A Bridge Too Far (1977)

Dirk Bogarde: Lt .Gen. Browning

Photos 

Quotes 

• Brig. General James Gavin : So that's it. We're pulling them out. It was Nijmegen.

  Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur : It was the single road getting to Nijmegen.

  Lt. General Horrocks : No, it was after Nijmegen.

  Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning : And the fog, in England.

  Maj. General Stanislaw Sosabowski : Doesn't matter what it was. When one man says to another, "I know what let's do today, let's play the war game."... everybody dies.

• Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning : [last lines, at General Browning's headquarters in Holland. After being extracted from the Arnhem debacle, General Urquhart arrives there and is greeted by dozens of geese in Browning's yard; their honking sounds like scornful laughter]  Welcome, Roy. How do you feel?

  Major General Urquhart : I'm not sure I'll know for a while. But I'm sorry for the way it worked out.

  Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning : You did all you could.

  Major General Urquhart : Yes, but did everybody else?

  Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning : They've got a bed for you upstairs, if you want it.

  Major General Urquhart : I took 10,000 of our finest troops to Arnhem; I've come back with less than 2,000. I don't feel much like sleeping.

  Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning : I've just been on to Monty. He's very proud, and pleased.

  Major General Urquhart : [incredulous]  PLEASED!

  Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning : According to himself, technically, Market Garden was 90% successful.

  Major General Urquhart : But what do YOU think?

  Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning : Well, as you know, I always felt we tried to go a bridge too far.

• [final plans are being discussed] 

  Lt. Gen. Frederick Browning : Only the weather can stop us now.

  General Stanislaw Sosaboski : Weather. What of the Germans, General Browning. Don't you think that if we know Arnhem is so critical to their safety that they might know it too?

  Lt. General Frederick Browning : See here, General Sosaboski, I should think you would have more faith in Field Marshal Montgomery's plan.

  General Stanislaw Sosaboski : Faith? I will tell you how much faith I have. I am thinking of asking for a letter from you stating that I was ordered to go on this mission in case my men are massacred.

  Lt. General Frederick Browning : I see... I do see. Do you wish such a letter?

  General Stanislaw Sosaboski : No... In the case of massacre: what difference will it make?