The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

" I Hate the British!!!"

Col. Saito, commandant of the work camp in the Burmese jungle, doesn't particularly like the English. According to him, they have dishonored themselves by surrendering, "I hate the British!" he screams.

Saito hates them but finds himself in the difficult and humiliating position of needing the stiff-necked Colonel Nicholson's assistance to build his train track and his bridge. He threatens and tries to break Nicholson, all to no available. Nicholson would literally prefer death to compromising on his principles. His principles? That officers not work along with enlisted personnel. Officers are for leadership and command not menial labor.

Without Nicholson's cooperation, Saito will fail, his bridge will not be built and he will be obliged to commit suicide. Saito blinks and gives Nicholson what he demands. Nicholson and many of his officers and men--in an effort to maintain discipline and purpose--throw themselves fully into the project and build a bridge far better than the Japanese ever would have. Nicholson has, in fact, become an unwitting collaborator with the Japanese. Nicholson is a heroic figure but his courage doesn't mitigate the fact that he is helping the enemy.

'Bridge on the River Kwai' is a terrific film. It was adapted from the book by Pierre Boulle...a man who, himself, wasn't in love with the British...as a matter of fact, he may have detested the Brits as much as his character, Saito. To Boulle, Nicholson is the archetypal British colonial officer, brave, stubborn and arrogant in equal measure. His attitudes are those of colonialism...the White Man's Burden and all that. This is not the way Lean formats this film but, nevertheless, both the book and movie are terrific.

Ron Braithwaite, author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico December 10, 2008

The Bridge Over The River Kwai

Great W.W.2 movie. With William Holden a great actor. I sure do miss him. He puts these new actors to shame. Good movie for any war buff to add to his or hers collection. October 22, 2008

"Whistle While You Work. . ."

"Bridge On the River Kwai" is one of those masterpiece movies. Sir Alec Guiness is a standout, as is the Japanese commander. The tension builds artfully throughout the duration of the movie as cruelties escalate and the prisoners try to outsmart their captors. Perserverence is the name of the game and William Holden perserveres and injects his own dramatic style into the bargaining. We finally get the pay off and it is a doozie. BOTRK deserves all of its academy awards and more. September 21, 2008

The bridge...

An excellent movie. It gives all aspects of the war;those who are gung-ho,those that didn't care for the war, the captured, the japanese,and those tortured. It is a movie that makes you think and just be entertained. I can recommend this movie for everyone. There is a bit of violence but it is done with taste.

Ps.There is a book called Ship of Ghosts. It is the true story of this movie. August 22, 2008

Unhappy with video shaking

The movie is just fantastic.

I have bought several DVD's released by Columbia. All classic movies seem to have the same problem this DVD has. The picture has a soft shake.

The movie is great but I just wish the DVD had been mastered properly. July 17, 2008

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