On DVD: The Bridge

Directed By Eric Steel

“Death hath so many doors to let out life.”

                                              John Fletcher

The Bridge is a documentary film you will not soon forget. Its images will haunt you after a single viewing. The Bridge was recently released on DVD by Koch Lorber Home Video.

The Movie

Documentary filmmaker Eric Steel and his film crew filmed the daily happenings at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California for the period of one year. Not only did his camera capture thousands of everyday tourists and their friends and families happily snapping pictures of the bridge, the bay and the seagulls, but he also captured the suicides of several people plummeting to their deaths in the cold water below.

Not only does the director talk to the friends and families of the men and women that committed suicide, he also talks to the witnesses that just happened to be on the bridge at the time the person made the fateful decision to end their life. The stories of the friends and family are absolutely heartbreaking and make the viewer reflect on the terrible event that brought these strangers together: the person committing suicide and the witnesses and then, the friends and families and the witnesses who shared the last moments of their beloved person’s life.

The Bridge brings up many emotions. It is truly difficult to watch a person decide to end their lives and see them disappear into the murky waters. It is also difficult to picture a filmmaker and his crew filming silently on the shore as people make the decision to end their time on this earth.

It makes the viewer question should they silently film this event or pick up a cell phone and call for help? Where does the filmmakers ethical responsibility begin and the right for someone to make a decision to end their lives? These people were not murdered nor pushed off the bridge. They made a personal decision to end their lives. It is a quandary that still occupies my mind after watching this grim film. Particularly, since I am a documentary filmmaker myself, I questioned could I film such a subject. I still am not sure. Perhaps the filmmaker feels that he is helping the victim’s family and friends come to terms with the untimely death of their loved ones. Perhaps he feels that he paying tribute to the memory of these departed individuals by sharing with the audience their names, remembrances of their personalities and lives instead of them becoming just a general suicide statistic of Marin County, California.

All things considered, The Bridge is a very emotionally powerful film, but not an easy film to watch. Also, ethically speaking, the film is troubling. And, if you watch this film with companions, it should spark interesting opinions and conversations afterward.

7/10

The Video

The Bridge is presented in widescreen. It is a decent transfer with a serviceable color palette and acceptable black levels.

7/10

The Audio

The Bridge is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0. The dialogue is crystal clear and easily understood

7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features

The Bridge  is presented in a standard amaray case with artwork appropriate for the subject presented.

A few nice bonus features are available to peruse. A nearly 20 minute “Making Of” featurette is offered where the filmmaker discusses why he made the film and the different emotional complexities of this particular subject.

There is also a very poignant Public Service Announcement for suicide prevention that features someone that jumped off the bridge and survived.

While the bonus features are not plentiful, they compliment this intriguing film well.

6/10

Overall (Not an Average) 7.5/10

The Movie 7/10

The Video 7/10

The Audio 7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 6/10

Overall (Not an Average) 7.5/10

-Suzie Lackey