Die Brücken von Toko-Ri

This is an exceptional picture, which clearly depicts the personal difficulties, particularly which Fighter Pilots must endure in times of combat. Mr Holden and Grace Kelly give fine portrayals of the young married couple, who must overcome the obstacles of a dangerous mission--A certain bombing Raid ( mentioned in the title) As the left behind wife, Kelly does a wonderful job, showing empathy for her husband, concern for herself, etc, and Holden is equally compelling as a troubled aviator in a difficult situation--All in all a fine Movie--good performances all around. T(W) G.

I saw this film when first released as a 15 year old teenager and was impressed by James A Michenor's ability to get across the futility of the Korean conflict. William Holden as the embittered "why me again" pilot used his considerable acting skills to get the message across. I thought Frederic March & Mickey Rooney were very effective in their roles as well. The courage of of the military who risk their lives to maintain our freedom of speech and action is well amplified in this film. The flying scenes were also brilliantly portrayed with great skill by the camera men. Unfortunately they do not make films like this anymore

The mission is clear and straight: to destroy completely the vital Korean bridges at Toko-Ri in order to frustrate enemy actions...

The film is a competent work and meritorious tribute to the heroism of the Jet-Bomber pilots (William Holden and Charles McGraw) and the extreme courage of the helicopter rescue service (Mickey Rooney and Earl Holliman).

'Where do we get such men,' affirms Rear Admiral George Tarran from the bridge of the aircraft carrier, and he was right!

The film exposes a close observation of the men's minds, their attitudes, their families, the tragedy of war, and the fascinating danger of the Jet-Bombers take-off and landing...

Charles G. Clarke's aerial photography in color of the Jet planes is simply spectacular...

Fredric March as the Admiral is staunch and human, and William Holden perfect as the American soldier fighting man... Grace Kelly flourished with her beauty the splendor of the picture...

Based on James E. Michener's novel, this ambitious action thriller is a cut above the usual war tragedy with impressive statements to make about war, death and politics...

A couple of years before he made film history with "The Bridge On The River Kwai" William Holden starred in this rather little known Korean War drama, one of the first to be released shortly after the war. Not too many films about the Korean War get made and this is one of the best of a very few. Holden portrays a lawyer who is ordered by the Navy to do his part for the war in bombing missions. A better known cast including Grace Kelly, Fredric March, Mickey Rooney and Earl Holliman costars with Holden (besides Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins and Sessue Hayakawa, Holden's supporting cast in "The Bridge On The River Kwai" were mostly unknowns) so it's good for big star watchers and it's an overall great film but it won't reach the heights of Holden's later "Bridge" film.

The Korean War is the setting for `The Bridges At Toko-Ri,' a story of individual sacrifice and the high cost of freedom, from director Mark Robson. Navy fighter-pilot Harry Brubaker (William Holden), a veteran of World War II, is called to serve again when the conflict in Korea escalates, which takes him away from his wife, Nancy (Grace Kelly), two young children and a successful law practice. When his plane goes down after a mission, into the sea just short of the carrier, he survives; but he bitterly questions the fairness of what he has been asked to do, while everyone back home is able to go on with the routine of their lives, uninterrupted. Rear Admiral George Tarrant (Fredric March), a man who has had his own share of personal tragedy (he looks upon Brubaker as the son he has lost to the war, himself), tells Brubaker it's a matter of distance; we do this because we're here; back home they're only doing just as you would be doing if you were there. When Brubaker is granted shore leave, strings are pulled, and arrangements are made for Nancy and the children to join him; a brief respite, after which he must return to face his most formidable challenge yet, flying against the bridges that span the canyons at Toko-Ri. Very probably a suicide mission, it is nevertheless believed that knocking out these particular bridges could bring about a turning point in the war, and Lieutenant Brubaker is called upon once again to play a pivotal roll in deciding the outcome. An excellent supporting cast ably brings to life the characters that infuse this drama with humanity. Mickey Rooney is unforgettable as Mike Forney, the fighting, Irish helicopter pilot who fishes Brubaker out of the sea when his plane crashes. Memorable as well are Earl Holliman (Nestor Gamidge, Forney's partner), Robert Strauss (Beer Barrel), Charles McGraw (Commander Wayne Lee), Keiko Awaji (Kimiko) and Willis bouchey (Captain Evans). An excellent precursor to the more recent `Saving Private Ryan,' and `U-571,' `The Bridges At Toko-Ri' is an intimate study of individual courage and responsibility, and of the moral fortitude of which man is capable in times of crisis. There is a finality to the climax of this film that underscores the intense personal aspects of the larger conflict, and of the price demanded by certain individuals chosen to fulfill a seemingly random destiny. At the end of the movie, Admiral Tarrant sums it up succinctly when he ponders aloud: `Where do we get such men?' To which we can only answer: Where, indeed. I rate this one 9/10.