The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)

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 gung-ho bluster to focus instead on the very real and tragic consequences of war. This is also one of the first films to openly criticize the morality of the Korean War while praising the honor and integrity of the men who fought it. Lt. Harry Brubaker (William Holden) is one of those men, with one difference: A lawyer with a loving wife (Grace Kelly) and two young daughters, he's been recalled to duty from the Navy Reserve, and reluctantly accepts 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), his admiring admiral (Frederic March), and from the helicopter scouts (Mickey Rooney and Earl Holliman) who've saved his life on 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 Naval operations; the aerial sequences earned an Oscar for special effects, and complete Navy cooperation assures total authenticity in the "flat-top" aircraft carrier scenes. For these and other reasons, this will remain a timeless classic for anyone seeking to comprehend the emotional maelstrom of warfare. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com Review

The Best

Have you ever wanted to know what it was like to fly F9F-5 Panther jets off the USS Oriskany during the Korean War?
According to the only Navy Medal Of Honor Winner in the Korean War, Thomas J. Hudner Jr.(referring to the Paramount movie): "It was exactly like that."
Once you get over the obligatory pot-boiler romance/leaving two beautiful little girls behind/ between Grace Kelly and William Holden, the absolutely authentic carrier-jet sequences are both thrilling and REAL.
The movie was filmed during the USS Oriskany's Sept. 1953 cruise and featured flying scenes and close-ups of William Holden wearing the authentic leather flight jacket with patches from VF 192 "THE GOLDEN DRAGONS" as well as the unit patch from Carrier Air Group-19.
It depicted the actual Korean War action known as the "Cherokee Strikes" during 1951 against North Korean Rail bridges albeit flown with AD Skyraiders.
Jet Jockey's would have been using F3-H Banshees at the time.
Interestingly enough, the jet that carried "BRUBAKER's" name and "209", kept that same paint-job for the rest of the cruise.
This is one of the only movies where (HORRORS) the "good-guys" die. YEP, IT HAPPENS. Given the anti-Communist feelings in the USA at the time, the tragic outcome is amazingly close to the James Michener novel and retained
in the final cut.
Enjoy the flic, even though it could benefit from today's "high-def treatments."
The flying/landing/take-off/landing sequences of the beautiful F9F-5 Panther Jet are MORE than worth the price of the movie. The special effects are absolutely spectacular. Amazing during this time-period!
Want to see more?
Get ahold of a copy of "Men Of The Fighting Lady" also by Michener.
It will be a real eye-opener for those even remotely interested in the Korean War and a couple of hours enjoyment from one of America's finest authors put to screen.
May 18, 2008

The Bridges at Toko-Ri

I was really excited when I saw this movie on the shelf at the library. It was one of the few Grace Kelly movies I had not seen. I was not prepared for the ending though - It was very disappointing and extremely sad.
William Holden is Henry Brubaker, a naval reserve, sent on an assignment to destroy the bridges of Toko-Ri during the Korean War. Before he goes off on the assignment, he meets his wife, Nancy (Grace Kelly) and his two little girls at Tokyo. Grace Kelly is beautiful as usual, and William Holden is great at his part. Mickey Rooney also stars as Brubaker's friend. This is a good movie except for the ending. March 20, 2008

Great War Movie

It's a solid war movie, with bombs, jets, aircraft carriers, M1 carbines, fist fights, helicopters, machine guns and Grace Kelly as the woman. January 24, 2008

'Where do we find such men'?

I first saw this film shortly after being released in the 1950's. I remember that one of our local movie theaters had a huge bill-board on it's face advertising the movie. Back then as a 'kid', mostly the aerial sequences, and not the 'family tensions' that evolved in the movie captured my attention. Years later, as an adult, the picture took on another meaning, and that 'meaning' is still a force today with our military involved in far-away places, much like Korea was almost 60 years ago. The story is plausible and current: just as during the Korean 'conflict', today, vet's have been called up, and even 're-re-called' to serve. Anyway, back to the movie: William Holden (Brubaker) had been 'called up' after serving during WWII. He is bitter, as he not only has a wife with children, but an established legal career. He 'does his job' as a Naval pilot, and in the end, pays the 'ultimate price' for his efforts. The supporting cast (Grace Kelly, Mickey Rooney, and Fredric March) do a pretty good job, especially March. One of the negative points about the movie: Mickey Rooney, altho doing a very creditable job in the flick, would have never made it as a pilot of ANY aircraft in the service, because of his height. But, then again, Hollywood has been known to take a lot of 'artistic liberties' over the years. Bottom line; this movie is, in a lot of ways, recent and current events. And it couldn't have been said better than Fredric March did at the end: 'Where do we find such men?). January 4, 2008

Classic war movie, unexpected ending

My 6th grader needed to read a historical fiction book for class. I had a copy of Bridges at Toko-Ri and he enjoyed the story. Purchased the DVD to give a "visual" to the print format. DVD was excellent video quality and special effects were quite good for the early 1950's. December 21, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...