The Bridge (1959) - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
| The Bridge Die Brücke | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Movie Poster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Bridge is a 1959 WWII film based on the novel by Manfred Gregor and directed by Bernhard Wicki. Set during the final month of the war in Europe when the Germans conscripted teenagers and old men to defend the crumbling Reich, the film focuses on seven teens who are abandoned by the retreating, demoralized Wehrmacht to defend a worthless bridge against advancing Americans. The film was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Foreign Language Film in 1960 and is considered by many to be the greatest German film about World War II and among the greatest anti-war films of all time. It also helped the director Bernhard Wicki to work on the 1962 epic historical war drama film The Longest Day.
The film was released after the also successful German movie Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever? of the same year. An eponymous remake was released for television in 2008.
The following weapons were used in the film The Bridge:
Pistols
Walther PP
Before going to the Wehrmacht, Jürgen Borchert (Frank Glaubrecht) receives his father's service weapon, a Walther PP, from his mother (Eva Vaitl).
War Time Walther PP - .32 ACP
Jürgen's mother holds the Walther taken from the gun cabinet.
She turns around to lock the cabinet which offers a view of the Walther's slide.
The mother gave Jϋrgen the gun as a present.
Shortly after he put it on his suitcase.
Jürgen scares a civilian (Emil Josef Hunek) with his Walther.
As his main weapon jammed, Jürgen fires desperately at the sniper with his PP.
The dropped Walther next to shot Jürgen.
Walther PPK
What appears to be Walther PPKs are seen in the holsters of Hauptmann (Captain) Fröhlich (Heinz Spitzner), Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant colonel) Bütov (Siegfried Schürenberg), Leutnant (Second lieutenant) Zimmermann (uncredited), Stabsfeldwebel (Sergeant major) Zeisler (Vicco von Bülow), and other German army officers.
Early Waffenamt marked Walther PPK - .32 ACP
Hauptmann Fröhlich and Leutnant Zimmermann stand by Oberstleutnant Bütov side as he gives a speech to the soldiers.
Another view of the holstered pistols shows the smaller lanyard rings.
The holstered pistol of Hauptmann Fröhlich.
Luger P08
A German Feldgendarmerie military police officer challenges Unteroffizier Heilmann (Günter Pfitzmann) with his Luger P08.
Luger P08 - 9x19mm Parabellum
A distrustful Feldgendarm points his P08 at Sergeant Heilmann.
Submachine Guns
MP 40
Feldgendarmerie policemen and Wehrmacht officers wield the MP 40. All of them appear to be the earlier variant with smooth magazine wells. Also, protagonist Jϋrgen Borchert (Frank Glaubrecht) uses an MP 40 instead of his original weapon - a Sturmgewehr 44 - when firing his gun. This mocked-up MP 40 has a wooden stock and a thicker magazine.
MP 40 - 9x19mm Parabellum
The two Feldgendarm MPs with slung MP 40s ask a civilian what the lone soldier wanted from him. The smooth magazine well is visible.
One of the Military Policeman opens fire at the fleeing soldier.
A panicked Oberleutnant (First lieutenant) (Til Kiwe) preparing to stop a truck bearing injured soldiers. This actor was actually a former Wehrmacht officer and holder of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
The officer with his lowered MP 40 watches a soldier fixing the stalled engine.
Jürgen fires his MP 40 at some American GIs running for cover.
Happy Jürgen with his MP 40 after killing an American soldier.
A view of Jürgen's mocked up MP 40 which resembles an StG 44.
A Feldwebel of the demolition squad (Georg Lehn) with his slung MP 40 taking shelter in a basement walks past Sigi's mother (Edith Schultze-Westrum).
The angry Feldwebel points his MP 40 at Hans.
M3A1 "Grease Gun"
Several US soldiers engage the teenagers with the M3A1 "Grease Gun" during the fight.
M3A1 "Grease Gun" - .45 ACP
An American GI shooting it out against Jürgen.
