John Guillermin directs this adaptation of the book by K. Hechler. In March 1945 the war in Europe is coming to an end. German troops, led by Major Kreuger (Robert Vaughn), are ordered to blow up the only bridge left leading into the Rhineland to prevent entry by the Allies. Meanwhile, American Lieutenant Hartman (George Segal) and his platoon close in on the bridge, hoping to put a swift end to the bloody combat.