Waterloo Bridge [DVD] [2009] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

I have never understood why this film is so rarely acclaimed; it's a powerful tearjerker and the acting from Leigh and Taylor is brilliantly understated, with Leigh turning in a performance quite the contrary of her overblown, though equally superb, Scarlett O'Hara the previous year. The theme of Leigh as a prostitute is toned down from the book, though it is insinuated, but this is not to the detriment of the film, as it fits in with the understated performances. I would place this amongst the 10 greatest movies ever made.

I have the DVD of this the imported korean version.I bet there is a better copy out there but this is good and the sound is perfect aswell.
Made in 1940 it is still as brilliant now as it was upon its realease.Vivien Leigh in her firt role since Gone With The Wind plays Mara a young ballet dancer who meets Captain Roy Cronin (Robert Taylor)in an air raid warning on Waterloo Bridge in World War 1.They fall in love instantly and agree to marry one day before he has to go back to fight in France.They dont get married as Captain Cronin is called back into action.Months go by and Mara reads that Cronin is dead in a newspaper.After loseing everything she turns prostitute though not said once in the movie you just know that she has.In a chance meeting Capain Cronin returns and finds Mara.They agree to go to live with his mother Scotland but a terrible thing happens (i wont spoil it for the people who havent seen it yet.
Idont think this film has even seen the day of light since its realese nominated for 2 Academy Awards.It has a massvie following in China but has never got a dvd realease in uk or america there is a very rare and hard to get old of copy by a russian company.Overal this is one of my fav movies of all time.

Waterloo Bridge (Made 1940) is set during World War I, it stars Vivien Leigh as Myra, who's profession at that time was a young ballerina in London, while looking for cover from another air raid she meets a soldier Roy Cronin (Robert Taylor) who's very carefree but also a romantic and is simply swept away by Myra's beauty. He sets about sweeping Myra off her feet gradually she realizes she in love for the first time ever. Myra is thrown out of her ballet company after it was discovered she was out after curfew, Roy then hears news he is soon to be called to the front line, wishing to be together Roy wastes no time in asking his uncle the Duke (C. Aubrey Smith) for her hand in marriage, unfortunately because of red tape during that time they are unable to wed. Roy goes to war but at a later date news reports back of his death, Myra is left in despair.

Myra attempts to ask for her old job back as a ballet dancer but is point blank refused to add to problems her friend Kitty (Virginia Field) is also fired for her outburst in support. Together they are left to make ends meet, Kitty finds work and helps Myra out at first but then Myra discovers Kitty is selling herself to pay the bills. Out of work, Myra eventually turns to the oldest profession to help out. By a haunted twist of fate the reports of Roy death were false he returns to Myra who sharply sets about to hide her past, but for how long can her secret remain hidden.

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy based on a play by Robert E. Sherwood screen play callaboration by S.N.Behrman, Hans Rameau and George Froeschel. The photography work on this film is beautifully done by Joseph Ruttenberg. It's also equalled with an incredible musical score created by Herbert Stothart (The Wizard of OZ is amongst his more famous film scores). This Film was nominated for its Black and White Cinematography and Original Musical Score. The cast line up is exceptional, Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor, Lucile Watson, Virginia Field, Maria Ouspenskaya, C.Aubrey Smith and Janet Shaw. Outstanding performances by Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor for their realism in this Melodrama, laced with love, suspense, deception and prostitution, back dropped against WWI & II, and a hanky is needed at the ready for the ending. This is reported to be both Taylor's and Leigh's favourite film, and from Leigh's wonderful collection this is certainly mine. It's defiantly not to be missed.

A quick note to the studio, please, please, please can you release this wonderful old film to DVD on a grand scale, please could you clean it up so the photography simply shines through for a sharper picture. Discs for this film are hard to come by and currently at an expensive cost for poor quality. Please realize this film should not be overlooked, let's bring it up to date for many waiting fans to enjoy, make it possible for all.

A.Bowhill