ARNHEM FOR EVER – A PILGRIMAGE –

Premiere of a documentary about bravado, powerlessness and eternal friendship

September 1944. Liberation seems just a stone's throw away. No fewer than 12,000 Allies will "take the back door" into Germany via the bridge at Arnhem and liberate Europe from the occupying forces. Within 48 hours, it will be over. But things go wrong. Instead of liberation, it becomes the Germans' final victory.

What makes veterans, their families, and many residents of Arnhem come together every year in September, now 75 years later, to commemorate 'a lost battle' with complete devotion?WHENThe documentary was broadcast on Sunday, September 15, 2019, at 7:15 PM on NTR on NPO 2. Since September 2, the documentary has been available to watch online via Uitzending Gemist (from Omroep Gelderland) or below via YouTube. When

The documentary aired on NTR on NPO 2 on Sunday, September 15, 2019, at 7:15 PM. The documentary has been available online since September 2 via Uitzending Gemist (from Omroep Gelderland) or below via YouTube. 

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In 2017, Bridge to Liberation and Omroep Gelderland commissioned documentary filmmaker Sandra Parry to make a documentary about life after the Battle of Arnhem; about the annual pilgrimage. For example, that of English veteran Wilf Oldham (born 1920) is still dominated by the ten days he spent in Arnhem in 1944. His entire house "breathes" Arnhem, and he lives year-round for the commemoration. For over 35 years, he has been lovingly welcomed by Peter and Maria in Renkum. Wilf is no longer just a veteran to them; Maria now calls him "her second father.".

Veteran John Jeffries (born 1922) tried in vain to liberate Arnhem and the surrounding area as a young paratrooper. He is still amazed by the warmth and gratitude of the people of Arnhem, who lost so much in the battle. Despite his advanced age, he is making another parachute jump in tribute to his fallen comrades.

The commemoration also proves cathartic for younger generations of those involved. Sara Lock, for example, lost her father in the battle at a young age. Her annual visit to his grave brings her closer to him. In the film, she donates his letters to a 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 broad audience. Learning from this and translating lessons learned to the present 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 extraordinary, intergenerational pilgrimage brings Bridge to Liberation one step closer to achieving this goal.

In 2017, Bridge to Liberation and Omroep Gelderland commissioned documentary filmmaker Sandra Parry to make a documentary about life after the Battle of Arnhem; about the annual pilgrimage. For example, that of English veteran Wilf Oldham (born 1920) is still dominated by the ten days he spent in Arnhem in 1944. His entire house "breathes" Arnhem, and he lives year-round for the commemoration. For over 35 years, he has been lovingly welcomed by Peter and Maria in Renkum. Wilf is no longer just a veteran to them; Maria now calls him "her second father.".

Veteran John Jeffries (born 1922) tried in vain to liberate Arnhem and the surrounding area as a young paratrooper. He is still amazed by the warmth and gratitude of the people of Arnhem, who lost so much in the battle. Despite his advanced age, he is making another parachute jump in tribute to his fallen comrades.

The commemoration also proves cathartic for younger generations of those involved. Sara Lock, for example, lost her father in the battle at a young age. Her annual visit to his grave brings her closer to him. In the film, she donates his letters to a 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 broad audience. Learning from this and translating lessons learned to the present 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 extraordinary, intergenerational pilgrimage brings Bridge to Liberation one step closer to achieving this goal.