A Bridge Too Far

1977. Directed by Richard Attenborough with Sean Connery, Dirk Bogarde (pictured), and an all star cast. Based upon the book of the same name, it is the retelling of another British General Montgomery's impractical plans that were forced upon allied troops during the war. This one, code named Market Garden, was an attempt to break through the German lines and have the troops home before Christmas by flying more than 35,000 men 300 miles behind enemy lines in Holland, laying a "carpet of airborne troops" to seize the bridges with "thuderclap surprise" and then hold them until they could be taken by a caravan of allied ground troops. Arnhem is to be the final bridge, the bridge which turned out to be "too far". This Montgomery devised operation caused more casualties than the Normany landing.

Great effort was made for authenticity in filming, and this clip of the "carpet of airborne troops" proves Attenborough and producer Lean succeeded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfv-19f8ZG8