The Bridge on the River Kwai Reviews

• Bridge on the River Kwai: Be Happy in Your Work

  
  By A4Y233WXK7DQ3 on 2000-07-03
  David Lean's "Bridge on the River Kwai" is one of my favorite movies of all time, and one one the greatest war movies of all time, but a differnt war movie. Can the civilized Colonel Nichoson (brilliantly played by Alec Guinness and won him an Academy Award for best actor) defy the brutal Japanese Colonel Saito(Sessue Hayakawa, also brilliant)and win the war of wills? At first we think he won't but the plot takes a strange turn and this Nicholson turns out to be as fanatic as Saito is in the prison camp. Beautifully shot in Ceylon(Sri Lanka) serving well for Burma by Freddie Young, Lean's great photographer also for "Lawrence of Arabia" the viewer can feel the heat and humidity, see the starving appearance of the prisoners, who start buiding the bridge as a lark until Nicholson wins his points of honor and they work harder than ever. My favorite line in the movie is one of Colonel Saito's favorite sayings: "Be happy in your work," which takes on more and more irony as the film and story unfolds. There is a side plot, with William Holden barely escaping, only to be brought back back with hard-core commandoes(led by demolitions expert Jack Hawkins) to the camp to blow up the bridge. This is a wonderful psychological and subtle war film, with just enough adventure and action to balance its war of words, over the Geneva Covention(Nicholson keeps a copy of it in his pocket and then is slapped with it by Saito)over points of British stiff upper lip and Japanese warrior code,Bushido, two vastly different viewpoints but in the end breed fanatics. The acting, editing, writing,and photography are all flawless. This is one of the few war movies made forty ago that still rank with any today. A true masterpiece, much imitated. Lean is a director of place and attends to all the small details, from the ratty prisoner uniforms,a Japanese sentry standing guard in the heavy rainfall, and the haunting whistling of the entire ragged British company, marching tired and disease-infested into a new camp just after Holden has been digging graves. And the camp doctor, well-played by James Donald, saying "Madness! Madness! after watching the bridge being blown while a train crosses over. A true classic of any genre. The restored version is excellent and again , since I saw this movie on a large screen, see it if you can at the theater, even if you own this video. It is that good.
  
  

• David Lean's anti-war masterpiece in all it's glory......

  
  By A1D2Z6UOCT9456 on 2000-11-22
  The release of David Lean's powerful, intelligent and thought provoking anti-war masterpiece on widescreen DVD accompanied by the added bonus documentary "The Making of the Bridge on the River Kwai", along with other featurette's, theatrical trailers and an appreciation of the film by noted director, John Milius, is indeed a cause for celebration amongst cinema afficiando's of this most superb of motion pictures.

  The remarkable novel by Pierre Boulle (also author of "Monkey Planet"...filmed as the memorable "Planet of the Apes") is masterfully brought to the screen by director David Lean, a true genius behind many historical epics.

  Deep inside snake ridden Asian jungles, British and American prisoners of war toil under the sweltering tropical sun working on part of the infamous Burma railway that claimed thousands of Allied lives during WWII. Colonel Saito (talented Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa) presides over his POW camp with an iron rule...driving his Japanese troops as hard as his malnourished prisoners. Enter the honorable and steadfast English POW, Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guiness in an Oscar winning performance) refusing to capitulate to Saito's demands that British officers perform manual labour alongside enlisted men. Each man's blind adherance to their own personal code of honor sees the two men plunge into a psychological war of will, bravado and courage...each determined not to waver from their personal beliefs.

  As these two leaders clash with each other, American prisoner of war and resident camp gravedigger, Shears (William Holden) effects on escape from the brutal prison camp and after nearing death, he makes his way back to the Allied forces. Unfortunately for the timid Shears, he is coerced to guide a suicidal commando mission with Major Warden (Jack Hawkins) and Lieutenant Joyce (Geoffrey Horne) to return to the enemy infested jungles and blow up the railway bridge being built by Nicholson and the British prisoners of war.

  Each differing path taken by Nicholson, Saito & Shears eventually intertwines and ultimately sees the three men confront their own inner fears and beliefs with tragic circumstances....

  Seven Oscars bear testament to the wonderful attributes of this movie....including Best Picture and Best Actor...plus "Kwai" is regularly listed by critics as one of the most influential and highly regarded movies of the 20th century. For some additional in-depth behind the scenes reading on "The Bridge on the River Kwai" check out the insightful William Holden biograpy entitled "Golden Boy". Excellent reading !!

  Quite simply an absolute "must have" addition to any DVD collection, "The Bridge on the River Kwai" remains a benchmark in inspirational movie making....I cannot recommend this film highly enough !!
  
  

• It doesn't have to be big to be big

  
  By A26TSW6AI59ZCV on 2006-01-09
  In World War Two, in Southeast Asia, Sessue Hayakawa portrays the commandant of a Japanese prison camp. Alec Guinness is the British Colonel of a group of soldiers who were captured and placed in that prison camp. Jack Hawkins is the leader of a British prisoner rescue mission, and William Holden is an American prisoner-of-war escapee. Hayakawa and Guinness collide as Hayakawa tries to "break" the morale of the prisoners and make them build a bridge that is important to the Japanese war effort. Guinness is first obsessed with proving that British troops cannot be broken, and then becomes obsessed with building that bridge, to prove what he and his men are capable of. He needs structure, order, and purpose so much, that he adopts Hayakawa's project as a mission for himself. Meanwhile, Hawkins and Holden are determined to stop or destroy the bridge, to hurt the Japanese.
  
  Everyone is determined, at least, or obsessed, to accomplish purposes that converge, collide, and clash in the jungles of Southeast Asia. The acting is superb, and Alec Guinness deservedly won an Oscar for his portrayal of a man so in need of a purpose that he subverts his own beliefs and adopts the enemy's purpose. One of the scenes at the end, where Guinness's character suddenly realizes what he has done, is an amazing capturing of a man experiencing an epiphany, or emerging suddenly from a cloud of insanity.
  
  Most of the time, the term "epic" needs to be connected to something on a very large scale. David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" encompasses much of, well, Arabia. "Dr. Zhivago" spans all of Russia during the Communist Revolution. "Gone With The Wind" covers much of the Confederate South during the Civil War. "Cleopatra" shows us ancient Egypt and Rome. These epics also span years of time in the stories they cover. "The Bridge on the River Kwai" does not cover nearly as much ground, geographically or chronologically. It is, in a sense, a small epic, and it is one that unfolds at its own pace, like "The Green Mile." "The Bridge on the River Kwai" is not big, and it is not fast. It is just quietly magnificent and stunningly powerful.
  
  

• 3 Fanatics + 2 Stories + 1 Ending = WWII Pacific POW epic

  
  By AW003H7Z3OCHA on 2000-12-22
  Rated #11 on AFI's (American Film Institutes) 1998 top 100 movies of the last 100 years. This 1957 DVD Limited Edition (7 Oscar Winner including the BIG 3; Best Picture, Director - David Lean and Actor - Alec Guinness) World War II Japanese Prisoner Of War camp Classic remains one of the best psycological war movies made. (1953's "Stalag 17" a WWII German POW camp is the other. Ironically William Holden won a Best Actor Oscar).

  The story is about 3 main fanatical characters; First is Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) the Japanese prison camp commander. Second is Colonel Nicolson (Alec Guinness) the English commander of the POW's (introduced by the now famous whistling tune, "Colonel Bogey's March"). Third is an English (demolition expert) Commando Major (Jack Hawkins) guided by an escape POW (William Holden) a reluctant, coerced sailor who's kismet is chosen for him. These 3 Soldiers and 1 Sailor have impossible missions to accomplish with all their fates focused at one common place at one specific time.

  The 2 Stories are; One build "The Bridge on the River Kwai" in a very compressed time line. The Second is to destroy this same bridge. The stories have many twists and turns while the finale is surprisingly abrupt after a long complex journey.

  This 1957 wide screen classic is beautifully restored and plays very well even without all the special digital effects of today. The realism is so vivid. Seen phyically on the POW's and soldiers bodies and faces. The Dolby 5.1 puts you in the thick of the jungle with an eerie feeling. A frighteningly close environment, dense, with very little visibility but the sound is 360 degrees. Only these sounds to cue your imagination and senses.

