![Los puentes de Toko-Ri [DVD] (Audio español)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HBjSprh5L._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg)
This is a review of the 2021 All Region Limited Edition Blu-ray from Imprint. It plays in the original Widescreen 1.33:1 and LPCM 2.0 Mono, but also in 1080p. The result is a very good looking film, with lovely colour, a fairly clear, clean picture and excellent sound. There are a few extras.
There are far fewer films about the Korean War than about WW2, even just the fighting in the Pacific. And films about Vietnam are both more plentiful, and generally better known. So finding a really good one, that takes a cool, hard, look, and strips out all the gung-ho razzmatazz and over-the-top political rationalisation, is rare and welcome. ‘M.A.S.H’(1970) is THE famous film, which went on to generate a much-loved and long-running TV spin-off. There are others, but this film is certainly one of the very best. It has top drawer credentials, being based on a 1953 novella by James A Michener, who had enlisted as a Naval Officer in WW2, despite being a Quaker. During the Korean War, he was an embedded reporter, serving on Naval carriers and writing about the Naval air war. He was also a Pulitzer Prize winner for his first novel, about WW2 in the Pacific.
Michener’s book, about the destruction of heavily defended bridges, also drew in part on the exploits of the first US helicopter pilot to win the Medal of Honor. It was viewed by many of the men who’d actually participated, as one of the most accurate portrayals of their experience, both in the air and on the ground. Mark Robson, the Canadian-born director, was originally an editor, assisting with ’Citizen Kane’(1941). He was not prolific as a director, but had several notable successes, including ‘Champion’(1949) and ‘Inn of the Sixth Happiness’(1958). His WW2 film ‘Von Ryan's Express’(1965), with Frank Sinatra, is a gem.
Robson had considerable co-operation from the US Navy, and filmed aboard 2 carriers, using their Grumman ‘Panthers’ and a Sikorsky ‘Dragonfly’, a very early rescue helicopter ~ this is especially fascinating. They also filmed on US bases in Japan. This co-operation allowed the most spectacular sequences of bombing raids, landing on carriers and other exciting flying scenes. Models were intercut with actual naval combat footage, to produce amazingly authentic and scary action. The result was an OSCAR for Special Effects and a nomination for Editing, both of which were well-deserved.
Mirroring Michener’s own position, and in an interesting foreshadowing of later Vietnam War films, ‘Toko-Ri’ is not unequivocally in favour of the War. It is made very clear that a small minority of American men had drawn something of a short straw, requiring them to serve, dutifully, in a nasty, dangerous action largely ignored and forgotten ~ and discounted ~ at home. There is also equivocation about it’s actual usefulness and value. William Holden, the lead character, actively questions his service. Holden is excellent, as the bright, brave but reluctant pilot, with every reason to resent his call-up. Frederic March, as the Admiral, fair-minded and committed, is also very good.
This is no flag waver, but a story of mature service and duty, and of unexpected heroes. And the action sequences are second to none. A 5 Star war film, exciting, compelling and moving.
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