Waterloo Bridge

WATERLOO BRIDGE is perhaps best described as one of a number of films "with an English accent" that played to American sympathies for England in the years when England largely stood alone against Nazi Germany. The story itself has a wartime setting: beautiful ballerina Myra (Vivien Leigh) meets and falls passionately in love with officer Roy Cronin (Robert Taylor), only to be parted from him when he is called to duty during World War I. Alone and increasingly destitute, she learns that he has been killed in action--and so, broken hearted and unconcerned for herself, she drifts into prostitution, plying the world's oldest profession along Waterloo Bridge... until she experiences a horrific twist of fate.

Although Robert Taylor is a bit miscast, Leigh carries the film with a truly remarkable performance. In the opening portion of the scene, she is at the height of her youthful beauty, and cinematographer Joseph Ruttenberg makes the most of it; later, when experience has hardened her, she turns the graceful charm of her earlier scenes upside down to create the bitter, brassy tart that Myra has become. The cast also features an exceptional performance by Lucile Watson as Lady Margaret and notable turns by Maria Ouspenskaya, C. Aubrey Smith, and a host of others.

Although less well known than such tragic romances as Garbo's CAMILLE, WATERLOO BRIDGE is easily the equal of such and considerably better than most. The romantic aura is powerful, the production values are meticulous, the direction, photography, and script are first rate. And at the center of it all we have perhaps the single most beautiful actress of her era, Vivien Leigh, in one of her finest performances. You'll need a box of tissues for this one; don't miss it.


Roy and Myra will steal your heart!   February 21, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

"Waterloo Bridge" is a tender love story set in England during WWI. I really love this movie because of the beautiful development of the stars's romance. Robert Taylor is perfect as the aristocratic, dashing Capt. Roy Cronin while Vivien Leigh is captivating as the sweet ballet dancer Myra Lester.
They meet and fall in love during an air raid and share some of the most tender moments on the screen like the beautiful dance at the "Candlelite Club." But their love is put to the test when Myra,who mistakingly thinks Roy's been killed in the war, is dismissed from the ballet company and turns to prostitution as a means of survival.
If you're a romantic like me, you'll enjoy this tearjerker. Roy and Myra's story tugs at the heart and makes you believe in true love again. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance or a well developed story with substance.


Beside GWTW, this is Vivien's best movie   January 20, 2003
This movie is what i'd call "the best movie I have ever seen since GWTW" this movie was the first movie Vivien starred in after GWTW. I heard this movie was also her favorite. I bet I can tell why! Waterloo Bridge, is about a young woman Myra Lester and a young man who's a ballet dancer Roy who is in the army, It starts of where Roy is on the Waterloo Bridge thinking about Myra. It's years after. And then the story starts years before. Roy and Myra meet on Waterloo Bridge during a bomb attack and go under the ground for shelter. Under the ground, they talk together and everything and become very good friends. After Myra's performance, they sneak out to dinner and thats a very memorable scene! Then after a while, they decide to get married, but Myra lost her job. So to raise herself and her friend Kitty, Myra's friend turns to prostitution. Myra turns to it too believing Roy is dead in action as she reads in the paper. But while she's at the station waiting for another man prostitute, Theirs Roy! He takes her with him and they go to get married. When they reach his home, Myra can't keep the secret anymore, and tells his mother Lady Margret. Myra runs away and Roy goes to look for her. Then you see Myra alone on Waterloo Bridge looking over the edge, when army trucks go by. And she starts walking. 1 army truck.....2 army trucks.......3 army trucks.....4 army trucks......And Myra throws herself under it and dies. But in the middle of the street, is her little lucky charm. And Roy somehow later. finds it. And then it goes back to him years after on Waterloo Bridge.


Waterloo Bridge   December 30, 2002
This film is a classic! If you love Gone with the Wind you will love this film! It's very depressing but fabulous. You will be crying you're eyes out when its over! But buy it anyway or at least rent it! It's a great film worth watching!


Waterloo Bridge   December 30, 2002
This film is a classic! If you love Gone with the Wind you will love this film! It's very depressing but fabulous. You will be crying you're eyes out when its over! But buy it anyway or at least rent it! It's a great film worth watching!