  As always with a DVD 2 pack there is an abundance of background information about the movie. A nice collectors package.
  
  

• Of War, Honor, and Disillusionment

  
  By A3HAIQAPJCTOSH on 2000-02-11
  David Lean masterfully recreates Pierre Boulle's classic novelset in the Burmese jungle of World War II. The movie provides one ofthe great character studies ever captured on film. Two men, Colonel Saito played by Sessue Hayakawa, and Colonel Nicholson played by Alec Guinness, clash in an epic struggle of duty, honor, and will. Saito, a brutal, driven and reclusive prison camp commander stands in stark contrast to the equally driven but erudite and charismatic Nicholson. Upon arriving at the camp, Nicholson demands humane treatment for his troops in accordance with the conventions of war. Saito strikes the British Colonel and confines him in a small, sweltering tin box in an effort to break his will. As the days pass, the tension in the camp builds as the British soldiers, in forced labor, sabotage their Japanese captor's efforts to construct a railway bridge over the River Kwai. Saito, humbled and desperate, finally summons the emaciated Nicholson to meet in a gripping scene over dinner. The men ultimately reach a compromise to build the bridge, a compromise that sows the seeds for their eventual destruction. Hayakawa and Guinness, through sheer force of talent, depict the sense of honor and agony that consumes each of their characters.

  The musical score, cinematography, and direction only accentuate the dramatic force of this movie. If you have never seen the film, I envy your first experience. If you have, then you know the satisfaction you derive from watching it again and again...
  
  

• Whistle (and go mad) while you work
  By A27PSZX2SE0B51 on 2001-07-30
  If someone had the inclination, "Bridge on the River Kwai" could have been divided into two very respectable movies. The first, concerning a group of British prisoners of war charged with erecting the title piece, would have been a neat little psychological drama and character study starring Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa. The second, an action-adventure thriller, would follow William Holden, accompanied by Jack Hawkins, as they braved the harsh Asian jungle in a plot to blow up said title piece. Each movie, as I see them in my own head, would have their fair share of suspense, action, snappy dialogue, intriguing characters, and powerful narrative thrust. Each would have been a critical success, a popular smash, and an enduring classic. However, they are not two movies. They are one cohesive whole. And here the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

  David Lean skillfully weaves these the two narrative threads together. Even with a 160 minute running time, Lean never wastes a moment. Everything leads to something else, and it is always entertaining. Lean is that rare director who has a firm handle on both the visual and narrative elements of his films. He reigns both in here with considerable skill, only showing what the audience needs to see, and what he wants them to see.

  As in most war movies, madness is a theme that runs rampant. Each of the main characters has dipped into some sort of madness, which manifests itself in four unique and intriguing ways.

  Guinness is Col. Nicholson, a by the book British officer. He carries around a copy of the Geneva Convention, and expects his Japanese captors, isolated for many months in the jungle, to adhere to them. Guinness' greatest work here is in portraying Nicholson's stubbornness in the face of grave danger, and his pride in a job well done. It could have been a showy role in the hands of a lesser actor, as there is a temptation to externalize Nicholson's crumble from sanity. Guinness is subtle beyond the call of duty (even in his physical portrayal; one moment has him, after a long stint imprisoned in an oven-like box, paraded in front of his men. Catch Nicholson trying to march with military precision on legs terrorized by atrophy. It is a heartbreaking, and heroic, moment).

  Colonel Saito, played by Hayakawa, is a man caught in a most unenviable position. In the beginning, he appears to be holding all the cards. But as we soon see, he is as much a pawn as the prisoners he's captured, indebted as much to his superiors as to his honour of duty. The problem with the character of Colonel Saito, and really the only hole in the whole film, is that he is supposed to be a menacing character. But we never see him be menacing; we have to rely on the word of Commander Shears. A scene of him killing in cold blood would have gone a long way later on, when his transition to Guinness' subordinate would have been even more powerful.

  Major Warden, played by Hawkins, comes late to the story, but has much to say about how the second half will play out. He too is controlled by a sense of British duty, but his madness exhibits itself in a less controlled way. Warden, who's spent most of his time playing war games in a tropical paradise of a base, expects his mission to be a walk in the park. The horrors he encounters (both physical and psychological) are unexpected and hit him much harder than the others. Hawkins, as both the English gentleman and the tormented soldier, does a fine job.

  Holden plays probably the most intriguing character. His Commander Shears has lived with his madness the longest, and has developed an ironic anti-hero callus to shield himself from the horrors. We first see him digging graves for his fallen comrades, of which he is the last to survive. From there, his situation gets much worse. Shears adopts a mocking tone when confronting his superiors, parakeeting their catch phrases ("When you're done, there's always one more thing to do"; "Be happy in your work") to the point of ridiculing them. And even when he manages to escape the physical prison, he manages to get drawn back there against his will.

  The prevailing madness of the film comes to a head in the end as Major Clipton, the camp's doctor and arguably the only character not afflicted by insanity up to this point (and probably my favourite character), has a Conrad-like epiphany. It's a moment that rivals Kurtz' "The horror! The horror!" from "Heart of Darkness" and "Kwai's" war-movie progeny "Apocalypse Now".

  Even though many of its themes are psychological, it's no surprise why "Kwai" became both a popular and critical success. It has all the elements of a grand classic: an all-star cast, tight suspense, lush scenery, humour, drama, finely drawn characters, intense action, and well-scripted dialogue. And of course, there's the great whistling scene; nothing better than a bright melody to cut through the horrors of war. It's a charming little scene that both brings a smile to your face and warns of tough times ahead.
  
  

• 1 Bridge, 2 Immovable Forces, 3 Great Stars, SEVEN OSCARS!
  By A2ZSC81MXLBELX on 2003-01-02
  This review refers to Columbia/Tri Star 2000 release DVD of "The Bridge on the River Kwai"....

  I am still whistling that wonderful theme song from this film(I watched it 2 days ago),"Colonel Bogey March". From the moment the British soldiers march into the Japaneese P.O.W. camp, whistling that tune I was once again hooked on this fabulous World War II movie!

  The story, based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, is loosely based on actual events that occured during the war.The very proper Colonel Nicholson(Alec Guinness) leads his captured,but proud and tattered British troops into the Japaneese P.O.W. camp they have been assigned to.It is there that he comes face to face with the commander of the camp, the equally proper Colonel Saito(Sessue Hayakawa).Saito and Nicholson are immediatly at odds, concerning the assignment of the British, to build a railway bridge for their enemies over the River Kwai.Both men are highly principled in their beliefs, stubborn in their ways and will not give in where their honor is concerned.Saito seems to have the upper hand, using cruel and unusual punishment to try to persuade Nicholson, but to no avial. The bridge must be built and eventually they come to a compromise.Nicholson sets his men to the task in an almost obssessive way and takes great pride in the job his men are doing.

  Meanwhile......an escapee from the camp, American sailor Shears(William Holden),whose only ambition is to get home, has now "volunteered" to lead a task force, including the over zealous British commander Major Warden(Jack Hawkins),back to the camp so they can blow up the bridge.And of course you know with Holden leading the team there will also be some romance mixed in with the action!

  It's a great adventure from start to finish. Directed by David Lean with perfection, filmed in the breathtaking locales of Ceylon, with an engaging script by Michael Wilson and Carl Foreman, you'll fall in love with this epic film.It recieved the Best Picture(1957) Award from Oscar and also garnered a Best Director for Lean, and Best Actor for Guinness, as well as Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, and Music Scoring!

  You will not miss one detail of the jungles in this beautifully remastered DVD. The colors are sharp and vibrant. It is presented in the original theatrical widescreen(anamorphic), aspect ratio 2.55:1, and every bit of scenery right to the edges is outstanding. The choices on the sound are 5.1 Dol Dig or 2.0 surround. The dialouge is crisp and clear, as is the musical score. The surrounding sounds are not quite as clear but is still good. It may be viewed in several languages or with subtitles as well. There is not too much on the special features on this edition(see tech info), however there is a "Limited Edition" for not much more than this one with a ton of extras(if only I'd known when I bought this one...),that is also by Columbia so I would guess the picture and sound are excellent as well.