Another GI suppresses the children with a salvo from his Grease Gun.
An American soldiers emerges from the window aiming at Walter (Michael Hinz).
Rifles
Karabiner 98k
The Karabiner 98k is used by Albert Mutz (Fritz Wepper), Hans Scholten (Folker Bohnet), Jürgen Borchert (Frank Glaubrecht), Karl Horber (Karl Michael Balzer), Klaus Hager (Volker Lechtenbrink), Sigi Bernhard (Günter Hoffmann), and Walter Forst (Michael Hinz) from basic training onwards. It is also widely wielded by Wehrmacht soldiers including Unteroffizier Heilmann (Günter Pfitzmann). The Karabiners in the movie are different early and late variants with different barrel bands and with and without hooded front sights.
Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser
The now conscripted teenagers training with Karabiner 98k.
A close up of Walter closing the chamber of his Kar98k.
The Kar98k put aside by him. This carbine has a grasping groove which is a feature of a full-length Gewehr 98 converted to a Kar98k.
The conscripts cleaning their Karabiner 98ks and bayonets which are the Ausgangsseitengewehr with hooks on the quillon and S84/98 III.
Sgt. Heilmann inspects Jϋrgen's Mauser.
Heilmann, Karl, Hans, Klaus, Walter, Jürgen, Albert, Sigi, and other soldiers of the Grenadier-Bataillon 463 lined up to get to be informed about the situation.
The slung Kar98k of Heilmann following Hauptmann Fröhlich.
Heilmann handed over his carbine to Hans. This one has a late war welded barrel band.
Albert's Kar98k lies at the edge of the trench. During the fighting, none of the youngsters make use of their carbines.
Mauser Gewehr 1898
Among the carried Mauser rifles are many Gewehr 98s. During the departure from the barracks, Unteroffizier Heilmann (Günter Pfitzmann) carries one.
Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Six (longer) Gewehr 98s are seen in the two gun racks in the foreground.
Heilmann on the far left with a Gew. 98 slung over his shoulder.
Carcano M91/38
Throughout the movie, a large number of Carcano M91/38 Short Rifles are seen.
Fucile di Fanteria Mod. 91/38 - 6.5x52mm Carcano
Hauptmann Fröhlich and Unteroffizier Heilmann cross an depot full of Carcano rifles.
A Carcano is carried by a Landser on the stopped Magirus-Deutz A 3500 truck.
Two soldiers sitting on the fenders of a Mercedes-Benz L 3000 truck look at Wehrmacht officer who stopped the second retreating convoy directly on the bridge.
Sturmgewehr 44
Jϋrgen Borchert (Frank Glaubrecht) is issued with a Sturmgewehr 44 during the distribution of weapons in the barracks and uses it during the defense of the bridge. However, during actual shooting scenes, the rifle inexplicably trades place with an MP 40.
Sturmgewehr 44 - 7.92x33mm Kurz
Jϋrgen with the StG 44 over his back at the surprised well-known destination.
A view of the upper part when he talks to Sgt. Heilmann.
Jürgen on his way to his self-selected position on the tree.
He supplies himself with 7.92x33mm Kurz rounds.
Jürgen hides behind the tree before for battle.
Karabinek wz. 29
One German soldier can be seen with a Wz. 29 Mauser rifle which is later wielded by Klaus Hager (Volker Lechtenbrink).
Karabinek wz. 29 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
The soldier holds his Wz. 29 Mauser while getting in a Mercedes-Benz L 3000 truck.
The soldier takes a sit which offers a view of the protected front sight of the rifle.
After reaching the bridge Karl is seen with the Polish Mauser.
The Wz. 29 Mauser lies on the edge of the trench.
M1 Carbine
Most of the US Army soldiers are armed with M1 Carbines.
World War II Era M1 Carbine - .30 Carbine
An M1 Carbine lies next to its former shot user.
A GI fires his M1 Carbine from a window of an occupied house.
Another American soldier fires his M1 Carbine at the teenagers.
