The Bridges at Toko-Ri

Even though the movie is a fictional account, the situation and events were real. Having just fought in and won the Second World War, American troops were called up shortly after to fight again. This time Communist aggresson.

EXCELLENT DEPICTION OF CARRIRE ACTION IN KOREAN WAR AND PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE THAT IS TRUE TO LIFE , I WAS THERE

The Bridges at Toko-ri, based on the novel by James Michener, is the story of a reserve naval aviator, Harry Brubaker (William Holden), a World War II veteran, who gets re-activated during the Korean War. He is bitter about being torn from his wife (Grace Kelly), 2 young daughters, and his law practice and sent to fight in a war about which he feels ambivalent. In the end he does his job well but pays with his life during a difficult mission to destroy 3 bridges. The cast is first rate with fine supporting work by Frederic March (Rear Adm. George Tarrant) and Mickey Rooney (Mike Forney), a rescue helicopter pilot. The action and flying sequences are exciting, including a ditching at sea, rescue of the downed pilot (Holden), and the attack on the bridges. This is one of the best movies about the Korean War.

Have you ever wanted to know what it was like to fly F9F-5 Panther jets off the USS Oriskany during the Korean War?
According to the only Navy Medal Of Honor Winner in the Korean War, Thomas J. Hudner Jr.(referring to the Paramount movie): "It was exactly like that."
Once you get over the obligatory pot-boiler romance/leaving two beautiful little girls behind/ between Grace Kelly and William Holden, the absolutely authentic carrier-jet sequences are both thrilling and REAL.
The movie was filmed during the USS Oriskany's Sept. 1953 cruise and featured flying scenes and close-ups of William Holden wearing the authentic leather flight jacket with patches from VF 192 "THE GOLDEN DRAGONS" as well as the unit patch from Carrier Air Group-19.
It depicted the actual Korean War action known as the "Cherokee Strikes" during 1951 against North Korean Rail bridges albeit flown with AD Skyraiders.
Jet Jockey's would have been using F3-H Banshees at the time.
Interestingly enough, the jet that carried "BRUBAKER's" name and "209", kept that same paint-job for the rest of the cruise.
This is one of the only movies where (HORRORS) the "good-guys" die. YEP, IT HAPPENS. Given the anti-Communist feelings in the USA at the time, the tragic outcome is amazingly close to the James Michener novel and retained
in the final cut.
Enjoy the flic, even though it could benefit from today's "high-def treatments."
The flying/landing/take-off/landing sequences of the beautiful F9F-5 Panther Jet are MORE than worth the price of the movie. The special effects are absolutely spectacular. Amazing during this time-period!
Want to see more?
Get ahold of a copy of "Men Of The Fighting Lady" also by Michener.
It will be a real eye-opener for those even remotely interested in the Korean War and a couple of hours enjoyment from one of America's finest authors put to screen.

I was really excited when I saw this movie on the shelf at the library. It was one of the few Grace Kelly movies I had not seen. I was not prepared for the ending though - It was very disappointing and extremely sad.
William Holden is Henry Brubaker, a naval reserve, sent on an assignment to destroy the bridges of Toko-Ri during the Korean War. Before he goes off on the assignment, he meets his wife, Nancy (Grace Kelly) and his two little girls at Tokyo. Grace Kelly is beautiful as usual, and William Holden is great at his part. Mickey Rooney also stars as Brubaker's friend. This is a good movie except for the ending.