  One of the best war movies ever made..go for it..Laurie
  
  

• Limited edition DVD review
  By A12A8LU93A132U on 2000-12-10
  A very long film by modern standards that could have been cut down in the long marching through the jungle scenes, none-the-less, a classic film. The DVD is a good restoration of such an old film. However there are a lot of floating hairs particularly in the opening and ending scenes. A few places the picture jumped like you were watching the movie on a reel film that misaligned for a few cells. Thankfully this only happened twice for a short period during most of the film. The sound was adequate. Overall the restoration could have been better. I've seen better in films almost as old. The DVD special features were okay. The best was a documentary produced in 2000 that is very good. This special feature alone makes this set of DVD's worth it. It has good interviews with many of the crew who worked on this film. It runs about an hour and is very interesting. None of the cast was interviewed. Most of them are no longer living. The original featurette produced in the 60's was moderately interesting. It sounds like the same guy that did the Twilight Zone voice-overs narrated it. It views more like an extended trailer. The best information is given in the newer documentary. The `USC Short Film Narrated by William Holden' looks to be a film produced in the 60's to show film students how to watch and evaluate a film. The only reason this seems to be included is that it uses `The Bridge Over the River Kwai' as an example of how to watch a film. Interesting in a funny sort-of-way, but probably you would watch it once then never again. An Appreciation and Discussion by Filmmaker John Milius was the most annoying of the special features. It consists of mostly this guy Milius stating why he thought the movie was a classic. I kept thinking who is this guy and why do I care why he liked the movie? Most of his comments about the film were very inane. Thankfully it runs only about 8 minutes. The photo gallery was done in an interesting way. It runs through automatically with the music of the film. However, the posters shown are all very similar and after about 5 minutes I became bored. It runs about 8 minutes. Finally trailers for the film as well as for Guns of Navarone, Lawrence of Arabia, Fail Safe and a couple other that slip my mind are included. The trailer for Fail Safe is very funny in a historical perspective way. Overall the DVDs are a good value for the film, the exclusive documentary, and the trailer of Fail Safe. If I knew of a better film restoration of the movie I would get it, but I don't think a better restoration will be forthcoming.
  
  
• A tense, Exciting, And Dramatic Spectacular of WWII!
  By ALR35EFI69S5R on 2000-08-06
  No one was a more masterful film maker than was David Lean, the British director who brought us such unforgettable classics as "Lawrence of Arabia", "Doctor Zhivago", "Ryan's Daughter" and, of course, "Bridge Over the River Kwai", (see my reviews of all these films). The cinematography in all of Lean's films is always spectacular and breathtaking, for Lean had a special appreciation for how the nature of one's natural surroundings set the stage and influenced the dramatic proceedings. Lean characteristically focused his films on the ways in which individuals and their personal characteristics clash and meld with the larger social, cultural, and historical surround in which they are located, and so each film is a uniquely captivating study of the specific dynamics of each particular individual situation.

  Each of these films is also a well-choreographed and photographed excursion into the topography, climate, and landscape of the geographic location in which the drama unfolds. The eyes and ears are always delighted by what Lean displays. In "Bridge Over The River Kwai", the first of these spectacular films to be produced by Lean, the wildness and danger of the surrounding jungle is used as an active metaphor by Lean which he uses to bind the British prisoners into a life and death struggle with the despotic camp commander, whose feudal philosophy leads him to view the prisoners as shameful cowards who do not deserve to be treated like human beings. Their curiously naïve and self-important commanding officer, played brilliantly by Sir Alec Guiness, immediately becomes embroiled in a power struggle with the Japanese commander that sets the plot churning into overdrive, speeding the story along toward further confrontations and a number of interesting plot twist.

  Also excellent as a cynical American sailor landlocked in the camp is William Holden, who plays the part with such blithe and careless detachment it is hard to appreciate how good he is, unless you are familiar with his performance in other films such as "The Bridges At Toko-Ri" or "Network". The supporting cast is excellent, and the script, written by the novelist who penned the original book, is taut, lean, and full of memorable dialogue and terrific dramatics. The action unfolds as part of the larger context of the war itself, which provides the necessary impetus to explain the desperate, cruel, and courageous behavior of the characters. The cinematography here is absolutely breath-taking, and the many spectacular action sequences and memorable musical score all contribute to make this one of the most popular and memorable films of all time. By the way, the film has aged very well, and as a piece of history and as a piece of popular entertainment it is always a pleasure to view as one of the outstanding films of the 1950s.
  
  

• Best Film Ever, Test Of Wills & Character.
  By A1IHT31N8RLPN8 on 2007-05-05
  This unique film had everything you could want except romance. Action, suspense, special effects, an intruiging story, themes, cinematography, diection, & locales. This is the story of a Japanese POW camp in Burma in World War two. Commanded by Colonel Saito {Sessue Hayakawa}, the mainly British captives are being used as slave labor for the construction of a railroad bridge that will link malaysia to Rangoon over the river Kwai. The Japanese commander's life depends on it's successful completion. Colonel Nicholson the British commander is a stickler for rules & when Saito declares that officers will work as well as enlisted men, he sites the Geneva Convention restrictions on officers doing manual labor. When they refuse to work, Saito has them thrown into ovens, metal containers that bake in the tropical sweltering heat. After much angst Saito relents since the bridge is behind schedule.
  
  There's a fine mix of camera shots from all possible angles showing the grinding heat draining the overworked & malnurished men, as well as breathtaking panoramas. Above all positives of this excellent film were the performances by all concerned. Alec Guinness as Col. nicholson was beyond "PERFECTION." He totally absorbs the characters essence & then manifests it. I can't think of any actor who deserved his/her OSCAR more. William Holden is also superlative in his scenes, as were stern Sessue Hayakawa & the enigmatic Jack Hawkins. The destruction of the bridge & train was a one shot chance done very well. I saw this film on TV as a young boy. Now seeing it again on DVD, it was as enthralling as ever. Buy it, you won't be disapointed.
  
  
• Previous edition repackaged and repriced. . .
  By A3VAXXMIYHZ3LY on 2008-04-20
  Sony has reissued their previous 2-DVD edition of David Lean's BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI in a new package. No new material, but a lower list price, so it's within the reach of most fans of epic storytelling. Also check out Lean's LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, given the same treatment. Two fine, fine films, deserving of the double dip.
  
  
• What have I done?
  By A13D1WTFEMS9VH on 2000-11-29
  There really aren't enough superlatives to describe the beauty, power and human drama in this film. The restoration is magnificent, the photography beautiful and the story compelling. Sessue Hayakawa gives a masterful performance as Colonel Saito; easily the most complex portrayal of any Japanese person in WWII movie history. He is completely unable to understand the British sense of honor, since being taken prisoner in the Japanese mindset is the ultimate dishonor. Yet he is also unable to deny that he and his own officers are simply not competent enough to tackle the task at hand, namely to build a railway bridge across the River Kwai -- and do so under a non-negotiable deadline. To fail this task would cause his own public dishonor, yet to yield to the contest of wills with Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness), whom he desperately needs to build the bridge, would cause him to suffer a loss of face and deep personal dishonor -- a Hobson's choice. Alec Guinness is simply brilliant in his role -- and simply British. On one level he is the quintessential British colonial master, out to "teach these people a lesson...that will put them to shame". His pride allows him to convince himself that building the bridge is nothing more than a morale booster for his men -- never mind that it furthers the Japanese war effort. He reasons that since he was ordered to surrender that to then refuse to do his captor's bidding might be considered tantamount to insubordination. But beyond doing what is merely necessary, he becomes obsessed with building a bridge that will last hundreds of years. In reality he is constructing a monument to himself, since he is now in the twilight of his military career. William Holden gives a wonderful performance as Shears, the only American to witness this contest of wills. He is much more interested in living "like a human being" and avoiding any military duty than dying for such a twisted sense of "honor". However, though, circumstances dictate that he become the proverbial reluctant hero. There are so many other outstanding touches and performances in this film that to describe them all would take more time than it would to simply watch it. In this case, one picture is truly worth a thousand words. See this movie.
  
