Bittrich and Frost chocolate scene in A Bridge too Far 1977

Bittrich offers a bar of chocolate to Frost after the battle is over.

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

A superbly acted scene. Anthony Hopkin's ability to convey his feelings without actually saying a word is brilliant, as is Maximillian's ability to display his obvious respect for his opponent. I was privileged to speak to a veteran who fought in the area of Arnhem on the Market Garden Op. He had been a Lieutenant in the KOSB's- King's Own Scottish Borderer's Regt. They came in by glider, they wore the maroon beret with their KOSB cap badge. He was 92 this old boy when I met him at RAF Cosford Museum, and he was wearing his maroon lid, KOSB cap badge, regimental tie and a blazer- smart as you like. *I asked him if it was true that Bittrich's troops had treated the British POW's very well- which is what I've read over the years. He replied, " Absolutely, I cannot fault the Germans, they treated us extremely well. We received food, water and cigarettes, our wounded were triaged- so in some cases, the German's prioritised treating our wounded over their own men. It was very obvious that the SS respected us as soldiers."* He went on to explain how his platoon were defending several houses in a small village, they were surrounded by SS Panzer grenadiers. His platoon expended all their ammunition, he explained to me, "I didn't see any point at all in getting my platoon wiped out by fixing bayonets and carrying on fighting, it would have been futile, so I ordered them to ground their arms and we surrendered."

[@peachyllama722]

Anthony Hopkins can convey so much without saying a word.

[@refugeeca]

This is before he went mad and became Hannibal Lector :-D

[@notamoonraker]

This is before his another great performance including as senior Zorro

[@rc59191]

​@@refugeecalol it's kind of funny how Hannibal Lecter was just a child during World War II and managed to live through the German invasion and losing his families castle.

[@williamhiers1280]

The guy who translates for Dietrich is the same soldier who was in the earlier "We can't possibly take you all prisoner!" scene.

[@Arbeedubya]

William Hiers He's Bittrich's aide-de-camp, so he's naturally going to have a pretty big role in his actions--though an officer of Bittrich's rank would've had considerably more than just one aide.

[@Beppo85]

Because he's Bittrich's interpreter.

[@oo-mu1cu]

Terribly sorry...will there be anything else?

[@JMBluecoat8289]

Dietrich. Sepp Dietrich? I thought he was posted elsewhere during this battle.

[@williamhiers1280]

@@JMBluecoat8289 Bittrich. Sorry.

[@toysoldier68]

My childhood. I've seen the film over and over again. He really inspired me for my hobby. Thanks

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

Wilhelm Bittrich was a very chivalrous military man. At least during this battle.

[@CunySark]

wcatholic1 Sadly his officers reported him for such comments on several occasions, only his genuine ability and the support of the regular army kept him out of trouble.

[@robwyyi]

The small einsach group couldn’t surround large village and cities so ss units that had rear guard assignments would assist the groups. Leaving the actual killing to the einsach group. But still it means Bittrich as a commander most likely knew what was up.

[@billace90]

Yes, from the old Prussian school.

[@michaeleverest7631]

Bittrich saluted like he respected the rank of another Officer.

[@Delogros]

Also respected their fighting capacity, something like 400 men held half the bridge for almost 5 days completely cut off and heavily outnumbered fighting German armour.

[@michaeleverest7631]

Yes the Paras certainly won the admiration of the Germans.... and the SS troops who claimed after that the British Paras here where the toughest enemy they had come up against

[@chrisholland7367]

Saluting out of respect for the bravery of the British airborne troops (The red devils)

[@cisium1184]

I think the professional fighting soldiers in both armies generally had a lot of respect for each other. Most were very good at their jobs, and most realized how thin the line often was between being the winner and being the loser.

[@robdean704]

Sticklers for rank those Nazis

[@lorrainechandler7864]

General John Frost described the Germans as Chivalrous in their treatment of the wounded and prisoners.

[@HeirofGojira91]

@Lorraine Chandler - Donald Pleasance too was also treated quite well in a POW camp apparently

[@Arbeedubya]

Colin Rude And to the Russian POW's--though apparently, considering that only about 5,000 of the 100,000+ German soldiers taken prisoner at Stalingrad survived their captivity, the Russians were little, if any, more humane.

