Bridges at Toko Ri, The

From Zanecorpwiki

Summary

A decent 1950's ra-ra war film. Interesting for its cultural implications with some really stunning external shots (it won a special effects Oscar) but nothing remarkable. The story and characters are rather run of the mill and single sided. It's an important film academically, but not really worth watching for its own sake.

There is a recurring commentary in the film: You fight the war because you're here. The corollary being those back home are disengaged because they're not, though that side of the coin is not the focus of the film. This is an interesting idea, but the movie doesn't explore it in any substantial sense. It's simply throw into dialog in a couple places. In one instance, it doesn't even make much sense and isn't really supported by the scene at all.

Notes and Details

Dish Network gave it four stars! My guess is that a lot of people of a certain generation have a fondness for this movie. I can completely understand that. I'm a rather sympathetic person, and I was certainly thinking how this movie would have a lon of appeal if I'd been a lad in the Korean War. Here's my buddies getting into trouble, but looking out for each other, here's my girl surprising me on leave, here's the grizzled old admiral who loves his men like his lost son.

But without that personal memory (which I can only imagine) there's not a lot here. The movie is rather flat and predictable, and there are a better specimens from the era. This is a solid two stars plus another half for the special effects and external shots, but it would be straining to call this one a three star even. Get some balls Dish Network!