The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)

A good study of war's effects on men asked to make sacrifices for questionable objectives, a common theme in films about the Korean War. Lt. Harry Brubaker is a family man called back to active duty . He feels he has already done enough for his country in WW II and resents the Korean War's intrusion on his successful law practice and his life with his wife and children. Still a military man, however, Brubaker heeds the requests of Admiral Tarrant and doggedly goes about his duty as a pilot, spending long idle stretches aboard an aircraft carrier. The narrative drives toward the climactic bombing of the five bridges at Toko-Ri, which span a strategic pass in Korea's interior. Along the way Brubaker and his wife share some effective and intimate scenes together, and several enjoyable lighter moments occur in buddy scenes with fellow helicopter pilots Mike Forney and Nestor Gamidge. But in the final attack on the bridges Brubaker's plane is damaged and he crash lands in North Korea. Forney arrives to rescue him, but North Korean soldiers destroy the helicopter and leave Brubaker and Forney dead in a muddy drainage ditch. Based on a novella by James Michener, this exciting and thoughtful film features excellent acting all around and is visually quite compelling thanks to Oscar-winning special effects in the aerial scenes.

Performer, Character

William Holden, Lt. Harry Brubaker, USNR

Fredric March, Rear Adm. George Tarrant

Grace Kelly, Nancy Brubaker

Mickey Rooney, Mike Forney

Robert Strauss, Beer Barrel

Charles McGraw, Cmdr. Wayne Lee

Nestor Gamidge, Richard Shannon

Production Credits

Producer, William Perlberg

Director, Mark Robson

Screenwriter, Valentine Davies based on a novella by James Michener

Editor, Alma Macrorie