When British P.O.W.s build a vital railway bridge in enemy-occupied Burma, Allied ... more
commandos are assigned to destroy it in David Lean's epic World War II adventure THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI. Spectacylarly produced, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI captured the imagination of the public and won seven 1957 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Alec Guinness), and Best Director. Even it's theme song, an old WWI whistling tune, the 'Colonel Bogey March', became a massive worldwide hit. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI continues today as one of the most memorable cinematic experiences of all time.
Production Year: 1970 - War - Director: Brian G. Hutton - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Carroll O'Connor, Donald Sutherland, Don Rickles, Gavin MacLeod
Advantages: : A war film that isn't a war film!! Disadvantages: None
BRIDGE ON THE RIVERKWAI
1957
DIRECTED BY DAVID LEAN
A REVIEW ON THE 2000 COLUMBIA TRISTAR DVD VERSION
INTRODUCTION
I feel as I start to review this film, that I should get on my knees, bow rapidly with my arms outstretched in front of me, while shouting "We are not worthy"!!
What rights have I, a retired, (rapidly) aging grandmother, to review one of the greatest films of all time?
I will allow myself the privilege of doing so under the excuse of adding it to the reviews of all the other films from Sir David Lean that I have written recently.
I have to make a large confession here, I used to hate the film!! The reason being that I 'didn't do war films'. I think it was probably the thought of the film I didn't like rather than the film itself, as a teenager in the 1960's ...
Advantages: Good war film Disadvantages: Full of propaganda
The British at war, again. Actually in The Bridge Over The
RiverKwai the British are no longer at war as such although
the prisoners try to carry out their war to the best of their
abilities.
This is a true if dramatised tale of the deadly and infamous
Burma railway and in particular one portion of it at the RiverKwai.
Having captured thousands of Allied forces in Burma and
neighbouring countries, the Japanese force the prisoners to
build a railway through the hot, steamy and disease ridden
jungle without the aid of the Geneva Convention. That is the
reality. The film strays a little from the truth.
The British stiff upper lip is provided by the master in
portraying this trait, Alec Guinness, as he and selected
officers supervise the building of the bridge. To begin with
the troops do their best to ...
Advantages: excellent acting, great story, thought-provoking Disadvantages: historically inaccurate
bit every time I watch it.
However, I still believe this WWII epic is one of the greatest films ever made. For a film to provoke the viewer into sympathy and understanding for all cultural viewpoints and plights, in such a topic that most of us are firmly on one side or the other, makes it particularly special. This, combined with the excellent direction by David Lean, the stunning cinematography of the beautiful Sri Lankan (pretending to be Thailand) scenery and one of the greatest, if slightly contrived, endings in cinematic history, makes Bridge On The RiverKwai, without a doubt one of the great classics.
My DVD was a promotion attached to Classic War Movie Magazine, which was an absolute bargain at £1.99. On Amazon it is currently £12.99.
Extras on my DVD version include:
* Restored wide-screen feature.
* Animated menu ...
Set in Burma during World War II, the story follows British P.O.Ws forced to build a large bridge for the Japanese, while Allied commandos are sent to destroy it. Winner of seven Academy Awards.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Best Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced Or Published 1958 (Michael Wilson, Carl Foreman)
OSCAR
Best Actor In A Leading Role 1958 (Alec Guinness)
DVD Description
One of the all-time great war films, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI is yet another classic from the marvellous David Lean (LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, DR. ZHIVAGO). The film is an outstanding, psychologically complex adaptation of Pierre Boulle's 1952 novel, a classic story of English POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. British and American intelligence officers conspire to blow up the structure, but Col. Nicholson (a fabulous Alec Guinness), the commander who supervised the bridge's construction, has acquired a sense of pride in his creation and tries to foil their plans. Although credited to screenwriter Carl Foreman, the script was actually written by blacklisted writer Michael Wilson. The film garnered seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Guinness). The climax is one of the great finales in film history.
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An excellent selection of vintage war films, perfect for an avid fan of war films, such as myself. Also ideal for anyone who wants to get a taste of this genre.
May have been better to replace 'The Cruel Sea' with a more classic film such 'The Great Escape' or 'The Guns of Navorone'. (*)
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