10. "Uh, delighted, sir. Truly delighted." (A Bridge Too Far)
A Bridge Too Far is one of those classic ensemble World War II epics that would probably be impossible to make today because of its grand cast and its sheer complexity. Because it stars a number of acclaimed actors, Caine doesn't have one of the biggest roles as Lieutenant Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur. However, he does have one of the movie's most memorable lines. When Vandeleur is told by Lt. General Horrocks that his unit will take the lead during the sure-to-be dangerous Operation Market Garden, Vandeleur whispers "Christ, not us again." When Horrocks asks him what he said, Vandeleur leaps from his chair and delivers the above line with sarcastic enthusiasm. Though it is a joke, it reveals the frustration of Vandeleur's unit against the deadly odds they are about to face, but at the same time his stout refusal to back down from the challenge. As a whole, it marks the do-or-die attitude of the Allies as they undertake the mission that the whole film is about. Similar to many of Caine's other roles, Vandeleur has a few more humorous quips during the course of the film. One of Caine's enduring trademarks is how his affable charm manages to cut through tense scenes, and this reply is one of the best examples of that.
Chris McKittrick is a published author of fiction and non-fiction and has spoken about film and comic books at conferences across the United States. In addition to his work at WhatCulture!, he is a regular contributor to CreativeScreenwriting.com, MovieBuzzers.com, and DailyActor.com, a website focused on acting in all media. For more information, visit his website at http://www.chrismckit.com.
