BLReed
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1,676
The Bridge was the first major antiwar film to come out of Germany after World War II, as well as the nation’s first postwar
film to be widely shown internationally. Set near the end of the conflict, it follows a group of teenage boys in a small town as they
contend with everyday matters like school, girls, and parents, before enlisting as soldiers and being forced to defend their home
turf in a confused, terrifying battle. The boys are 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" Nazi ideology, stay to defend the useless bridge.
This expressively shot, emotionally bruising drama dared to humanize young German soldiers at a historically tender moment, and
proved influential for the coming generation of New German Cinema auteurs.
The Bridge won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in the US, and it secured an Academy Award Nomination
in the same category
film to be widely shown internationally. Set near the end of the conflict, it follows a group of teenage boys in a small town as they
contend with everyday matters like school, girls, and parents, before enlisting as soldiers and being forced to defend their home
turf in a confused, terrifying battle. The boys are 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" Nazi ideology, stay to defend the useless bridge.
This expressively shot, emotionally bruising drama dared to humanize young German soldiers at a historically tender moment, and
proved influential for the coming generation of New German Cinema auteurs.
The Bridge won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in the US, and it secured an Academy Award Nomination
in the same category