[@lorrainechandler7864]

Apologies for my mistake.

[@alexwilliamson1486]

On the whole, British were well treated? And most of the opposition were SS, hardened from the Eastern Front, where shooting whole squads of prisoners would not be unheard off? The Germans had admiration for the British tenacity and determination they showed over the number of days.

[@lukeowens8376]

@Carlie Mckenna Lieutenant Colonel

[@abbaszaidi8371]

My dad raves on about Maximilian Schell in Judgement in Nuremberg. Have to say he is a striking looking fellow.

[@oilersridersbluejays]

Very good actor.

[@chrisidoo]

Unfortunately, he's also passed away.

[@cisium1184]

Bittrich wasn't wrong. English chocolate *is* very good.

[@margin606]

Tastes even better when it's dropped to the right side.

[@Frankie-O]

🍫

[@Fordnan]

*Was*. It's been bought out by Kraft and made to taste like cat sick.

[@Velthur]

Only after 4 years spent on the Eastern Front

[@knutritter461]

Very likely better than the US-American chocolate! 🤣🤣🤣

[@tasospatriwtis396]

ANTONY HOPKINS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTOR.

[@yorktown99]

More film-makers should pay attention to this scene and how it is constructed. Anthony Hopkins doesn't say a word, but so much pathos is on display.

[@Arbeedubya]

Chocolate? He'd rather eat your liver. With some fava beans and a nice Chianti. Fhfhfhfhfhfh!

[@thekameleon9785]

😂😂😂

[@jw1731]

I was just thinking of commenting something similar but gave up because I couldn’t think of a way to spell out the slurping sound.

[@TheLastOfTheFinest80]

Cleaver!👍

[@23Revan84]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@swsholdingeu]

Europeans in general find the division of English, welsh, Scottish very interesting. Also bitrrich was a professional and the Prussian’s always admired British attitude.

[@richardloring7545]

I worked in Arnhem .English are well liked...Spurs played Vitesse Arnhem n even hooligans behaved...would bit embarrassing fighting with fists on sacred ground

[@trippsallee]

I like how the SS was handled in this film. Usually, it’s only the Wehrmacht that gets humanized (if at all), with the SS being the beyond-all forgiveness full-blown bad guys. In this, they were treated as men. I know the SS is tied to so many atrocities, but it’s refreshing to see an enemy act human, as they are. Not all are bastards.

[@demasathallah]

I'm interested on the duality of the SS, there we can see Wilhelm Bittrich, and on the other side there's Oskar Dirlewanger

[@urviechalex9963]

@@demasathallah Yeah, Dirlewanger was certainly amongst the top 100 of all the rotten beings that walked this planet...

[@anthonywright6237]

There has been countless horrible bastards through out the ages. We are supposed to learn from it.. Germany I admire your resolve. Serious people but still have a lot of time for you

[@nKaDoen]

Anthony Hopkins, one of the best.

[@Android3008]

The very definition of chivalry

[@Frankie-O]

The medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code.

[@kniespel6243]

That was the "performance and success " of mister Monty. 😀😀

[@annedejong1040]

one of the most, touching cinegraphic scenes

[@nigelbrown8319]

Chokes me everytime i see this!

[@hoosieryank6731]

Apparently after the movie was shot, he met with the real Col. Frost and saw the movie together. The only thing that upset Frost (so Hopkins said) was the scene when he gets wounded: "A British officer never runs! He may walk quite smartly, but never runs!"

[@Jermster_91]

4 years after this movie, Anthony Hopkins would play Adolf Hitler in The Bunker.

[@Simpleburger1968]

Also - in the film certainly, in reality I don't know - Bittrich allows the ceasefire to allow the wounded to be evacuated : if true, a small mercy that others might not have granted ?

[@gat569]

Definitely, there was a ceasefire at the bridge to hand over the wounded to the Germans.. They also had a later ceasefire to evacuate wounded to the Germans at Urquhart's headquarters in Oosterbeek (sp?).. after that became the remaining trapped pocket.

[@mwduck]

Danke schoen, Herr Obergruppenfuhrer.

[@wernesgruder1]

if it had been American chocolate he would have turned it down. One has to have standards even in the most trying of circumstances....

