The Bridge (1959)

8.0Not Rated103 minDirector: Bernhard Wicki

1959 film

Die Brücke (German pronunciation: [diː ˈbʁʏkə] , "The Bridge") is a 1959 West German anti-war film directed by Austrian filmmaker Bernhard Wicki. It is based on the 1958 novel of the same name by journalist and writer Gregor Dorfmeister (published under the pseudonym Manfred Gregor). The story was based on an actual event, upon the personal report of a surviving veteran who in his own youth experienced a similar situation in World War II.

The film was timely in West Germany as the Bundeswehr had only recently been created in 1955 with conscription in Germany beginning in 1956. It received several international prizes, notably the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the National Board of Review Award for Best Foreign Language Film, also a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Bridge about?
The Bridge (1959) — A group of German boys is ordered to protect a small bridge in their home village during the waning months of the second world war. Truckloads of defeated, cynical Wehrmacht soldiers flee the approaching American troops, but the boys, full of enthusiasm for the "blood and honor"
Is The Bridge based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Bridge scary?
Content rating: Not Rated. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.