A Bridge Too Far: Attenborough's Epic Gamble (and Did it Pay Off?)

Okay, so I finally got around to watching A Bridge Too Far. I've been on a Richard Attenborough kick lately (partially because of my deep dive into Anthony Hopkins' work and their connection). This one’s been on my list forever, mostly because of the sheer scale and the crazy cast – Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins, Robert Redford… it's basically a movie star convention disguised as a war film. The scope of the film is astounding. Attenborough really tries to give you a sense of the chaos and the logistical nightmare that was Operation Market Garden. The paratrooper landings are some of the most impressive I've seen. That shot of Redford's character leading the assault across the bridge at Nijmegen? Iconic. And the quieter moments, like Hopkins' Lieutenant Colonel John Frost holding out in Arnhem, are where the movie really shines for me. You really feel the desperation and the futility. But honestly, it also felt a little...bloated? Maybe it's just the length (nearly 3 hours!), but there were moments where I felt like the sheer number of characters diluted the impact. Like, Connery is fine, but he felt kind of...there? Also, I kind of wish they had explored the Dutch civilian experience a little more. It felt like they were mostly just scenery, and they were the ones really caught in the crossfire. Still, it's technically impressive and definitely gives you a big picture view of a really disastrous, yet intriguing, moment in WW2. All in all, I'd say it’s worth checking out if you’re an Attenborough completist (like me!) or just want to see a big, sprawling war epic. I don't know if I would rewatch it any time soon though, which docking it a few points. What did everyone else think? Too long? Perfect length? Let me know!