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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, Sunday afternoon films (remember this is before VHS or ... Read review
Based on the true story of the building of a bridge on the Burma railway by British ... more
prisoners-of-war held under a savage Japanese regime in World War II,The Bridge on the River Kwai(1957) is one of the greatest war films ever made. The film received se...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Based on the true story of the building of a bridge on the Burma railway by British ... more
prisoners-of-war held under a savage Japanese regime in World War II,The Bridge on the River Kwai(1957) is one of the greatest war films ever made. The film received se...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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 captur...
The Bridge On The River Kwai: In this World War 2 adventure, British P.O.W.s build a vital ... more
railway bridge in enemy occupied Burma, while Allied commandos are assigned to destroy it. Spectacularly produced by David Lean, this epic film won seven 1957 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Alec Guinness), and Best Director.The Guns Of Navarone: Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and David Niven are Allied saboteurs assigned an impossible mission: infiltrate an impregnable Nazi-held island and destroy the two enormous long-range field guns that prevent the rescue of 2,000 trapped British soldiers.Das Boot: Das Boot (The Boat) is a graphic and gripping tale that follows the daring patrol of U-96, one of the famed German U-Boats known as 'The Grey Wolves'. Prowling the North Atlantic, they challenged the British Navy at every turn. The crew aboard the U-96 is portrayed in a desperate life-and-death struggle, coping with endless hours of claustrophobic boredom at sea, which quickly gives way to terror when confronting the enemy.
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 RIVER KWAI ==
=== 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 ... ...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, ... more
BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI
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, Sunday afternoon films (remember this is before VHS or DVD or Sky) were always Westerns or war films!!
As I got older and watched the film again, I realised just how good it was.
The film was based on the 1952 novel "La Pont de la Riviere Kwai" by former POW, Pierre Boulle, and when it was made in 1957, it was a colossal project,. The film needed a partnership between several countries and the building of the actual bridge - let's face it, that was some hell of a prop!! This was the film that put its director, David Lean, on the map and won Best Picture and six other Academy Awards. This was Lean's first big-budget epic (it cost more than $3 million to make, an awful lot of money in 1957), but certainly not his last. "The Bridge on the River Kwai remains a milestone in cinema history and still has the power to strike awe in those who watch it today.
THE STORY
I am sure that most of you will know of the basis of this film's story.
We are transported to a tropical jungle in Burma in 1943. Here is a Japanese POW camp commanded by Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa).
The majority of the prisoners are British and are being used to build a railroad that will be used to connect Malaysia and Rangoon. The work for the inmates of Camp 16 is to build a bridge over the River Kwai.
As American Commander Shears (the anti-war character in the film) is digging a grave for a former prisoner, we witness a new delegation of captured British soldiers, under the command of Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guiness), come marching into the camp - despite the tired, battered appearance of the men, they march along defiantly whistling the Colonel Bogey March. (This has become one of the most celebrated scenes in film history. The song was almost not used because of the risqué lyrics, so, it was decided have the men whistle it instead.)
When Saito proclaims that, as well as enlisted men, the officers also have to work Col Nicholson sites the Geneva Convention which states that the officers are restricted from manual work, and even under the threat of slaughter he refuses to order his officers to do the manual work. He is a stickler for the rules and is determined to do what he classes to be the right thing, "which one expects of the British soldier".
Because of this obstinacy, Saito has Nicholson and his officers throw into "the ovens" - metal containers that bake under the blistering sun. Despite himself and his officers suffering badly Nicholson refuses a variety of compromises from Saito. Eventually Saito uses the excuse of a Japanese holiday to declare amnesty, and Nicholson agrees that he and his officers will supervise the men's work rather than work themselves.
Nicholson's spell in the ovens does, naturally, have an effect on his mental state. In a manic fashion, he sets about to show the enemy what British pride and resourcefulness are all about, he plans to build a bridge to be proud of. Major Clipton (James Donald), the British medical officer, worries that this could be interpreted as helping the enemy, but Nicholson rests his case on military procedures.
In Ceylon, Shears (who had escaped from the camp), is requested by British Major Warden (Jack Hawkins) to report to a British special operations unit. The British had made the destruction of the bridge on the River Kwai a priority and required Shears knowledge of the area to help. There is no way that Shears wants to do this - but there are underlying factors that leave him no option.
Now we are left with two sides - on one side, is Col. Nicholson, with a manic obsession to leave his legacy and build the bridge. On the other side is Major Warden and the commando unit, Force 316, who are determined to destroy it at all costs.
I'll leave the outcome of the story to be discovered.
THEMES
'The Bridge on the River Kwai' has a definite antiwar theme that is epitomised by last words said in the film by Colonel Clipton (James Donald) "Madness! Madness!". Certainly there is plenty of madness on display, to paraphrase an Orwellian quote - most of the characters are mad, some are madder than others!!
