Behind the Scenes of “A Bridge Too Far” – Remembering ‘Arnhem’
The courage of the troops who were caught up in the Battle of Arnhem inspired the 1977 epic film “A Bridge Too Far”. Directed by Richard Attenborough, and with a glittering cast including Michael Caine, Sean Connery and Anthony Hopkins, the movie garnered a host of awards including four BAFTAS. For many stars of the film, it became a testament to all those who’d taken part in Operation Market Garden.
We are delighted that some of the film’s actors have shared their memories with us as a tribute to our late beneficiary, Sid Sallis, and all those involved in the real-life Operation Market Garden in 1944.
Paul Copley – Pvt. Wicks
Long time Army Benevolent Fund supporter Paul Copley played Pvt Wicks, batman to Lt. Col. Frost played by Anthony Hopkins.
Paul says: “We only had a glimpse of what the camaraderie must have been like without, of course, any of the danger, bloodshed and death. I can only salute the mind-blowing bravery, tenacity and sacrifice of the real-life soldiers involved in battle. I hope we did justice to the dedication and bravery of the real-life participants and to history.”
He describes the experience of filming as a great privilege and pleasure and has fond memories of working in the Netherlands on ‘A Bridge Too Far’, remembering that the bridge in the town of Deventer stood in for the real life one in Arnhem.
The Army Benevolent Fund brought Paul Copley and Sid Sallis together at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of Arnhem in 2019, which Paul remembers fondly. This was the first public performance of Sid’s poem inspired by his experiences – read by Jeremy Irons and others here. [link]
Paul says: “It was an honour to meet Sid Sallis. I now understand the importance of Sid’s role of dispatcher from a friend of mine, ex-soldier, who was involved in the parachute drop for the D-Day commemoration in June. First out of the plane, he was sent by the dispatcher seconds too early for the drop zone. Unable to steer the vintage chute, he landed, unscathed, on the roof of a house. A ladder was fetched and all ended well.”
Frank Grimes – Major Fuller
The actor Frank Grimes played the part of Major Fuller, the young intelligence officer who tried to warn that the operation was doomed. Frank recalls:
“When I arrived on the set in Holland it was like walking into World War Two, all the paraphernalia of tanks, trucks and jeeps and extras dressed as soldiers. William Goldman, who wrote the screenplay, was visiting the set while my scenes were being filmed, and we had many conversations. He told me that Major Fuller was in real life, Major Brian Urquhart, the intelligence officer who was told ‘not to rock the boat’ over the aerial evidence he had found of a German presence. “
Frank continues: “My character is one of the only voices in the film that says no, don’t do it, go back, it’ll be a disaster. He had an intuitive feeling, I think, that it was hopeless and he tried very hard to stop it. But his superiors didn’t want to hear that and he was sent home for ‘spreading negativity’.”
Later in life, the ‘real Major Fuller’, Brian Urquhart, reflected in his memoir on the impact Operation Market Garden had had on him as a 25-year-old young officer. He said: “The Arnhem tragedy had a deep and permanent effect on my attitude to life. Before it, I had been trusting and relatively optimistic…After it, I doubted everything… and became deeply sceptical about the behaviour of leaders.”
Donald Douglas – Brigadier Gerald Lathbury
“A Bridge Too Far” was praised by critics as “a fantastic historical and cinematic achievement with its accuracy, particularly the action scenes, as a triumph, visceral and memorable.”
The actor Donald Douglas who played Brigadier Gerald Lathbury in the film, remembers one of these scenes all too clearly: “Working with Sean Connery, who played Major General Robert Urguhart, was a delight. I’m from Falkirk and he’s from Edinburgh, so we bonded over our Scottish heritage.
“When, in the movie, I was shot by a sniper, Sean had to rescue me and carry me to safety. Just before the take, Richard Attenborough came up to us and said I should be semiconscious and should let my head hang down. As he walked back to the camera, Sean, with his Edinburgh accent, whispered in my ear, ‘Donald, if ye want more of yer fache in this picture, hold yer head UP!’”
Donald says: “That was a very generous piece of advice, much appreciated, which of course I carried out.”
The real Brigadier Lathbury commanded the 1st Parachute Brigade in the Arnhem operation where he was wounded but later escaped from hospital and with the help of the Dutch Underground became an evader.
Thank you to Paul, Frank and Donald who shared their memories of A Bridge Too Far, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.
Read the real-life experiences of Sid Sallis, Arnhem veteran and beneficiary of the Army Benevolent Fund, here.