[@kd253]

Well said sir..! As you were....

[@nigelbrown8319]

Ahh , thats made my day 😂😭

[@robertmorris8997]

No you didn't. Hershey's is awesome.

[@KP-viking88]

And Hopkins is Welsh

[@user-yk7dc9hu2k]

Someone always has to insert Americans into something that has little to do with them in order to trash America

[@Engineer1897]

I guess that the Germans didn't fire on the Allied planes unknowingly dropping supplies behind their lines. They probably knew not to interrupt an enemy when he's making a mistake, especially when you're having supply issues of your own

[@anthonywright6237]

Absolutely.. the germans are very intelligent. And have my full admiration

[@nenad-seguljev]

antony hopkins 1000 yard stare

[@jamespasquali7693]

Pussy boy scared ass English Officer. He shits his pants in this scene. His nuts get cut off in next scene. Thank you SS.

[@carljan57]

Respect

[@fredlast4547]

A great moment in this movie another one is the Jeep scene with James Caan in the forest.

[@alexmac770]

Typical Welsh actor's response to "English".

[@cochesethemagnificent9537]

RAF regiment

[@Frankie-O]

🇬🇧

[@goshomladenoff3037]

Maj. General Stanislaw Sosabowski: God bless Field Marshall Montgomery. 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? Lt. Col. John Frost: You know, Harry; I always wanted to ask you but didn't because I knew you so very much wanted me to; but why do you always carry that umbrella? Major Harry Carlyle: Bad memory. Never could remember the password. Knew no Jerry would carry one. Had to prove I was an Englishman, you see. Monty python:The drop is just 1 and a half kilomenters from the bridge, so you will have to walk there and take the jeep back home? and the hospital? tomorrow. What are you doing General Stanislaw:Just checking to see whose side you are on...

[@maryfroggatt4910]

Love it that Frost doesn't salute Bittrich back or say thank you for the chocolate. It's a very subtle fk you 👍😆

[@corneliussulla9963]

Typical English lack of sportsmanship. The only funny thing is that you Bozos are even proud of being savages.

[@Velthur]

That's because he was a sore loser

[@Briselance]

To be honest, Frost was not quite in a talking mood either.

[@Insperato62]

I'm not sure, but the fact he's not wearing a hat might have something to do with it. In the British Army if you're bareheaded you don't salute.

[@FrankJmClarke]

You are trained to take any food or drink the enemy offer you, and to say thank you. You won't last long in interrogation without food or drink. fk you gets you nowhere fast.

[@commandosolo193]

at the end they just become people again

[@cmvogt5951]

Anthony Hopkins is in A Bridge Too Far.

[@Beppo85]

Yes, that’s what the scene is from.

[@Noutchka]

Max Schell was hot.

[@danielpeton5500]

Fine actor. Highly respected and professional.

[@bag3lmonst3r72]

Well well. A chivalrous Waffen SS officer.

[@SmokeyBCN]

chivalrous when it suited his ideology. You can be sure he would not have done the same to a Russian officer.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

@@SmokeyBCN I think there was an element of gloating as well. "Here is some English chocolate your forces dropped to us by mistake."

[@LoudaroundLincoln]

@@SmokeyBCN actually Bittrich was a professional soldier. His SS career was purely for advancement opportunity. Although he was a committed Nazi he didn't seem to revel in the usual blood letting of his contemporaries. His sentencing for war crimes is more to do with his responsibility for the conduct of his subordinates and his membership of an illegal organisation. Hes the sort that lives in a moral grey area. Someone taking advantage of what life's choices throw up. Probably what would be described in most places as a "patriot".

[@christophersorrentino1271]

Mr. Rostair, in retrospect, you might be right. Bittrixh had the bearing... at least in this movie.. if that if a professional Army officer ( Read Prussian) and held to military courtesies, and not be an animal as a full-fledged Nazi functionary might

[@user-Loxoprofen]

皮肉かしら

[@martinelliotedwards1883]

He looks at him and scoffs that he’s part of the SS. Watch carefully.