  
• One of the all-time war movie greats.
  By A1CIW2OEVAJRM2 on 2002-03-07
  "Bridge Over the River Kwai" is an Oscar winning World War II film, loosely based on a book by the French writer Pierre Boulle. However, Hollywood had to change the plot to make it more palatable to American viewers by introducing an American star into the cast. The plot was also modified to accommodate a greater role for women: one female beauty makes a brief appearance, and several Asian women absent from the original novel play a key supporting role towards the end.

  What makes this movie a gem is not just the exciting plot, although that is an essential ingredient in making this a successful movie. A British contingent of soldiers in a Japanese prisoner of war camp are required to build a bridge across the river Kwai for the Japanese. But because this bridge is a threat to the Allies, they send in a troop of commandos to destroy the bridge. There is only one problem: the British commander (Colonel Nicholson) who built the bridge has taken so much pride in the construction work of his soldiers, that he does not want it destroyed. The tension rises to heart-stopping levels, with a thrilling climax. There is some violence in the movie, but it is minimal and only towards the end, and unlike modern war movies there is no focus on the gory details. The climax features stunning scenes that at the time were unprecedented in movie making history. And the ambiguity of the conclusion leaves plenty of room for after-movie discussion and contemplation.

  But what really makes this movie so stellar is the characterization and the psychological conflict at the beginning of the movie. What the second half of the movie offers in terms of intrigue and action, is more than matched by the psychological conflict in the first half. The Japanese commander of the prisoner of war camp (Colonel Saito) requires British officers to perform manual labour. Colonel Nicholson insists that this is contrary to the Geneva Convention, and together with his officers refuses to comply. This battle of personalities is the feature of the first part of the movie and is compelling, gripping, and involves brilliant acting. The repeated notion of "madness" also hints at underlying themes about the futility of war, making this a profoundly anti-war movie. This is evident in the complete reversal of the British colonel's attitude to his officers working and the final lines of the movie about "madness".

  Although not suitable for younger viewers because of the occasional intensity of the action and the themes of war, "The Bridge On The River Kwai" is generally a clean and wholesome movie when compared with modern movies. Given that the cinematography, characterization, and acting are all superb and thought-provoking (as well as the enduring whistling tune of the "Colonel Bogey March"), it is little wonder that this film rightly takes its place among the all-time war movie greats. In fact it's easily one of the best movies I have ever seen.
  
  

• A Film You Will Never Forget; Masterful From The First Minute Until The Last
  By A1FDW1SPYKB354 on 2006-01-05
  Richly deserving its 1957 "Best Picture" Academy Award, "The Bridge On The River Kwai" is truly one of the best motion pictures I have ever seen (and I had never seen it even once until just a few days before writing this review).
  
  Directed expertly by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel, "The Bridge On The River Kwai" never falters. From the very first well-composed "CinemaScope" frame, right through to its exciting climax, everything about this motion picture is spot-on perfect.
  
  The film tells the World War 2 story of a group of British P.O.W.s who are handed the assignment of constructing a railway bridge across the Kwai river, deep within an Asian jungle in the hot and steamy summer of 1943.
  
  Each actor in this movie shines brightly in his respective part -- beginning with Alec Guinness' absolutely wonderful award-winning portrayal of "Colonel Nicholson", who undergoes more than his fair share of torture and abuse at the hands of the Japanese "Colonel Saito" (played by Sessue Hayakawa). Guinness' Nicholson is a man guided by an immovable set of rigged principles. And he ends up winning his battle of nerves (and torture) against his Japanese enemy. A truly remarkable performance by Mr. Guinness. It's no wonder he was nominated for the "Best Actor" Oscar for his role in this film. And, rightfully so, he won the award as well.
  
  The great William Holden (age 38 here) earned a healthy 1-million-dollar salary for his part as "Shears" in the movie (plus he got a portion of the film's box-office receipts too). And he earned every cent, as far as I'm concerned. While his part is not quite as deeply-layered or extensive as Alec Guinness' in the picture, Holden's character is still a vital and integral part of the film, as he plays a soldier who sets out on a mission to destroy the River Kwai bridge.
  
  Jack Hawkins rounds out the main cast, as "Major Warden", the hard-nosed leader of the Allied Commando team assigned to blow up the just-finished Kwai railway bridge.
  
  An interesting thing hit me a day after I finished watching this movie for the first time -- I found myself re-living portions of the film over again in my head, and (of course) found myself whistling the unforgettably-sensational "River Kwai March" theme tune (aka "Colonel Bogey March"), which is something that's likely to stay with you for quite a long time. (The DVD Menus make sure you won't forget the melody either.)
  
  Plus, the day after I saw it, I also found myself already beginning to appreciate the "timelessness" and award-winning flavor and grandeur of this epic-scale motion picture. And I even felt a strong desire to watch the whole 162-minute film all over again the very next day. When a movie can have that much impact on a viewer, what better compliment can there be to emphasize its greatness?
  
  Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment released the 2-Disc edition of "The Bridge On The River Kwai" on November 21, 2000, and it's a great-looking DVD in all respects, in my opinion. Sporting a beautiful and colorful Anamorphic Widescreen print of the film, Disc One of this two-disc set contains the full-length film in its original CinemaScope aspect ratio of approximately 2.55:1. The lush quality of the photography shines through brilliantly here via this nice, crisp-looking Widescreen version. I'd hate to think of having to watch this movie in a hacked-to-pieces Pan-&-Scan Full-Screen version. Luckily, such torture is not required here, because the original Widescreen format is available on this DVD.
  
  There are multiple Dolby Digital soundtracks to choose from for the movie -- a 5.1 Surround track plus a 2.0 Surround option as well. Both of these tracks sound very good to me. Lots of subtitling options are available as well, plus an "Isolated Music Score" soundtrack too.
  
  Several fulfilling bonus features take up residence on Disc #2, including a nicely-done 53-minute Making-Of documentary, as well as an original 1950s-era vintage behind-the-cameras featurette ("The Rise And Fall Of A Jungle Giant"), which has a satisfying old-time "nostalgic" feel to it.
  
  While I very much enjoyed the "Jungle Giant" mini-featurette (which lasts for a little more than 6 minutes) for its unique behind-the-scenes type of footage -- I couldn't help but scratch my head in bewilderment when the final portion of the program seemingly is cut off abruptly without explanation. The narration and video build the viewer's suspense, taking us right up to the brink of the dramatic one-take-only scene of the bridge being blown to bits, then there's a splice in the film just prior to seeing any behind-the-scenes stuff of the actual detonation, with the film then trailing off into its closing few seconds (an "epilogue" of sorts). Very odd I thought. Makes me wonder if that bridge-blowing sequence was somehow lost and not able to be recovered for some reason.
  
  Additional DVD Extras --- A "USC Short Film" (with an introduction by William Holden), which runs for just under 16 minutes. This is a kind of a "lesson" in filmmaking techniques, with "The Bridge On The River Kwai" used as an example of what goes into feature filmmaking. Lots of behind-the-scenes footage on the sets of "Kwai" is included here.
  
  Another featurette on Disc 2 is "An Appreciation By Filmmaker John Milius". This is an 8-minute "appreciation" of "The Bridge On The River Kwai" by Mr. Milius, as he provides his personal thoughts on the film and its impact on him. Needless to say, he loves the movie. And his comments here are quite interesting too.
  
  There are also four Theatrical Trailers included as DVD bonus material (including one for "River Kwai"). Plus -- A 7-minute "Photo Montage" (on a musically-scored timed track, with "Pause" capability enabled). The "montage" was a slight disappointment to this writer, simply because it only includes photos of poster art and advertising materials for the film. No "publicity stills" are included at all. Which is kind of odd because a few such items are seen within the Making-Of documentary. Still, the filmed montage is done very nicely, with appropriate underscoring to add atmosphere.
  
  Rounding out this healthy batch of DVD supplements is a "Talent Files" section, featuring brief text-only bios on five members of the "Kwai" cast and crew.
  
