So I totally understand that films have to be allowed a certain amount of dramatic license to create a narrative that stitches a larger story together. But the scene early in 'A Bridge Too Far' where Browning casually dismisses recon photos and resistance intel that point towards a larger, better-equipped German force in the area than what's expected points towards what seems to be a larger mythology about Market-Garden that has persisted to this day. The 'Band of Brothers' mini-series (dubious history-wise because of its association with Ambrose, granted) also touches on the fact that intel for Market-Garden indicated that German resistance would amount to little more than Hitler youth and old men. The reality, of course, was much different.
We now know that the Allies ran into tough resistance from the redeployment of II SS Panzer Corps and other movements into the area by under-strength but well-equipped German units. My question is: how well informed were Monty and the Allied planners of these developments ahead of the operation? 'A Bridge Too Far' indicates that they had enough information to put the pieces together, and stop an operation that had faulty assumptions about opposition strength. Is this accurate? Is there another consideration to take into account? For example, was the operation too big to call off by the time they figured all of this out?
There is most certainly dramatization in the film, as with most films concerning any historical event.
As for the films depiction of Browning ignoring materials collected (aerial photos, comms intercepts, HUMINT) this was most certainly the case, that being a grandiose intelligence failure up there with Iraq and Raglan’s pomposity and arrogance with regards to the Light Brigade. That said, I think the movie unfairly targets Browning with this scene when in fact the entire CoC, all of them, all the way up to Monty had been informed that Bittrich’s units where indeed posted to Arnhem for rest and retrofit, they simply ignored it. Of course this doesn't acquit Browning of his own actions, simply pointing out that the film seems intent on painting him as the sole 'bad guy' as it were.
The failure to properly direct the intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination can directly be attributed to the overwhelming desire to execute this operation, despite the apparent risks. Driven by his belief in the narrow front strategy and a desire for personal and professional fame, Montgomery overtly ignored intelligence and allowed a hastily and inadequately planned operation to be executed, which resulted in the destruction of the British 1st Airborne Division.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2830&context=theses