The Bridge on the River Kwai (DVD, 2000, 2-Disc Set)

The Bridge on the River Kwai tells the story of English prisoners of war building a bridge for their Japanese captors.

Led by Alec Guinness as Colonel Nicholson, the POWs work on the railroad bridge to salvage their dignity and humanity.

An American prisoner escapes from the prisoner camp and returns home, only to be sent back to lead an elite commando team with one mission: to destroy the Bridge.

Nicholson has realized the great investment of time and care that he and his men have made for the bridge. He cannot allow the bridge to be destroyed!

This film is truly great. Often imitated, never improved upon. Movies like this, and Lawrence of Arabia are recquired viewing...especially to fully enjoy more recent productions, like Spaceballs, which parody/copy these classics.

Recognized with 7 Academy Awards:

1957 Academy Awards

Best Actor: Alec Guinness
Best Adapted Screenplay: Carl Foreman
Best Adapted Screenplay: Michael Wilson
Best Adapted Screenplay: Pierre Boulle
Best Cinematography: Jack Hildyard
Best Director: David Lean
Best Original Score: Malcolm Arnold
Best Picture

I had heard about The Bridge on the River Kwai and what a fantastic film it is but never had a chance to see it until I bought it on eBay. WOW! Alec Guinness played the best role of his life in this film with sheer genius and perfect by-the-book British officer discipline. William Holden was dazzling and at the peak of his career. The sets, locations, cinematography, and screenplay were brilliant and the story itself was riveting, with surprising turns of events and the realization at the end of having made horrendous mistakes. I would recommend this movie, not just for war story fans, but for anyone who appreciates resplendent acting and compelling stories.

Classic war movie, deserving of the Oscars it received. While not as "realistic" as some of today's war films (for example, the soldiers don't look starving or even particularly grubby), it still packs a punch. To me the ending, which does not follow the book, is a bit contrived but it doesn't detract overall from the message. The special features on the disk are "OK" but don't worry if you get a copy without the second disk - you aren't missing anything vital.

If you are interested in these sorts of films, get a copy of "Three Came Home" which depicts a civilian Japanese prison camp. It is based on a true story as opposed to Bridge on the River Kwai.

I was at the bridge in 1967. Unlike the film. the bridge lies in flat country and it was built with concrete pillars and steel supporting structure. There is also a gravesite at the bridge where allied soldiers who died building it remain. Theatrical license, yes, but great flick nontheless.

stunningly beautiful film.
speaks to human nature over national origin.
An old film that grips today as it did yesterday.