Released in 1959, Bernhard Wicki’s The Bridge is considered the first anti-war film to come out of Germany. The movie opened to critical acclaim, winning the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and receiving an Academy Award in the same category. While the success of The Bridge helped usher in New German Cinema, Wicki’s film doesn’t get talked about that much today. Hopefully, Criterion’s recent Blu-ray release will reignite interest in The Bridge. Based on real events, it’s an emotionally powerful film that will stay with you.

Set in a small German town during the final days of World War II, seven teenage boys are too busy living their lives to pay much attention to the war currently tearing their country apart. They fall in love with girls, they argue with their parents—they do things teenage boys do. While it’s all well captured, the first forty-five minutes are a bit mundane, even boring. However, the dullness is purposeful, serving as a natural and shuddering contrast to the scenes of wartime brutality that follow.

In school, the boys had happily bought in to the propaganda delivered by their teacher: the war is a noble one, and the cause is freedom. Victory is the possibility, and no death is in vain. Initially, the boys are excited to be drafted, but once they’re faced with the reality of war, their opinions begin to change. Realizing that the boys would never survive a real battle, a veteran officer arranges for them to be left behind to secure a tiny but vital bridge on the outskirts of the town. It’s expected that the boys will guard the bridge, help blow it up the next day, and return safely to the base. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned and tragedy strikes.

Filmed in stark black and white, The Bridge is a story about young men who aren’t quite yet adults, drafted to fight in a useless battle at the end of World War II. No matter what side of the war these ‘soldiers’ are on, they’re essentially kids, and that’s a tough pill to swallow. Watching life snuffed out of young, clueless men who are barely eighteen is painful. Bernhard Wicki’s roaming filming style adds an additional level authenticity to the film. Wicki just allows things to happen, and nothing seems forced.

It is a credit to the young actors that they convey their emotions so realistically. There are times when the boys look understandably intimidated next to the experienced soldiers, and petrified when they come face to face with death.

Criterion’s 2K restoration offers a tremendous 1080p, 1.37:1 transfer offers a wonderful level of detail, making the most of Gerd von Bonin’s beautiful cinematography. Depth is stunning throughout, and there is a moderate but pleasing level of grain. There are almost no scratches or damage present. Criterion has done another great job here.

The LPCM 1.0 Mono track is excellent, offering up a crisp, clean sound during both the dialogue driven scenes, and the louder war scenes. Any age related imperfections have been removed, and digital distortions are non-existent.

English subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • Gregor Dorfmeister (HD, 22:41) In this new interview with the author of the book that The Bridge is based on, Dorfmeister recalls the events that are chronicled in his novel, his membership in the Hitler Youth, conditions in Germany after Hitler came to power, and more.
  • Bernhard Wicki (HD, 14:36) An excerpt from an interview from a 1989 episode of the German television show Das Sonntagsgesprach (Sunday Talk) in which director Bernhard Wicki discusses the shooting of The Bridge, his time in a concentration camp during World War II, and more.
  • Volkner Schlödorff (HD, 9:52) In this new interview the director discusses the impact of The Bridge on German cinema.
  • Against the Grain: The Film Legend of Bernhard Wicki (HD, 9:04) In this excerpt from the 2007 documentary Against the Grain: The Film Legend of Bernhard Wicki, his widow Elizabeth discusses The Bridge.
  • Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet featuring film critic Terrence Rafferty’s essay “Cannon Fodder.”