There is also something to be learned from the monumental battle of wits between Nicholson and Saito. It would seem that Saito had the upper hand in the matter and yet it is Nicholson wins, in the end, for one simple reason. Saito had more to lose: the fall from commanding officer to hari-kari.
I think that the strongest theme of the film is the question of collaboration with the enemy. Just how far is it allowable for a prisoner-of-war to cooperate with the enemy in order to survive before it becomes treason? Did Nicholson redeem himself at the end of the film? I'll leave that up to you to decide. This film is brim full of ethical ambiguity. We have both protagonists and antagonists here, but none of them are firmly "good" nor "evil."
AWARDS
As I said earlier this film won a total of Academy Awards:
Best Picture Sam Spiegel received the award for this film, which was his brainchild after he had read Pierre Boulle's novel
Best Director David Lean received this for his brilliantly shot and paced film.
Best Actor Alec Guinness was awarded with an Oscar for his shrewd and intense portrayal of Colonel Nicholson . His acting and his use of body language throughout the film is pure genius.
Best Cinematography. Jack Hildyard deservedly earned an Oscar for this stunningly shot film.
Best Film Editing Peter Taylor
Best Original Music Score a superb and memorable score by Malcolm Arnold.
Best Writing Adapted Screenplay There was initially confusion over who wrote the screenplay. The real writers were Michael Wilson and Carl Foreman, as they were both on the Hollywood blacklist, neither could be credited. So Pierre Boulle was credited for and won the Oscar for adapting his own novel, though he didn't write a word for the film. In fact, he didn't even speak English.
Sessue Hayakawa was nominated as Best supporting actor.
The film was also the winner of 3 BAFTA Awards Best British Film -- David Lean, Sam Spiegel Best Film from any Source -- David Lean, Sam Spiegel Best British Actor -- Alec Guinness
and winner of Winner of 3 Golden Globes Best Motion Picture -- Drama -- David Lean, Sam Spiegel Best Director -- David Lean Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama -- Alec Guinness
Also one nomination Best Supporting Actor -- Sessue Hayakawa
CAST
Alec Guinness: Col. Nicholson William Holden: Shears Jack Hawkins: Maj. Warden Sessue Hayakawa: Col. Saito James Donald: Maj. Clipton Geoffrey Horne: Lt. Joyce Andre Morell: Col. Green Peter Williams: Capt. Greeves John Boxer: Maj. Hughes Percy Herbert: Grogan Harold Goodwin:. Baker / Sick list volunteer Ann Sears: Nurse at Ceylon hospital Heihachiro Okawa: Capt. Kanematsu Keiichiro Katsumoto: Lt. Miura M.R.B. Chakrabandhu: Yai
HOW DID I RATE THE DVD VERSION
The DVD I am reviewing is 2-disc Special Edition, it is also available in a single disc form To DVD has been made to look like a book and is in a strong cardboard cover, in side there are the 2 discs and a small booklet that includes a reprint of the original 1957 souvenir book for the film. This DVD would make a superb present for any film fan or collector.
My only criticism of the DVD was the difficulty in removing the discs from the box - it was almost impossible to get them off the spindles!!
This film is a widescreen version and, considering the age of the film, the transfer is incredible. A few of the shots are a little grainy, but nothing to bad and I felt these actually added to the films atmosphere. The colour and contrast is very good throughout and are both well balanced.
This film was always only in mono or Doby surround, but this version has a '5.1 channel Dolby Digital mix' - now while I don't understand the technology behind that I can confirm that the sound is superb, the scenes in the camp make you feel that you are there On Disc one, apart from the film there is a separate stereo track of the Oscar-winning music score.
The second disc of this package contains a new documentary, created specially for this DVD. This gives a great look behind the scenes and all the problems that were encountered - did you know that David Lean was almost drowned shooting this film? I enjoyed the small piece of film from 1957 - "Rise And Fall Of A Jungle Giant" this was about the actual making of the bridge.
I haven't in all honesty watched all the features on the DVD, which include
The "Making Of" Bridge on the River Kwai (60 minutes) Three Featurettes Photo Gallery "Build The Bridge" Set-top Game Set-top Map and History of Events Isolated Soundtrack Screensavers Original Theatrical Trailer
I will eventually get round to watching it all but I can say the pieces I have seen have all been very interesting.
I would say that this DVD version is probably far better than the version people watched in the cinema over forty years ago!!
Film Length: 155min UK Certification: PG
CONCLUSION
From the fantastic atmosphere that Lean got from shooting in the steamy, colourful, dense tropical jungles of Sri Lanka, to the fantastic well drawn characters and superb acting from the whole cast right through to the astonishing finale, this is a really incredible film and one that has been brought back to life through its transfer to DVD.
