The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Genre: War / Drama
Duration: 161 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / United States
Directed by: David Lean
Stars: William Holden, Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa
IMDb score:
8,1 (252.504)
Releasedate: 11 October 1957
The Bridge on the River Kwai plot
"It spans a whole new world of entertainment!"
During World War II, British prisoners of war are tasked by the Japanese to build a bridge in a jungle in Asia. Led by Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness), the prisoners achieve a moral victory over the Japanese by taking control of the construction. What they do not know, however, is that an Allied mission is planning to destroy the bridge.
Actors and actresses
Cmdr. Shears
Col. Nicholson
Maj. Warden
Col. Saito
Maj. Clipton
Lt. Joyce
Col. Green
Capt. Reeves
Major Hughes
Grogan
Reviews & comments
Filmkriebel
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- 10326 messages
- 4837 votes
If that isn't an impressive film. What a location and what a grandeur on display here : having an entire bridge remade somewhere in Sri Lanka for the needs of a movie... I was a bit apprehensive about the length but that turned out to be unfounded. The film is truly captivating from start to finish. In the first part it is mainly a battle between military ethos where soldiers want to be treated as soldiers and not as slaves. Colonel Nicholson gives the "Jap in charge" a demonstration of willpower and convinces him that working together pays off. That was vain of Nicholson, but in the end it comes down to collaboration, something that will be exploited towards the end.
The second part focuses more on the operation that is being set up to blow up the bridge. I think Indiana Jones is a laughing stock compared to the whole jungle trek, which sizzles with exotic splendor thanks to its flawless cinematography. Especially that scene at the waterfall with those flying bats is pure viewing pleasure and of course the finale with the train, but the absurdity and madness of the war also resound loudly (Madness! Madness!). This is one of the best movies from the 50's but I feel this is more like a wartime adventure movie than a real war movie.
Translated from Dutch · View original
FlyingGustman81
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- 126 messages
- 723 votes
Beautiful movie. Despite the long duration. Beautiful scenery and good acting.
Translated from Dutch · View original
eRCee
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- 13463 messages
- 1986 votes
A truly irritating film, full of British breast-beating and Asian caricatures. Our hero Colonel Nicholson's great aim is to maintain subordination. Because imagine that the common man sees his superiors working. Sure, the ending ironizes all this again and that makes it bearable, but it's also a bit easy. And the point still stands that the Japanese are portrayed as being retarded. In any case, the whole camp life does not come across as credible. From the arrival of the battalion we see no one die. First the British can sabotage unconcernedly and then they work under the guidance of their own lieutenants that it is a delight. The American's storyline is undeveloped and half-hearted. Stylistically, I liked the Cinemascope widescreen. The colors are less and the dissolves go very fast. A very striking moment is when the explosive charge is applied at the bridge. This must take place in the dark of the evening but you can see the sunlight reflecting right into the screen. They clearly used a few filters, but the effect is quite poor, especially if you compare it with the fantastic night shots that are possible nowadays. Anyway, I didn't think it was much and after three films David Lean has not scored higher than 3*.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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