[@Ruvik92]

Martin Elliot Edwards some ss people were not the murderers of the camps Micheal witmann wore ss he was a tank commander some ss where just the higher ranks of the army

[@keithorbell8946]

@@Ruvik92 no, the SS was a separate organisation to the army. Some men transferred because promotion was faster. But the SS was originally the paramilitary arm of the Nazi Party, so I find it very hard to believe that senior officers were not Party Members, especially since Himmler was the commander in chief, and once you got to General officer level promotion would almost certainly be on his instruction.

[@Ruvik92]

@@keithorbell8946 yeah I get that man

[@addewasurendra]

@@keithorbell8946 there was a clear Division between the Waffen-SS and the Einstazgrüppe type SS...similar to Animosity between the Allagemine-SS and the Whermact.

[@keithorbell8946]

@@addewasurendra still Nazis.

[@danilorainone406]

had the germans had such goodguy moments on behalf of freeing germans and jews from ss boots 15 years earlier,,,,couldamighta,,,,,,,never happened

[@rogerhoward7872]

How many went in? 10000. Sorry 30000. Respect. Please

[@cookudysu90]

10000 British/Polish Paratroopers and Glider troops went to Arnhem barely 2500 made it back across the Rhine when told to withdraw by Horrocks, Browning and Monty, the rest 7500+ were prisoners, dead or in hiding. Most of the Poles were dropped at Driel and linked up with the Vanguard of 30th Corps.

[@christophersorrentino1271]

Mr. Sirius Rostar.... I hope I spelled it right....another more prevalent reason for proper treatment was that ,basically, German High Command.... excluding that mad man Hitler.... knew the war was going to be over in the Allies favor.The German Hierarchy had heard the 4 Big Four say at both Yalta and Casasblanca that war criminals would be prosecuted. That, sir, I can just about guarantee you is the reason for the Germans to be " chivalrous"

[@yatsumleung8618]

John Frost. The Mad Colonel of Arnhem.

[@petteriauvinen7196]

Why Frost didn't answer to salute ? Basic things....That fight was ok, both side, U must respect ....

[@marvinc9994]

Because he's a BRITISH officer (not a Yank) - and not wearing a HAT ! You SHOULD know that........................................

[@mikekemp9877]

@@marvinc9994 and sitting down.

[@TheWhiteOwl23]

I think he was probably very disheartened at the loss of the battle, and not in the mood for formalities.

[@Signals927]

@@marvinc9994 Spot on my friend the British do not salute without a hat on but Americans do.

[@PNS311]

American Marines also do not salute without a cover on, I think we get that from our ancestors to British Royal Marines ​@@Signals927

[@gamehengeful]

The trauma of this battle and his captivity would later drive Frost to change his name and become a cannibalistic, serial killing psychiatrist.

[@juschu67]

8 months after this battle the uber super knight shoot himself in his head at the GRÖFAZ BUNKER IN BERLIN

[@hyperform]

If you are talking about Bittrich he s died in 1979 at W. Germany for natural causes according to Wikipedia. Many war crime charges against him were dropped and he's got 5 years sentence for other charges.

[@christophersorrentino1271]

Sosaboski......I know I'm spelling ir wrong, sorry... does not havw his positiob explained in the movie. Free Poles were tolerated, not celebrated, just a month before Stalin stopped at the gates of Warsaw, ams let the Free Poles be slaughtered rather than help.Why? He only wanted Communist Poles to appear to be the heroes. Sosabowsky was afraid the Brits, as Russia's allies, would allowed his Airborn troops to be slaughtered to appease the Reds........after all, it was in the Brits blood; after all didn't Chamberlain sell the Czechs down the river???

[@anthonywright6237]

We joined the war because you where blitzkrieg.. we went all over Europe fighting . We are an island.. we could of quite simply stared put..

[@robertpeston6692]

Just some background as people are getting confused. Germany and before that, Prussia was allied with GB and Disraeli. They looked with admiration at the British spirit of fighting and always respected them, the Prussians have a rule that they respect only "professionals" and ask that non-pros should surrender or be hung so this is why the British were treated better, of course, the genes are very similar and if you look at The UK royal Family before 1900s they were all counts of Swabia/Saxony/Wurtenberg etc. This pains me to say so but the Germans were the stronger side because Britain always used off-shore balancing and maintained an empire - they always thought diplomacy would stall Germany - Germany was taken over by a madman and well, German ruled supreme.