And of course, the film would be unthinkable without ithe Colonel Bogey March , which has made 'The Bridge on the River Kwai 'easily the film most readily identifiable by the playing of a few bars of music. Poor old Hitler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Advantages: excellent acting, great story, thought-provoking Disadvantages: historically inaccurate
Bridge On The River Kwai, made in 1957, is an outstanding film, which unlike most WWII films does not choose to take sides, giving the viewer an unique insight into both the Allied and Japanese beliefs, as well as including a strong anti-war undercurrent. The story was based on a 1952 novel "La Pont de la Riviere Kwai" by Pierre Boulle (better known for his screenplay for the Planet Of The Apes), who had been a POW in Thailand. The book won France's ... ...including Best Picture.
The setting is deep in the Thai jungle, the year 1943. The film focuses on Camp 16, a few grass huts set up by the Japanese at Tamarkan, with the objective to use Allied Prisoners Of War to build a bridge over the River Kwai, part of the notorious Bangkok-Rangoon 'Death' Railway, the building of which cost the lives of 16,000 POWs and 100,000 Asian labourers.
The film opens following the passage of a soaring hawk through ...
VC81 21.10.2005 (12.07.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Bridge On The River Kwai (DVD)
Advantages: good story, conflict between systems and personalities Disadvantages: --
A tale of the building of a bridge for the Japanese forces in WWII Burma by Allied POWs.
It is an enjoyable story. Given the time that it was made it is not as gory as it would have been had it shown the true extent of the suffering inflicted. One of the criticisms of this film has been the fact that it has ignored the even greater suffering of the non-whites who were forced to take part in the construction.
Alec Guinness plays the commanding officer ... ...the bridge should be finished to high standards to reflect upon British workmanship. Of course the thing to do would be to hamper your enemy's progress I would have thought, especially given the sadistic nature of the opponent.
William Holden (whom I don't normally enjoy watching) acts well in this film. He plays an escapee who returns to the bridge as part of a commando unit intending to destro the bridge. Both his and Guinness' incredulity at ...
oclumhain 05.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Bridge On The River Kwai (DVD)
Advantages: Good war film Disadvantages: Full of propaganda
The British at war, again. Actually in The Bridge Over The River Kwai 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 River Kwai.
Having captured thousands of Allied forces in Burma and neighbouring countries, the Japanese force the prisoners to build a railway ... ...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 sabotage the project much to the annoyance of the Japanese guards but the Colonel decides that to build a proper bridge would show the Japanese what the ...
jimbuck 18.12.2000 (19.12.2000)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Bridge On The River Kwai (DVD)
Advantages: Brilliant story, direction and cast. It won 7 oscars. Disadvantages: None
...this in my opinion is the legendary David Lean's finest piece of directorial work. It stars Alec Guinness, William Holden, Sessue Hayakawa, Jack Hawkins and Geoffrey Horne. It won an incredible 7 Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Writing, Best Music Best Film Editing and Best Cinematography. This i made even more remarkable because it was up against Twelve Angry Men that year in some of the main categories and furthermore the ... ...The story itself is fictitious but is based on some general accuracies regarding prisoner of war camps in Thailand during the second world war, the treatment of prisoners by the Japanese and the building of various railway bridges by the Japanese army using prisoners of war as labourers. The running time is 161 minutes and the film is currently ranked number 68th of all time by the Internet Movie Database web site. I rank this film as being in the ...
bella6789 23.02.2009 (04.03.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Bridge On The River Kwai (DVD)
Advantages: Alec Guinness is mesmerising, direction exceptional, support cast great Disadvantages: None
...to build a bridge over the river Kwai to be used to transport Japanese weaponry. Led by colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) the men seek to build a better bridge than the Japanese could proving that the British resolve is stronger than any other nations. In the meantime, American POW Shears (William Holden) is persuaded to go back to the camp where he was held in order to blow up the bridge. To his surprise he finds resolute defence of the bridge by ... ...if you are a Brit...). The portrayal of British stiff upper lip by Guinness is I believe one of the most outstanding and frightening performances in cinema history. He will stop at nothing to protect his bridge and honour and does so to obsessive excess. the support cast also put in great performances, notably William Holden as the bemused American POW and Jack Hawkins as the Warden also maintaining British pride. Often referred to as a classic, ...
Nixu1980 17.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Bridge On The River Kwai (DVD)
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
Release date
04/12/2000
No of Discs
2
Catalogue No
CDR 10001
Barcode
5035822000131
Production Designer
Don Ashton
Screenwriter
Calder Willingham, Michael Henry Wilson, Carl Foreman
Disc One Wide Screen Presentation, Trivia Sabotage, Maps And Military Strategy, Isolated Score, Animated Menus, Disc Two Animated Menus, The Making Of Documentary, Two Featurettes, Filmographies, Gallery, Screensavers, Theatrical Trailer, Web Link
Aspect Ratio
2.55 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Mono
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English Mono French German
Award information
OSCAR
Best Actor In A Leading Role 1957 (Alec Guinness)
OSCAR
Best Director 1957 (David Lean)
OSCAR
Best Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced Or Published 1957 (Michael Wilson, Carl Foreman)
DVD Description
One of the all-time great war films, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI is yet another classic from the marvelous 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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