  Also included as part of the 2-Disc "Limited Edition" DVD package is a collectible 12-page booklet, which is a replica (reprint) of the original 1957 souvenir book. The last page of the booklet is a DVD Scene Selection guide for the film's 40 chapters.
  
  -----------------
  
  "The Bridge On The River Kwai" took more than a full year to film and edit, finally making its debut in movie theaters on December 18, 1957. But that year spent in the Asian jungle was definitely worth it. Because what resulted from that strenuous year of sweat and gritty filmmaking was a true cinematic masterwork.
  
  So, take this DVD for a spin soon .... and then watch yourself replaying much of the movie in your head the next day. For this is a DVD to treasure; and a movie to remember. For all time.
  
  
• Excellent classic film! Great transfer to DVD!
  By A2FMUVHRO76A32 on 2001-02-15
  This DVD illustrates in great detail why this movie is considered one of the all-time greats. Even though the film is more than 40+ years old now, the quality of the film is greater than that of some recently produced movies. Since Kwai was filmed entirely on location (no Hollywood soundsets), the film has a high sense of realism. And, the analog-to-DVD transfer is superb. The audio and video quality are excellent, and many special features are included in the 2-disc set.

  While Kwai is generally remembered for the bridge blowing scene, it is my opinion that the movie should instead be cited as an example of superb character development. William Holden, Alec Guinness and Jack Hawkins all have great roles and do a magnificent job. Particularly interesting is the conflicts which exist between Guinness' character and that of the Japanese commandant (played by Sessue Hayakawa).

  You will not be disappointed by this film!
  
  

• A timeless masterpiece
  By A21PREXEN6AEXS on 2000-08-07
  Today Sir Alec Guiness costar of The Bridge on the River Kwai died, his passing is a great loss to the world for he was a truly a magnificent actor. This was one of his best roles. The film deals with many of the aspects of war, one I found particularly thought provoking was Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guiness) defense of his work on the bridge. The bridge was a project for the enemy so why do a good job? Colonel Nicholson thought that he should do so because he bore a professional responsibility to work to the best of his ability. We think it perfectly proper for a doctor to do his best at all times including the medical treatment of an enemy soldier, why hold engineers to a different standard? Few films challenge the viewer as much as this one did. Here is another great work from that much maligned decade, the 1950's. If this decade was so vapid why did it produce so many great novels, films and theatrical works? Why do we continue to imitate its creations?
  
  
• A timeless classic
  By A3CWH6VKCTJAD on 2000-12-05
  This film is a giant in a very crowded genre of WWII movies released in the 1940's and 50's. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won seven including Best Picture, Best Actor (Alec Guinness) and Best Director (David Lean). The story is atypical of the WWII genre. Instead of showing the glory of battle, it presents the psychological and physical torment of life in a POW camp. It focuses on the human story, a story of principles, will and courage in the face of adversity.

  Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) is the commander of a group of prisoners of war interned in a Japanese camp in Southeast Asia during WWII. He is told by the camp commander, Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) that the prisoners will build a bridge across the river Kwai to complete the Japanese railroad that will supply their troops. Saito orders that officers will work beside enlisted men, to which Nicholson objects because it is a violation of the rules of war agreed to at the Geneva Convention. This leads to a standoff, a test of wills that is ultimately won by the irrationally stubborn Brit after many days in solitary confinement.

  The result is that Nicholson agrees to build the bridge on his own terms, using his own engineers. This seems to be insane, since building the bridge would aid the enemy. However, Nicholson's has a high-minded goal that transcends the war. He wants to build a bridge that will endure as a testament to the superiority of the British civilization, especially since it will be built under such extreme circumstances. He also feels that building a bridge of which they can be proud will boost the moral of the men while living under such oppressive conditions.

  The psychological aspect of the film is fascinating. Saito's personal sense of honor does not allow him to use the brutality necessary to coerce the prisoners into building the bridge properly. Ironically, once he succumbs to defeat in the battle of wills against Nicholson, he gets everything he wants. By losing, he actually wins.

  David Lean's direction is outstanding, portraying the harshness of the prison camp without sacrificing the subtlety of the psychological aspect of the film. Lean gives us enough character development to bind us to all the competing characters, making us sympathetic even to Saito, the camp commander.

  The acting in this film is superb. Alec Guinness is magnificent as the idealistic and staunchly principled Colonel. This was probably his best role in a stellar career. William Holden is also terrific as the sardonic and cowardly sailor that fate continued to throw into situations that required him to become a reluctant hero. Sessue Hayakawa delivers a masterful performance, as the hapless commander who succumbs to Nicholson's iron will.

  The ending evokes conflicting emotions, as it is simultaneously ironic, triumphant and devastating. At the end, the viewer is not sure whom to pull for since there is no neat way to resolve the collision of converging forces. This makes the film even more interesting.

  This film is a timeless classic. I rated it a 10/10. I'm looking forward to seeing it on the newly released DVD.
  
  

• A Must: Grand Scale Epic Depicting Tragic Nature of Humans
  By ABO2ZI2Y5DQ9T on 2002-02-02
  Though William Holden is given the first billing of the credits, "The Bridge on the River Kwai" is without doubt Alec Guinness's film. And the film's setting may lead you to think this masterpiece as a "war movie"; that is not exactly true.

  "The Bridge on the River Kwai" begins with intense battle of will. As British Colonel Nicholson (Guinness) refuses to join the work of building a bridge, Japanese Colonel Saito tests his will in the most extreme ways. But many keen-eyed viewers will soon realize that both have something in common, which finally draws each other after Nicholson's long, long suffering under the hot sun in Southeast Asia. Ironically, Nicholson finds himself deeply involved in nearly impossible task of building a bridge more than he actually knows. But to what purpose?

  As this storyline shows, "The Bridge on the River Kwai" brilliantly works as a fable, and the superb acting of Alec Guinness, whom younger generations probably remember as Obi-Wan of "Star Wars," will rivet your eyes on the screen. The cinematograhy is also great, capturing the humid climate of the place to give the film authentic atmosphere. But most of all, this is made before CGI became popular in moviemaking -- just imagine they had to make all of those production designs!

  Looking back from now, David Lean's epic-scale story seems to lose its power in the latter half of the film, in which Holden's character tries to destroy the bridge. His character is a little unconvincing, compared with Guinness and Hayakawa, and Lean, I am afraid, stretched the film too long to depict Holden's deadly mission though his trek in the jungle itself is an engrossing one. And you may feel Hayakawa'a performance is a little theatrical -- but keep in mind, he first became an instant star in Hollywood in 1915 with "Cheat" (directed by Cecil B. DeMille, another director who preferred big-scale movies). But don't worry, you soon forget these things.

  "The Bridge on the River Kwai" is a masterpiece that only golden age of Hollywood could produce; not flashy special effects but talented actors with dedicated crew made it possible to exist. Watch it.

  Pierre Boulle, a French writer who wrote the original book of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" based on his own experience during the WW2 and his days in prison camp, is also the author of "Planet of the Apes." The latter book (and the original film, to some extent) is also intelligent and iroical as well as David Lean's masterpiece. Try it.
  
  

• Excellent Character Study
  By A3P6XT8Y1FEF3 on 2006-01-07
  Most war movies are either pro-war or against it. This film refuses to get bogged down in politics. Instead, it's a character study, which happens to be set during a war.
  
  The movie primarily focuses on the story of two men. One, portrayed by Alec "Obi Wan" Guinness is a British officer. The second, played by William Holden, is an American POW. The two cross paths briefly in a Japanese prison camp, before Holden escapes.
  
  The character played by Guinness is a prim and proper soldier. His men surrender to the Japanese, and are then put to work building a bridge. Guinness bristles when the Japanese colonel expects his officers to do manual labor, and the two have a stand off as Guinness expects to be treated by the rules of the Geneva Convention. Eventually, Guinness wins a contest of wills and convinces his men to build a bridge that will show the Japanese the proper way to do things.
  
  Once Holden escapes, he is recruited by British commandos. Their purpose is to find the POW camp and destroy the bridge, thus preventing the Japanese from completing their railroad.
  
