Sean Connery and Michael Caine co-starred inA Bridge Too Far, a massively underrated war epic that received mixed reviews from critics on its initial release, but deserves a lot more love.Connery is best known for playing James Bondin six official movies (and one unofficial one), but he was a screen legend outside his connection to the role of 007. He starred in a wide range of movies, from the psychological thrillerMarnieto the Agatha Christie whodunitMurder on the Orient Express. He worked with such legendary directors as Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Lumet, and John Huston.
These days, Caine is perhaps best known for his collaborations with Christopher Nolan, having played Alfred Pennyworth inThe Dark Knighttrilogy and Professor John Brand inInterstellar.Caine played his own iconic spy character, Harry Palmer, across five movies, and starred in such classics asGet Carter,The Italian Job, andHannah and Her Sisters, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1977, Connery and Caine both appeared in an epic war movie that deserved much better reviews.
Sean Connery & Michael Caine Have A History Of Great WW2 Movies
Connery Starred In The Longest Day; Caine Starred In Battle Of Britain
Before sharing the screen in a war epic, Connery and Caine each had their own separate history of starring in World War II movies.Connery appeared in a wide variety of films set during the Second World War, from the draft-dodging comedyOn the Fiddleto the romantic melodramaAnother Time, Another Place. Arguably his most iconic World War II role was inthe sprawling all-star ensemble ofThe Longest Dayalongside John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Robert Mitchum. EvenIndiana Jones and the Last Crusadetakes place on the precipice of WWII.
Sean Connery and Michael Caine co-starred inThe Man Who Would Be Kingin 1975.
Caine’s most famous World War II movie isBattle of Britain, in which he plays Squadron Leader Canfield.Nolan’sDunkirkincluded a nod to this role by giving Caine a voice cameo as an RAF fighter pilotover the radio. Caine also starred as a veteran of the D-Day landings inThe Great Escaper, telling the true story of Bernard Jordan, who broke out of his retirement home to attend the 70th-anniversary D-Day commemorations in France. These actors have explored World War II from every possible angle.
A Bridge Too Far Deserves To Be Better Remembered Among Connery & Caine’s War Movies
It’s Not Their Best War Movie, But It’s Still Great
Connery and Caine finally co-starred in a WWII movie when they madeA Bridge Too Farin 1977, whichchronicles Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied operation in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands.A Bridge Too Farwas released to tepid reviews, but it deserves a lot more love. It’s not quite as great asThe Longest DayorBattle of Britain, but it’s still an excellent war epic. Its runtime is a little bloated, but thetop-tier acting and direction by Richard AttenboroughkeepA Bridge Too Farconsistently engaging.
A Bridge Too Far
Cast
A Bridge Too Far is a 1977 war film directed by Richard Attenborough that chronicles the failed World War II operation, Market Garden, a massive Allied attempt to capture key bridges in the Netherlands. Featuring an ensemble cast including Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Anthony Hopkins, the film explores the intense battles and strategic mishaps that resulted in one of the war’s most significant setbacks.
