A Bridge too Far

**Azanti** · 17-10-09 09:54 PM

The pre-sales for release in Europe recovered the budget before the shoot was even completed. So despite rumours to the contary it did rather well.

**Harleybloke** · 22-10-09 08:05 AM

Mrs.H. booked me a suprise week away in Arnhem a year or so back. She knew I love the film and wanted to visit. The film was shot nearby not in Arnhem but we visited all the key sites. At Oosterbeek we spoke to an elderly Dutchman, who not suprisingly, spoke very good English and had known Kate Ter Horst.

He pointed out her house, next to the church and told us to ignore the post war 'add ons'. He showed us the meadow behind the church where in '46 or '47, Kate's son was killed while out playing. He stood on a land mine. Kate died as a result of a car accident. She was crossing the road to her house when an off duty policeman knocked her down. The Dutch chap claimed he was drunk but being a policeman, wasn't taken to court for 'lack of evidence'................

Sad state of affairs for such a brave lady.

**Steve Crook** · 22-10-09 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Harleybloke

Mrs.H. booked me a suprise week away in Arnhem a year or so back. She knew I love the film and wanted to visit. The film was shot nearby not in Arnhem but we visited all the key sites. At Oosterbeek we spoke to an elderly Dutchman, who not suprisingly, spoke very good English and had known Kate Ter Horst.

He pointed out her house, next to the church and told us to ignore the post war 'add ons'. He showed us the meadow behind the church where in '46 or '47, Kate's son was killed while out playing. He stood on a land mine. Kate died as a result of a car accident. She was crossing the road to her house when an off duty policeman knocked her down. The Dutch chap claimed he was drunk but being a policeman, wasn't taken to court for 'lack of evidence'................

Sad state of affairs for such a brave lady.

It was sad, some of the things that happened to Kate. She deserved better luck than that. Her husband lived until he was 98 (2003) and I think that the other children are still alive. One of the daughters was living in her old house.

Kate wrote a book "Cloud Over Arnhem" and AIUI she appeared in Theirs is the Glory (1946) (aka Men of Arnhem)

Two things to do in that area.

Walk from the drop zones to the west of Oosterbeek, near Wolfheeze, into Arnhem - and then tried to imagine doing it heavily laden and under fire.

Second, have a look at the river by Oosterbeek and imagine trying to swim it or even to try to cross it in a small boat under fire.

Steve

**Harleybloke** · 22-10-09 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Crook

It was sad, some of the things that happened to Kate. She deserved better luck than that. Her husband lived until he was 98 (2003) and I think that the other children are still alive. One of the daughters was living in her old house.

Kate wrote a book "Cloud Over Arnhem" and AIUI she appeared in Theirs is the Glory (1946) (aka Men of Arnhem)

Two things to do in that area.

Walk from the drop zones to the west of Oosterbeek, near Wolfheeze, into Arnhem - and then tried to imagine doing it heavily laden and under fire.

Second, have a look at the river by Oosterbeek and imagine trying to swim it or even to try to cross it in a small boat under fire.

Steve

Mrs.H. booked us into a wonderful hotel over looking the Rhine. I just stood on the balcony watching the current....................awesome feat!!

**Azanti** · 15-11-09 02:13 PM

I think a movie about Kate Ter Host should be made one day, she certainly had a life full of tragic occurences but was clearly a remarkable woman.

**wearysloth** · 16-11-09 05:30 AM

Always thought Alun Armstrong and his chicken was worth the price of admission.

**Azanti** · 21-11-09 03:00 AM

Yeah there are a few big name British Actors in there early in their careers, including Ben Cross and Paul Copley.

The story of the para jumping with a chicken was true, they ate it when it was killed by some artillery.

**puptent** · 21-11-09 11:34 PM

Where does Ben Cross appear in the film? Was he one of the paratroopers sent to hold the bridge? Must have had my blinkers on, as I just saw it a few days ago.

**Azanti** · 22-11-09 03:43 AM

yeah he appears very briefly, he was essentially an extra, you can see him if the scene where everyone is walking to the Bridge and the Dutch are celebrating. He is also in lots of other scenes but its hard to spot him.

**markrgv** · 27-12-11 09:57 AM

I was watching A Bridge Too Far again over the holiday - and what an epic film it is (and with no CGI) unlike most modern epics.
Does anyone know the airfield used in the early sequences? I tried to find out - and can find everything except that!

Also, i know there are some military experts on here - does anyone know the real airfields that the 4 different divisions (British 1st Airborne, US 82nd, US 101st, Polish Airborne) departed from on their missions?