IMDb > The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
The Bridge on the River Kwai
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The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) More at IMDbPro »

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The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) -- After settling his differences with a Japanese PoW camp commander, a British colonel co-operates to oversee his men's construction of a railway bridge for their captors - while oblivious to a plan by the Allies to destroy it.
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) -- Clip: What have I done
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) -- After settling his differences with a Japanese PoW camp commander, a British colonel co-operates to oversee his men's construction of a railway bridge for their captors - while oblivious to a plan by the Allies to destroy it.
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) -- Movieplayer.it - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

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Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
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Writer (WGA):
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View company contact information for The Bridge on the River Kwai on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 October 1957 (UK) more
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Tagline:
It spans a whole new world of entertainment!
Plot:
After settling his differences with a Japanese PoW camp commander, a British colonel co-operates to oversee his men's construction of a railway bridge for their captors - while oblivious to a plan by the Allies to destroy it. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 7 Oscars. Another 23 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(17 articles)
Birthday Suit: You've Seen Demi's
 (From FilmExperience. 11 November 2009, 4:00 AM, PST)

Geek Deal: Columbia Best Picture Collection for $60
 (From Slash Film. 17 September 2009, 11:30 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
They don't make movies like this anymore. more (210 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

William Holden ... Shears

Alec Guinness ... Colonel Nicholson
Jack Hawkins ... Major Warden
Sessue Hayakawa ... Colonel Saito
James Donald ... Major Clipton
Geoffrey Horne ... Lieutenant Joyce
André Morell ... Colonel Green (as Andre Morell)
Peter Williams ... Captain Reeves
John Boxer ... Major Hughes
Percy Herbert ... Grogan
Harold Goodwin ... Baker
Ann Sears ... Nurse
Heihachiro Okawa ... Captain Kanematsu (as Henry Okawa)
Keiichiro Katsumoto ... Lieutenant Miura (as K. Katsumoto)
M.R.B. Chakrabandhu ... Col. Broome Yai
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG for mild war violence. (1991 reissue)
Runtime:
161 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.55 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) (RCA Sound System) | Dolby SR (re-release) | Mono (35 mm prints)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
At one point, Sam Spiegel wanted Humphrey Bogart to star and Nicholas Ray to direct. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: In the scene when a Burmese women spreads a masking paint on major Shears legs, before they are to set charges onto a bridge, it's clearly seen that William Holden is wearing 50's style loafers, that not only fit the time, but don't fit the situation at all. more
Quotes:
[Major Clipton has given up arguing with Colonel Nicholson that building the bridge could be viewed as collaboration with the enemy]
Colonel Nicholson: You're a fine doctor, Clipton, but you've a lot to learn about the army.
more
Movie Connections:
References The General (1926) more
Soundtrack:
For He's a Jolly Good Fellow more

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie
What Does Warden (Jack Hawkins) Mean By "I Had To Do It"?
A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
more
17 out of 24 people found the following comment useful.
They don't make movies like this anymore., 19 February 1999
10/10
Author: Jeff (spoonjef@aol.com) from L.A. CA

I recently saw The Bridge on the River Kwai at the Cinerama Dome, and it was quite spectacular. Unlike some of today's grand adventure films, you get to know the characters along with seeing great scenes of acting and cinematography. Alec Guinness is at the top of his form as the single minded Colonel Nicholson. The scene between Nicholson and Saito in Saito's hut is remarkable. Nicholson still will not concede defeat, he even takes offense that other officers of different armies gave in and worked alongside the enlisted men. Saito can't understand Nicholson's acceptance of his punishment, and it drives him crazy. The film's plot has two stories that are beautifully intertwined. Shears' return to the bridge is his only way to escape the bridge. In the film's final act, the tension is turned up as the British commandos try to blow up the bridge, and a train, and only then does Nicholson realise what the bridge really is. The Bridge on the River Kwai is one film that is hard to top, the only film able to do that is Lawrence of Arabia, both directed by the meticulous eye of David Lean. One director who could put intimacy in epic circumstances.

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
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Am i the only one who thinks that.... jenseyde
Major Warden's Retreat wrunge7-1
need help.. searching for name of movie similar to this one... Maquina_Muerte
The ending of the ending sucked...(spoiler) vespid23
The uncredited actors ? claude-rouyer
Greatest Last Lines in Movie History DD-931
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