An American encounters Walter inside the house and is shocked to discover who he and his fellow soldiers are fighting against.
The same GI went out on the street to watch the tanks retreat.
M1 Garand
An American soldier is seen with a scoped M1 Garand.
M1C Sniper Variant with M84 scope - .30-06 Springfield
The GI left his cover behind the tank to run to the house.
The sniper aims his M1 Garand with an M84 telescope at the hiding place ontop a tree.
A close up of the scope as the sniper has Jϋrgen in his sight.
Machine Guns
MG 42
Hans Scholten (Folker Bohnet), Albert Mutz (Fritz Wepper), Karl Horber (Karl Michael Balzer), and Klaus Hager (Volker Lechtenbrink) operate MG 42s during the defense of the bridge. Other ones are mounted in the hulls of the mocked-up Sherman tanks standing in for the Browning M1919A4.
MG 42 with sling and bipod collapsed - 7.92mm Mauser
Hans holds his just issued MG 42 in the background.
Hans and Karl with their slung machine guns.
Hans takes off his MG to set it up on sandbags.
Klaus unfolded the bipod of his MG 42.
Karl and Albert load their MG 42 as American tanks approach.
The prepared MG 42 of Hans and Klaus.
Karl and Albert await the incoming enemy.
So do Hans and Klaus. Note the 7.92mm Mauser blank rounds.
A close up of the MG 42 manned by Karl.
Mcked-up Sherman tanks with mounted MG 42 in their hulls return fire.
Hans moves the charging handle.
Another view of the firing MG 42.
Other
Air Rifle
Walter Forst (Michael Hinz) owns an air rifle.
Diana Model 25 Air Rifle - .177; for comparison
The air rifle is seen in the corner of his room.
Hunting Room
The hunting room of the Borchert family includes several Flintlock and Wheellock Pistols, but also some sporter rifles and Wheellock Muskets.
Pistolet modèle An IX - .69 cal
The servant of the Borcherts stands in front of the pistols.
Mayflower Wheellock Musket
The muskets behind Jürgen's mother.
A slightly different view.
An early 17th century wheellock pistol of the German/Dutch type
Two wheellock pistols hanging under the portrait of Jürgen's father.
A brighter view of the pistols.
Mauser 98 Sporter Model B - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Mrs. Borchert goes to the gun cabinet.
Two sporter rifles are seen behind her.
Panzerfaust
Some German soldiers and the members of Unteroffizier Heilmann's (Günter Pfitzmann) platoon are issued with Panzerfausts. These are used by Walter Forst (Michael Hinz) to knock out several US tanks.
Panzerfaust - 44mm with 149mm warhead
A German soldier passes on a Panzerfaust.
A Feldwebel (Technical sergeant) hands over four more launchers to Heilmann's squad on the way out.
Jürgen and Klaus each received a Panzerfaust, which they unloaded after reaching the bridge.
The anti-tank weapons lie in front of Walter checking his lamp.
Walter proudly tells Heilmann where he wants to position himself.
Walter took up position in a foxhole on the right flank of the tanks.
He aims at a passing tank.
Firing the Panzerfaust at the tank.
Scoring a hit on a US tank.
When Walter targets a second tank through the window with his Panzerfaust, he doesn't notice the civilian standing behind him, who tries to stop him from firing.
Mocked-up Sherman tanks
The filmmakers asked the US Army if they could borrow real tanks from them, but the request was denied. As it was impossible to obtain US tanks at the time of filming, wooden models were used, only one of which was motorized. After the firing scene with the Panzerfaust, this had to be turned through 90 degrees quite quickly, which was done with long ropes and pulleys. If you look closely, you can see truck wheels with double tires under this tank model. The internal wheels can also be seen when the Sherman tanks first appear. In close-ups of the tanks, the view under the vehicles is obscured by sheet metal.
Smoke Grenade
An American soldier throws an unknown smoke grenade on the street to cover the retreat.
The tossed smoke grenade.
Another view of the flying smoke grenade.