  David Lean directed this film, and he was a master of epic films. Along with this, he also made "Dr. Zhivago" and "Lawrence of Arabia." This film is definitely an epic, clocking in at around three hours. Compared to modern war films, some people might find it boring. There's not a lot of action. Instead, the movie is built around the characters and strong acting from Guinness, Holden, James Donald, Jack Hawkins, and Sessue Hayakawa. This movie doesn't reward you lots of explosions and blood, but instead it builds the characters up until the suspense becomes palpable in the last 20 minutes, as you sit on the edge of your chair wondering what each man will do in the end, and what the final result will be.
  
  If you're looking for blood, guts, and glory, this movie probably won't satisfy you. The same is true if you're looking for a political statement. But if you're interested in a good character study of complex men under pressure, you can't go wrong with this classic.
  
  
• "Be Happy in your Work"
  By A20EEWWSFMZ1PN on 2007-02-17
  This is one of those movies worth re-watching. All the things you expect from the British when they are captured by the Japanese and forced to build a bridge.
  
  This movie was shot in Sri Lanka as it best fit the story. However the real river was not the Kwai. That just happened to be a better name for the river. And the real bridge was not wooden.
  
  My favorite character was William Holden as Shears, The only pragmatic charter in the movie. Shears did not have to keep a stiff upper lip or save face or any of that sort of stuff. Where as Alec Guinness as Colonel Nicholson and Sessue Hayakawa as Colonel Saito, had to go face to face with each other's interpretation of honor.
  
  This is best depicted in one statement from Shears:
  
  "You make me sick with your heroics. There's a stench of death about you. You carry it in your pack like the plague. Explosives and L-pills -- they go well together, don't they? And with you it's just one thing or the other: destroy a bridge or destroy yourself. This is just a game, this war! You and Colonel Nicholson, you're two of a kind, crazy with courage. For what? How to die like a gentleman... how to die by the rules... when the only important thing is how to live like a human being."
  
  
  
• The Wise Coward and Foolish Hero Save Face
  By A1QQPIUXWD4G0Z on 2004-08-17
  David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia) directs this 1957 adapatation of Pierre Boulle's (author of 'Planet of the Apes') great World War II novel. The film still stands as one of the greatest war films ever made with superb direction and an all-star cast that provide deep character studies with all the action and tension one expects from a war story.
  
  Confined to an inhospitable Japanese prison camp burried in the jungles of Southeast Asia, a British POW, Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness), is subjected to the cruel torture of the camp commander Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) for choosing to stand for principle as to the treatment of his officers. Saito needs competent engineers and laborers to build a railroad tressle bridge on a tight schedule and, although at first infuriated by Nicholson's stiff upper lip and low opinion of Japanese culture, he begins to exploit Nicholson's ego to compel him to build the bridge properly and on time. Thinking that he will show the 'inferior' Japanese how much better the English are in engineering, Nicholson becomes obsessed with building the enemy bridge and oblivious to the treasonous implications of such an act. In the mean time, a cowardly American POW (William Holden) escapes to safety only to be later coerced by the English to return and sabotage the bridge in a commando raid. Leading the British demolition expert (Jack Hawkins), Holden's character returns to the bridge for the final showdown.
  
  This is a brilliant war film with a plot that's primarily character driven as opposed to action driven: the tension comes from the clash of wills between all of the characters as opposed to a non-stop action clash of arms. The film also seems to deal with the uncertain consequences of bravery and cowardice in the sense that, although Nicholson at first bravely stands for his principles, he blindly becomes a suppliant to Colonel Saito's plans to finish the bridge. On the other hand, although Holden's character is the epidemy of cowardice and self-interest, it is he who becomes one of the true heroes of the story. The film in essence follows the story by Pierre Boulle but, as is almost always the case, the book is better. In the book, there is no flinching to Nicholson's unrelenting snobbishness and utter stupidity and he does not 'wake up' at the last minute to fall on the detonator: the mission fails. Also, William Holden's character does not exist. There is no American ex-POW guiding the commandos back to the bridge.
  
  This film is very well directed and has great camera work. Filmed in Sri Lanka, the great cinematography captures every ray of heat and drop of humidity one finds in the dense jungle. The acting is top knotch all the way around. Finally, who can forget the timeless whistling tune sung by the POWs. This is another great drama that should be in every war film lover's collection.
  
  
• The fine line between idealism and insanity
  By A2CW9IQAPFEYLM on 2005-11-10
  Crackerjack entertainment - with an insightful "war is crazy" message to go along with it. A company of British soldiers is captured by the Japanese and forced to build a bridge over the Kwai. A battle of wills develops between the Japanese commander (played by Sessue Hayakawa) and the British one (Alec Guinness) over officers' rights; Guinness wins out and virtually takes over command of the camp, getting the bridge built with typical British efficiency.
  
  Meanwhile, an American prisoner (William Holden) escapes and returns with a commando unit set on blowing the bridge up. Guinness's ego has so taken over that when he spots the explosive charges and wires on the bridge, and suddenly realizes what's about to happen, he actually tries to stop it from blowing up. But too late: the bridge is blown to smithereens and so are Guinness and Holden. War's madness.
  
  Guinness's slide into insanity is slow and subtle - and totally believable. He will not give the Japanese the satisfaction ever of assuming they can control or intimidate the British; after all, there are rules in war and "gentlemen" play by the rules. Gentlemen also perform to the best of their abilities, no matter what the task - even if it means building a bridge for the enemy. But he's in this game too deeply and his insanity is a loss of reality.
  
  Everything works in this picture, with the biggest winner being British fortitude (though American practicality deserves a pat on the back, too). At first we are caught up in Guinness's seemingly noble actions, all that admirable British stiff upper lip behavior, and when the truth hits us, it's devastating. That's because David Lean's direction is perfect; he's like the poker player who knows he's got the winning Ace up his sleeve and timing is everything. The movies won a fistful of Oscars and deservedly so.
  
  
• Still Stirring Wartime Adventure and Compelling Psychological Drama Exhibit David Lean at His Peak
  By A13E0ARAXI6KJW on 2006-05-30
  After years of more intimate British films and just discovering the joys of location shooting with 1955's "Summertime", master director David Lean made his first actual widescreen epic with 1957's "The Bridge on the River Kwai", an acknowledged classic that deserves attention from a new generation of viewers and another visit from the rest of us who love perfectly executed films by an unparalleled craftsman. Recently, this movie has been overshadowed by his 1962 follow-up epic, the comparatively more elaborate "Lawrence of Arabia", but this richly textured WWII-set adventure is special enough on its own terms. While it has its share of action and suspense presented in exacting detail, the film is even more resonant as a psychological drama about the test of wills between mission-driven officers amid the perils of wartime survival.
  
  The plot takes place in 1943 when after surrendering in Singapore, Col. Nicholson marches his ragged British company into a Japanese prisoner work camp in the Burmese jungle (this is where the famous whistling of "Colonel Bogey March" is first heard). The erudite Col. Saito runs the camp and demands that the new prisoners build a massive railway bridge, a critical juncture between Rangoon and Malaysia. In a classic stand-off, Nicholson finally forces Saito to respect Geneva Convention and not allow his officers to do manual labor on the construction. Upon his ironic Pyrrhic victory, Nicholson slowly descends into the madness of seeing the completed bridge as a potential morale booster for his battle-weary men. Meanwhile, shortly after Nicholson's arrival, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Shears escapes from the camp only to be later blackmailed into joining a British commando mission led by do-or-die Maj. Warden and hesitant Lt. Joyce with the sole goal of blowing up the bridge. Through Peter Taylor's thoughtful film editing, the movie breathlessly alternates between the parallel storylines of the bridge construction and the jungle commando mission until the exciting climax.
  