[@OUigot]

Anthony Hopkins played the role of an arrogant British Lt Colonel, he thought the battle was going to be effortless and even wanted his servant to pack his golf clubs for the mission. In this scene, after being defeated, he accepted a chocolate bar from the very person he arrogantly underestimated a couple days earlier.

[@JohnSmith-oe4ci]

what's "arrogance" got to do with it ? The Allied armoured division didn't make it to the fucking river, through no fault of his or any of the paras who held off the German assault heroically.

[@keithorbell8946]

I think you have completely misunderstood to character.

[@LoudaroundLincoln]

When he asks his batman to pack his golf clubs and he's asked are if he's sure he needs them Frost responds with "Let's hope so". I mean that's not exactly an arrogant response. Hes an experienced soldier with an elite force under his command and his superiors are confident in him and the fact that the Germans appear broken after a disastrous summer of fighting. Also the fact that all of the other units involved have proven themselves time and again, some of whom having even fought the Afrika Korps. John Frost was an extraordinary soldier, and it's commonly believed that not many other soldiers of his time could of held Arnhem bridge for as long as he did in those circumstances.

[@marvinc9994]

"arrogant British Lt Colonel" Which film was THAT in ? I only ask because I haven't seen it yet..........................................

[@yatsumleung8618]

The Mad Colonel of Arnhem

[@christophersorrentino1271]

Does Anthony Hopkins, and did Frost in real life, allow them selves as Britiah officers as to act so pathetic as to not rise and return the salute of a officer of similar rank?? OK, its the movies , its Hollywood, but what example of British military prife is best exhibited: Hopkins totally demoralized example of a British officer, or that of Sir Alec Guiness intm"The Bridge on the RiverKwai" ? Bittrich treats Frost like an admirable foe, while Haieko(? right) totally abused Guiness, and he keeps to form

[@dondog1278]

In the British army, you dont salute if your bareheaded. No hat/helmet, No salute. How they get trained.

[@robertcavagna6819]

LTC Frost was wounded in both legs. Might have been a bit difficult to stand up and salute his counterpart. Further, after four days of relentless fighting and leading his men, he was completely exhausted.

[@Solitude47152]

Hopkins part was completely disrespectful to his German counterpart, he was to salute and stand at attention. This scene was such nonsense to watch. The British strategy and execution of it’s operation was an utter disaster.

[@dynamo1796]

Hah, you have no understanding of the history of it. The character Hopkins plays, Major-General John Frost, was a classic officer with respect for both his men and the enemy. He knew the mission was likely too much of a stretch and even though he was to command around 9000 troops at the Arnhem bridge by the time the landings were done and the fighting underway he only had 745 paras with him. Frost continued to try and execute the mission, holding the bridge for much longer than just the 2 days he was meant to and inspiring huge confidence in him men and earning the respect of the Germans. At the end, with the para's down to 100 fighting men and no ammunition, Frost ordered the surrender. At this time he was wounded in a number of places, including shrapnel in the feet, hence why he couldn't stand to salute Bittrich. He was also exhausted after 4 days of continually fighting a superior enemy with no reinforcements coming.

[@Solitude47152]

@@dynamo1796 Sure pal, whatever you say.

[@anthonywright6237]

​@@dynamo1796 I genuinely don't believe that he wouldn't of salute back. Even if his leg was missing

[@anthonywright6237]

As an Englishman I find it very disrespectful he didn't salute him back.. even if we where beaten

[@ebf5026]

He's not wearing headdress, he's sitting down, he hasn't slept in 4 days and anyone who hasn't got the King's commission is technically not entitled to receive a salute except as a compliment. Don't be silly.

[@vids569]

@@ebf5026 well none of the prisoners are "technically" entitled to receive a salute yet the German commander saluted them. We are talking here about respect something which you people lack :)

[@anthonywright6237]

You can keep what the king says.. Pope says.. the all mighty him self.. again as an Englishman. I pride myself on respect. As a leader of men he should have reacted properly

[@anthonywright6237]

And as for you. Please do not slander US about having respect. No country does it better.. hence why I'm annoyed.. tell me a people that have the manners with have. And ill tell you your a bone head