filming, as if from the 'first person'. And the majestic flight of the military squadron, 'overpowered' after a couple of years, only Coppola. Well and soaring in the sky parachutists, like hundreds of snowflakes - aesthetic picture.

Of course, the mood of the action is strongly set by the gorgeous music of John Addison, which stays playing in your head and after the final credits.

How not to note the brilliant acting ensemble (if not the best in the history of cinema, then the most titled exactly - 8 'Oscars' and 29 nominations for the main prize of the American Academy Award for the whole 'team'), the 'elite of the world screen' of the 60-70's. At the same time, no one is 'pulling the blanket', Attenborough favorably allocated screen time to everyone, everyone complements each other, trying not to overshadow their own charisma partner.

Most of the movie is episodes of battles, and a rare enough example, in the battle movie - battles in the streets of the city. The fight for every piece of territory - every neighborhood, every house - is shown. Breaking the action into parallel storylines, the director skillfully weaves all their 'ends' into a single 'tangle' of narrative.

The British, as always, are shown as proud pedants, while the Americans, in contrast to them, are too reckless and self-confident. But their generals - infected with paranoia from mutual (with the German side) disinformation, consumed by their own ambitions, and not believing in the obvious, send their subordinates to a knowingly losing operation.

Of course, this is a movie about defeat... By the way, it overlaps with another famous war movie - 'Attack of the Light Cavalry'. Both of them demonstrate the obvious idea that the bravura of other soldiers living the historical victories of the past has nothing to do with the modern course of all new wars....

Also obvious reasons why the American film academicians bypassed nominations for the 'Oscar' this tape. Too deep wounds left, not so long ago ended (at that time it was only four years after the withdrawal of troops), the 'Vietnam campaign', and defeatism hurt twice. The British Academy nominated the movie for seven awards, three of which it won.