THE BRIDGES AT TOKO - RI
US, 1954, 104 minutes, Colour.
William Holden, Mickey Rooney, Grace Kelly, Fredric March, Robert Strauss, Charles McGraw?, Earl Holliman.
Directed by Mark Robson.
The Bridges At Toko - Ri was a popular Korean war film of the '50s. William Holden had just won an Oscar for Stalag 17 and was at the height of his popularity. Grace Kelly won an Oscar for Country Girl this year. Fredric March was a popular character actor at this stage of his career. The human interest and morale boosting discussions about America's involvement in Korea in the situation of the cold war is highlighted. There are also some good action sequences with the bombing of the bridges.
The film is unusual in having its hero die at the end and morale points made about this death. The film was based on a story by James A. Michener, author of Hawaii, Tales Of The South Pacific, The Source and other novels. Direction is by Mark Robson, a director competent in a variety of genres from horror in the early '40s to emotional dramas in the late '40s and early '50s, the filming of popular best-sellers as Peyton Place, The Valley Of The Dolls and also of a number of action films. The film is well made and thoughtful. It echoes the questions and reflections about America's place in the world and its stance against communism.
1. The war film tradition, American supremacy, reasons for involvement in wars, overseas action, questions of morale, morale boosting, war action? The quality of this film within this context?
2. The atmosphere of the Korean war at the beginning of the '50s ? the cold war, the atmosphere after World War Two, alliance with the Japanese, hostility towards the Russians? American involvement and the questions about involvement?
3. Morale, the presentation of the men, the tribute at the beginning of the film, the views of the Admiral about World War Two. the death of his sons, his final admiration for Harry and his reflections on heroic ordinary American men? The Admiral's discussion with Nancy and his explanation of his own wife's failure to cope with deaths? Harry and his letter home to Nancy? The impact of the final speech?
4. The presentation of the action and missions, the initial mission, ditching in the sea, the details of helicopter rescue, recuperation on the ship, briefings and strategy, photographing raids, the actual bomb raids and their difficulties, crash landing, self defence? The quality of aerial photography? An understanding of war and immersion in it?
5. The presentation of the ship, the Admiral and his running of the ship, the discussion about promotions and expectations of officers, especially as regards Lee? The various exercises of leadership, from the Admiral, to the briefing officers, to Lee and his decisions?
6. The personality of the Admiral, his meeting Nancy, the story of the deaths of his own sons, his wife's collapse? His advice to Nancy? His admiration for Harry and protectiveness? His final comments?
7. The lighter side with Nestor and Mike? Their ability to save and rescue, the discussions about the girls in Japan, the long brawl, Harry getting them out of jail and paying the fine, the fight on the dock, the transfer, their deaths in the rescue of Harry? The praise of such ordinary men, the types who didn't fraternise with admirals?
8. Harry Brubaker as a type, William Holden's presence and personality? His skin in the raids, his Denver background. his wondering finally about being in a dirty ditch in Korea? The meeting with Nancy, leaving for Mike? The discussion in bed about the bridges and the importance of saying this and Nancy hearing it? The humorous sequence in the Japanese baths? The friendship with the Japanese family? Nerves and going to the edge of the ship for getting the spray in his face? His achievement in the raid? Skill in landing, his death? The film's comment by having the hero die? Nancy and Grace Kelly's presence? The discussion with the Admiral, voicing the feelings of the American wives, the discussion with her husband and knowing the truth? The farewell?
9. The war atmosphere, life on the ship, the work on the ship. Beer Barrel and his comic tones, skills, the crash landing on the deck?
10. The missions and their importance for the fighting of the war? Fight and survival? A war film of its time? Echoing the questions of the '50s ?their relevance in later decades, especially about Americans at war in Asia?
