THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1957) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - David Lean

Written by - Michael Wilson, Carl Foreman (based on the novel by Pierre Boulle)

Starring - William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins

"While World War II British soldiers led by Col. Nicholson are forced to build a bridge as prisoners of war to the Japanese, British and American army officers conspire its destruction. 

Based on a novel by PIERRE BOUELLE, which in turn was based on true events, the symbol of the bridge is a perfect allegory to the nonsensical ethics and nature of war. This is equally reflected by the way in which both the British and Japanese Colonels behave, and it is soon hard to distinguish which one of them is the villain and which one is the hero. 

Under DAVID LEAN's skillful direction, the film is a spectacular large-scale production, thanks to an excellent work of cinematography and its exotic setting. However, what truly sets THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI aside from other war films is that instead of carrying a huge and more generalistic message on the theme of war, it is far more interested in its psychological aspect, particularly in its examination of the psychology of wartime masculinity and obsession. 

Even more particularly, it is more interested in the individual, rather than the collective psychology, as most of its characters are shown in a dark light, their intentions driven by narcissistic and surprisingly selfish needs, goals and desires. This contrasts the collectiveness represented by the famously diligently whistled musical main theme of the film. 

Aiding the thrilling and entertaining aspect of the film, is an excellent handling of the pace, that culminates in of the most memorable and haunting ending sequences in cinema history with such diligence and compactness as to make one think that DAVID LEAN might have imagined himself in the role of Col. Nicholson. 

As it happens, that character was played by ALEC GUINNESS, in a role that stands out in glorious rigidity among the best portrayals of manic obsession, as the anti-heroic, enigmatic and charismatic British Colonel. For his troubles, GUINNESS was awarded the Best Actor Oscar, and it is almost surreal to think that he was originally not first choice to play the part, as it is ultimately impossible to imagine the film without him."

War, UK/USA