  Lean's accomplishments are many with this memorable film - the authenticity of the Burmese jungle locations (filmed in Sri Lanka), the seamless integration of the two storylines, the masterful handing of the final scenes, and in particular, the gradual metamorphosis of Nicholson from a by-the-book British officer to Saito's willing collaborator. A frequent participant in Lean's films, Alec Guinness gives his career-best performance as Nicholson providing all sorts of unexpected shades to his complex characterization. As Shears, William Holden does what he did best in the 1950's, concurrently exuding natural bravado and a conflicted soul and then adding a layer of cynicism that dares to challenge the viewer to support him. The 68-year old Sessue Hayakawa came out of retirement to play Saito and delivers a subtle performance of unbending discipline and pained humiliation. Jack Hawkins and Geoffrey Horne lend sturdy support as Warden and Joyce respectively. With the same expert eye he lent to "Summertime", Jack Hildyard provides the superbly expressive and composed cinematography. Michael Wilson and Carl Foreman, both blacklisted at the time, wrote the brilliantly developed screenplay. This is essential viewing.
  
  The two-disc 2000 Limited Edition DVD set has a pristine print transfer with great sound making the entire experience feel surprisingly fresh upon viewing. There is a nearly hour-long documentary on Disc Two, "The Making of The Bridge on the River Kwai", produced for the DVD and full of intriguing insight into the production logistics. There are a couple of shorter featurettes produced around the time of the film's original release, the first is a black-and-white teaser for the film itself and the second a rather pedestrian lesson in Film 101 produced by USC grad students and introduced by Holden. Director John Milius provides a respectful tribute to the film in another short.
  
  
• A Classic Film
  By on 2001-03-12
  I have to say, I have just read a review of the film by Geoff Puterbaugh. There is no word to describe it but insulting! This film is the perfect example of the British 'stiff upper lip' and the integrity of one commanding officer who would risk his own life in order to save the lives and spirit of his battallion, even under the brutality of the Japanese high command in Burma. The Geneva Convention didn't only ban officers from manual labour, it also dismissed any form of slave labour. This film gives insight into the harshness of the Japanese labour camps and the force a Japanese commanding officer is willing to use on Allied soldiers to save his own endangered life. This film is a stark reminder of the lengths a truly noble man will go to in order to save his men from becoming slaves to the Imperial forces. Guinness was superbly cast, and truly deserved the Oscar he won. (MAGGY SAID HE'S SOUND)!

  This picture is a credit to anyone who served in the Allied forces in the Far East during WWII, and it is a credit to (the master) David Lean's brilliant filmography....

  this film is a must buy.
  
  

• A Masterpiece From David Lean
  By A1J2931UBBJPXM on 2001-06-10
  Within the Conflict that was World War II, there were many more smaller, more personal conflicts which, when added up, made a significant impact on the outcome of the War; though trying to explain them, or war in general, is like attempting to decipher the indecipherable. In "The Bridge On the River Kwai," director David Lean takes you deep into the Burmese jungle to examine some of these deeper conflicts, and the effects of extraordinary circumstances on some ordinary men: British Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) is a man of rigid principles and ideals, to whom acquiescence in any quarter is not an option; Japanese Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) lives by an inflexible code of conduct and is adamant in his adherence to it, through which he maintains his dignity and honor; American Navy Commander Shears (William Holden) just wants to make it through the war alive and get back home.

  As an integral part of their war effort, the Japanese have ordered a strategic bridge to be built across the Kwai River to facilitate the transport of troops and equipment. This monumental task has been given to Saito, the commandant of an allied prisoners-of-war camp; and not only must he build it, it must be completed by a specific date. And time is short. Toward that end, Saito has pressed into service every prisoner, including officers, whom according to the Geneva Convention of 1864 (which established rules for the humane treatment of prisoners of war), are to be excluded from any manual labor. When a fresh contingent of British prisoners arrives to bolster his complement of workers, Saito finds himself up against a formidable opponent, Nicholson, who immediately informs Saito that his officers will not work, in accordance with the rules of the Geneva Convention. And it's the beginning of another war-- a war of wills-- between two men determined to win at any cost. To Saito, this is more than just another assignment, it's an obligation, and failure is not an option. If he does not succeed in having the bridge built-- and on time-- he will be forced to take his own life, in accordance with his own moral code. Nicholson, on the other hand, is unyielding to the point of madness, and will die before he accedes to Saito's demands.

  Meanwhile Shears has managed by some miracle to escape and has made his way back to Ceylon. And he's home free-- after some recuperation time at Mount Lavinia Hospital, he'll be on his way back to the states. Or so he thinks. But unbeknownst to him, the British are aware of the bridge being built on the Kwai, and are planning a commando raid to destroy it. And Shears has something they need: First hand knowledge of the precise location, and of the jungle through which he made his miraculous escape. Subsequently, the Navy agrees to "loan" Shears to the British, to aid them with their mission. So instead of a ticket home, Shears is faced with another arduous trek through an uncompromising jungle, all for a mission of which the odds against success are nearly incalculable.

  From the beginning of the film to it's spectacular climax, Lean builds and maintains a subtle tension that underscores the drama, which makes this a compelling, unforgettable motion picture. Lean is the Master of epic films such as this, filling them with sweeping visuals while integrating them with the emotional involvement of his characters perfectly. Lean knows what he wants and how to get it, and he takes a terrific story (and this definitely is one) and tells it by using every bit of space--visually and audibly-- at this disposal. And most importantly, he knows how to get the kind of performances from his actors to put it all across so convincingly and believably.

  Alec Guinness deservedly received the Oscar for Best Actor for his role of Nicholson, whom he embodies from the inside out, disappearing so utterly into the character that the actor is forgotten, leaving nothing but the real man in his stead. It's a superlative piece of acting from one of the truly great actors of all times. Holden, as well, delivers an outstanding performance as Shears, capturing that somewhat embittered, off-handed sarcasm and resignation of a man trapped by circumstances beyond his control, who nevertheless does what he can to make the most of it, while awaiting the first opportunity for escape that affords itself. Holden's work here is Award-worthy, as well, but was destined to forever remain in the shadows of what is probably the definitive Guinness performance. And what a rare treat, having two performances of this caliber in a single film.

  Other notable performances include Hayakawa, entirely convincing as the tormented Saito, and Jack Hawkins, as demolition expert Major Warden, the absolute personification of the undaunted British stiff-upper-lip.

  The supporting cast includes James Donald (Clipton), Geoffrey Horne (Joyce), Percy Herbert (Grogan), Ann Sears (Nurse) and Andre Morell (Green). Beautifully filmed and expertly crafted and delivered, "The Bridge On the River Kwai" is one of David Lean's masterpieces. It's an emotionally involving, dramatic action/adventure that offers some real insight into the determination and tenacity of the human spirit. This film (especially the ending) is one you will never forget; a classic in every sense of the word, it exemplifies the magic of the movies.
  
  

• "Madness... Madness" and Yet
  By A26JGAM6GZMM4V on 2003-07-16
  Directed by David Lean, this film focuses on an attempt by a team led by Major Warden (Jack Hawkins) to destroy a strategically important bridge over the Kwai river in Burma in 1943, a bridge built by British prisoners during World War II. An epic in every possible sense, the inhumanities of the Japanese are probably underplayed somewhat so that we can focus on two essential conflicts of will, one between Japanese Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) and British Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) and the other between Warden and Shears (William Holden) who is forced to join Warden's team and thereby avoid a court martial for impersonating a U.S. naval officer. It should also be noted that Nicholson struggles with a conflict between his obligations as a British officer (i.e. to resist his enemy in any and every possible way) and his determination to demonstrate British superiority over the Japanese captors. Colonel Saito has his own conflicts, notably between imposing his will on Nicholson and the British troops and getting the bridge built. At the heart of this magnificent film are several moral dilemmas which help to explain why we become so emotionally involved with its narrative.

  One of the many pleasures of seeing this film (especially in its DVD format) is the juxtaposition of lush tropical settings with the raw emotions of those who are building the bridge and those who are determined to destroy it. I am also struck by how carefully Lean develops the semi-adversarial relationships between Nicholson and Saito and between Warden and Shears. Although "Madness... Madness" is frequently quoted as an evaluation of those relationships, I disagree. Saito has been ordered to built the bridge, Nicholson agrees to accomplish that task but on his terms, Warden has been assigned to destroy it, and Shears (who considers all this "madness" but plays a key role in achieving that objective) lacks the circumspection which Lean enables us to have. Of course, war itself is madness...and yet there is (or at least can be) a redeeming if misguided integrity in how adversaries conduct themselves amidst that madness.

