Image module

ARNHEM FOR EVER

– A PILGRIMAGE –

Britsh premiere of a documentary about the eternal friendship between de Veterans of the Battle of Arnhem (WW2) and the people of Arnhem.

September 1944. The liberation of Europe seems not far away. No less than 12,000 Allied forces will “take the back door” to Germany and free Europe from the occupier via the bridge at Arnhem (Bridge too Far). It will be all over in 48 hours. But it goes wrong. Instead of the liberation, it will be the last battle won by the Germans.

What makes that every year in September, now 75 years after date, veterans, their families and many people from Arnhem come together to commemorate “a lost battle” with dedication.

ARNHEM FOR EVER

– A PILGRIMAGE –

Premiere of a documentary about bravado, powerlessness and eternal friendship

September 1944. The liberation seems a stone’s throw away. No less than 12,000 Allies will “take the back door” to Germany and free Europe from the occupier via the bridge at Arnhem. It will be over in 48 hours. But it goes wrong. Instead of the liberation, it will be the last battle won by the Germans.

What makes that every year in September, now 75 years after, veterans, their families and many Arnhem residents come together to commemorate “a lost battle” with dedication?

WHEN

Sunday 17 november 2019 

British premiere of the documentary ARNHEM FOR EVER at the Imperial War Museum North

Press or guest? Send a request to eva@bridgetoliberation.nl

When

sunday 17 november 2019 

British premiere of the documentary ARNHEM FOR EVER at the Imperial War Museum North

Press or guest? Send a request to eva@bridgetoliberation.nl

Two years ago, Bridge to Liberation and Omroep Gelderland asked documentary maker Sandra Parry to make a documentary about life after the Battle of Arnhem; about the annual pilgrimage of British veterans. For example, the life of the English veteran Wilf Oldham (1920) is still dominated by the ten days he spent in Arnhem in 1944. His entire house “breathes” Arnhem and he lives up to the memorial all year round. For over 35 years he has been lovingly welcomed by Peter and Maria in Renkum. Wilf is no longer just a veteran for them, Maria now calls him “her second father”.

Veteran John Jeffries (1922), as a young paratrooper, tried in vain to liberate Arnhem and the surrounding area. He is still surprised at the cordiality and gratitude of the people of Arnhem, who lost so much in battle. In spite of his old age, he made another parachute jump which is in the documentary, as a tribute to his fallen fellows.

The commemoration also appears to be healing for younger generations of people involved. For example, Sara Lock lost her father in battle at a young age. Her annual trip to his grave brings her a little closer to him. In the film, she donates his letters to the Airborne Museum to keep history alive through the eyewitness accounts.

Two years ago, Bridge to Liberation and Omroep Gelderland asked documentary maker Sandra Parry to make a documentary about life after the Battle of Arnhem; about the annual pilgrimage of British veterans. For example, the life of the English veteran Wilf Oldham (1920) is still dominated by the ten days he spent in Arnhem in 1944. His entire house “breathes” Arnhem and he lives up to the memorial all year round. For over 35 years he has been lovingly welcomed by Peter and Maria in Renkum. Wilf is no longer just a veteran for them, Maria now calls him “her second father”.

Veteran John Jeffries (1922), as a young paratrooper, tried in vain to liberate Arnhem and the surrounding area. He is still surprised at the cordiality and gratitude of the people of Arnhem, who lost so much in battle. In spite of his old age, he made another parachute jump which is in the documentary, as a tribute to his fallen fellows.

The commemoration also appears to be healing for younger generations of people involved. For example, Sara Lock lost her father in battle at a young age. Her annual trip to his grave brings her a little closer to him. In the film, she donates his letters to the Airborne Museum to keep history alive through the eyewitness accounts.

Bridge to Liberation has set itself the goal of reflecting on the impact of the Battle of Arnhem in a new way, with a wide audience. Learning from this and translating lessons into now and the future, increases the relevance of the impact of war and the value of freedom for future generations. The release of a documentary about this cross-generation special pilgrimage brings Bridge to Liberation a step closer to achieving this goal.

Bridge to Liberation has set itself the goal of reflecting on the impact of the Battle of Arnhem in a new way, with a wide audience. Learning from this and translating lessons into now and the future, increases the relevance of the impact of war and the value of freedom for future generations. The release of a documentary about this cross-generation special pilgrimage brings Bridge to Liberation a step closer to achieving this goal.