Very few of us will ever get to see the actual work done by the USN on their carriers. Even though this was filmed nearly 70 years ago, I would imagine that most of the principals still apply. This is about carrier action in the Korean War, the first with fighter jets and the scenes showing the the fighter take-offs and landings are fascinating. William Holden plays a WW2 fighter pilot, called back to fly by his reserve unit. He's been a successfull attorney, with a beautiful wife (Grace Kelly) 2 daughters, and now with everything to live for, he's having to risk it all. Very good cast in this. Frederic March is the Admiral in charge of the task task force. The great Charles McGraw is the group commander, Mickey Rooney is good as a chopper rescue pilot, a very young Earl Holliman is his crew assistant. The only weak part is in the middle when Kelly and the daughters come to visit with him on leave in Tokyo. Nevertheless, this is made up for on the thrilling finale when Holden, McGraw, and their unit fly the mission to destroy the Bridges and Holden is forced to land in N Korea and Rooney and Holliman come to attempt to rescue him. Great action and drama-it's just too bad this wasn't shot in Panavision.
Review of The Bridges at Toko-Ri