  The excellence of this film was acknowledged by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, receiving in 1957 seven Oscars for  Best Actor (Guinness). Best Adapted Screenplay (Pierre Boulle), Best Cinematography (Jack Hildyard), Best Director (Lean), Best Editing (Peter Taylor), and Best Score (Malcolm Arnold). Years later, it was ranked #13 among "America's Greatest Movies" by the American Film Institute. I consider it ludicrous that Gone With the Wind (#4) is ranked higher than The Bridge on the River Kwai by the AFI. For those with a sensitive palate, the former is junk food whereas the latter is gourmet cuisine.
  
  

• One of the Greats
  By A6YW1RSIM9CEF on 2006-01-30
  This is a masterpiece by almost any measure. It achieves the highest level of the motion picture art form in terms of cinematography, acting, and musical scoring. The storyline carries itself, keeping the audience glued to the screen as the plot unfolds. The standoff between the Japanese and British colonels is especially memorable. I've read that the Producer (Sam Spiegel) and the Director (David Lean) spared no expense and were uncompromising in the making of this film. It shows. The results are superb.
  
  The only negative thing I can say is that, if you're looking for a happy ending, you might be disappointed. The supplementary material on the DVD is excellent, especially the "Appreciation" by John Milius.
  
  
• David Lean's classic. The don't make 'em like this anymore.
  By A3NUDOCH7LCYMZ on 2001-01-20
  There used to be a very special kind of movie. It was the one that seldom got beyond the story board, because of its cost, cast or complexity. But every once in a while, some brilliant producer would hook up with an equally brilliant director and they would figure out a way to make their vision a reality. If they were lucky, in the process they would produce a timeless classic. I can think of no better way to describe "The Bridge On The River Kwai".

  This film is really quite remarkable, for its scope, its setting, its cast, and its story. It is sad in a way to think that movies such as this will likely never be made again, at least not with cameras as much as with computers. What you see in this film is as close as you will likely get to experiencing the lost art of movie-making, the way the best used to do it before the era of technology and the allure of its digital slight of hand. The editing of the film's final minutes is a study in and of itself of how brilliant David Lean could be in the cutting room and behind the camera. Alec Guinness gives an Oscar winning performance, with no scene better than his last in this film. To be able to watch this motion picture in its restored splendor, accompanied by a remarkably effective digital theater sound is quite a treat. I am always moved by this film, a result with which I am sure Sir David and Sir Alec would be well pleased.
  
  

• A True Classic
  By A3LZPBKIYL0LC9 on 2002-02-23
  Last night I enjoyed the pleasure of watching "The Bridge on the River Kwai" for the first time, and it was an experience I won't soon forget. David Lean crafts a visual masterpiece; the stunning landscapes and awe-inspiring scale of the bridge are utterly amazing. Character-development is this film's other primary strength; each of the main characters provides a unique portrayal of pride and its effects on man, encouraging the viewere to think as he/she is entertained.

  The film is moderately-paced throughout. There isn't an abundance of action for today's impatient audiences, but the film never becomes boring. The second disc features an abundance of extras for a movie of this age, including an excellent one-hour documentary. Overall, this is a great purchase for any fan of classic cinema.
  
  

• "Be happy in your work"
  By A3CFT5LHFCB46K on 2002-04-06
  In 1957, a movie was premiered that was the most awe-inspiring of its time. It was a massive project, involving a collaboration of several countries and the building of a bridge. It was the film that put director David Lean on the map and brought home Best Picture and six other Oscars at the Academy Awards. Although Lean and producer Sam Spiegel later topped themselves with "Lawrence of Arabia" and their first film's flaws have since become apparent, "The Bridge on the River Kwai is still a landmark of motion pictures and still awes people (Major spoilers ahead).

  "Madness! Madness!" The last words said in the film by Colonel Clipton can be used to sum up the film. Most of the major characters were mad in a way, but some more so than the others. Let's take Alec Guinness as Colonel Nicholson, one of his most renowned performances. Nicholson is a stiff upper lip officer, who believes that by building a `proper' bridge, he is helping the future and providing the prisoners with better work and self-esteem. He doesn't seem to take into account that this bridge will be used by the Japanese in Burma against the allies and that men are dying on the River Kwai. There are three other main characters in the story. Shears, played by William Holden, Colonel Saito, played by Sessue Hayakawa and Major Warden, played by Jack Hawkins. Shears, from what we can tell, doesn't want anything to do with the war or the P.O.W camp. He bribes officers and, when he escapes, tries to weasel his way out of going back. As an actor, Holden has always been underrated, yet this movie will have you asking why. Hayakawa was 68 years old when he was cast as Saito, yet he doesn't look or act like it. Unlike Nicholson, he only builds the bridge because he has to. Like Shears, he does his duty because of what would happen if he did otherwise. The third character, Warden, is different on the other hand. He sees the war as a game, playing with his plastic explosives as if he's a kid with firecrackers. He also believes only in the mission, carrying around suicide pills should anyone have to be killed.

  Speaking of the River Kwai, the actual story was worse than it is here and this is one of only two problems I have with the story. Hundreds, if not thousands, of prisoners of war died along this railway from causes such as malnutrition, dysentery, malaria, gangrene, beatings, exhaustion and torture. And some just wanted to die. This sugarcoating of the actual story is one of the most controversial parts of the movie, but what did you expect? This is a Hollywood Epic. The other problem with the film is lack of focus. We leave the Nicholson-Saito story just when we are to decide whether to cheer or boo Guinness so events involving the commandos can be fitted. Both are major stories, yet the producers can't decide which is more important.

  The Colonel Bogey March has become one of the most renowned scenes in film history. Originally, however, the song was almost not used because it had some rude lyrics. So, it was decided to whistle it. The scenes where the march is first used seem to foreshadow other coming events. The P.O.Ws march past "the graveyard" and the hospital where the sick are kept. They are like new recruits marching past battle hardened veterans as they go to war. Shears remarks to Corporal Weaver, "We're going to be a busy pair of gravediggers". The second time the march is used is near the end, as the gang marches across the bridge just before the commandos strike. The march, as happy as it is, is an omen of what is to come next and what happens is not always that good.

  "There's always the unexpected". Filmmaker John Milius (Who is interviewed on the Limited Edition DVD) once said that the commando mission in this movie is the best he has ever seen on film. Why? This movie follows "Murphy's Law" or everything that can go wrong will go wrong. The team parachutes off course and one of them gets killed. Then they have to take an alternate route because of Japanese Patrols. Then Warden gets shot because the youngest member hesitated at killing a soldier, delaying them further. However, they continue on and on. They finally reach the bridge, marveling at the quality of the structure and the apparent comradeship of the prisoners with the Japanese. They think that, from there, it's easy sailing. However, here's Murphy's Law again, for nature has some tricks up her sleeve. Also, the same officer who got Warden injured is still unprepared for killing when the moment comes.

  Ironically, the person who destroys the bridge is the same man who advocated its construction. Nicholson's actions, however, still spark debate to this day. Many believe that he would never do such a thing and that he must have been knocked unconscious we he did what he did. However, what about his last line "What have I done?" In my view,
  though he loved the bridge like it was his own child, he realizes the enormity of what he has been doing and that he must murder his child.

  In the end, the bridge is destroyed, but for what cost? Everyone involved is either dead or doomed to die. Their fates have been sealed. On the other hand, life has survived. The first shot we see in the movie is of a bird floating around in the sky. This represents nature's tranquillity, before it is disrupted by the machines of war. The last shot we see is of the same bird and once again is tranquillity. Only this time, it is a return to peace. Men may have kicked aside life in their quest to build and destroy the bridge, but they are just temporary visitors. Nature is a permanent resident.
  
  

• Lawrence of Arabia (Single Disc Edition)
• The Great Escape (2-Disc Collector's Set)
• Doctor Zhivago (Two-Disc Special Edition)
• The Guns of Navarone (Special Edition)
• Patton