The US soldier Robert Redford played in 1977 film A Bridge Too Far did not like how he was portrayed, according to a leading military historian.
Sir Antony Beevor is quoted in The Times as saying he has seen a letter written by Colonel Julian Cook in which he objects to how Redford played him.
“Most men would have been flattered,” Sir Antony told the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Sunday.
Colonel Cook received the Distinguished Service Cross for his role at Arnhem.
Then a major, he parachuted into the Netherlands in 1944 and led a daring daylight crossing across the Waal River.
Before the crossing, Redford is seen in Richard Attenborough's film describing the mission as “a real nightmare”.
Another scene sees his Major Cook character berating a British officer for his inactivity.
“Those are British troops at Arnhem,” he is shown saying. “They're hurt bad. And you're just gonna sit here and… drink tea?”
According to Sir Antony, the real Julian Cook objected to his depiction in a letter found in the…
