Classic of German cinema, The bridge, broadcast this Monday, May 8, 2023 at 8:50 p.m., follows the fate of young boys at the end of the Second World War. But do you know the amazing true story behind this film? Télé-Loisirs tells you.
History is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for cinema. A genre in its own right of the seventh art, war has been the subject of many feature films. In this large family, the backdrop of World War II has spawned many very great films. Hollywood has obviously often tried it. The classics The longest day (1962), The great Escape (1963), or even A bridge too far (1977) are prime examples. In 1969, our national Jean-Pierre Melville pulled it off with Army of Shadows. Later master Steven Spielberg has his heyday with the memorable films Schindler’s list (1993) et We have to save the soldier Ryan (1998).
Seven high school students to defend a bridge
But the Americans do not have a monopoly on war films and more specifically on the Second World War. Evidenced by the well-known feature film The boat… or The Bridge (1958). Once is not custom: this feature film directed by Bernhard Wicki chooses to focus not on seasoned soldiers, but on children. It is April 1945. In a German village spared by the war, seven carefree high school students one day receive their draft orders. Aware of the imminent end of the war, the non-commissioned officer supervising them entrusts them with a routine mission: to protect a bridge with no strategic value. But an American unit arrives the next day…
The continuation under this advertisement
When reality goes beyond fiction
As often in war films, the feature film draws its inspiration from a (very surprising) true story: that of three teenagers who defend a bridge in a small town. Convinced of the uselessness of this mission, one of them, Manfred Gregor, deserted the same evening under the mockery of his comrades (April 27, 1945). The next day, he passes by and finds that the Americans have passed. The bridge still stands, but the other two young boys are dead. The armistice is declared a few days later. The survivor will then recount the absurdity of the war and the enlistment of youth. The story will be reworked into a novel.
