An excellent military epic

Rating: 7/10 (13 April 2004)

*Possible Spoilers*
David Lean's epic about the British soldiers and officers captured by the Japanese who, in the name of pride and what could be construed as arrogance, build a bridge at the behest of the enemy is not only a great military film, but is a psychological study in the behaviors and motivations of men as well. Alec Guinness is Col. Nicholson, a man who lets his pride and his allegiance to the rules of war nearly kills him due to his refusal to participate in the building of this bridge. When he finally `gets his way' however, he takes on the project with full steam and craftsmanship. Unfortunately, the British Army is scheduling the destruction of this bridge because it will assist the Japanese in its occupation of India, something that Guinness realizes too late and with great consequence. This is a long film, and probably could have been trimmed just a bit, but there is very little to complain about. It is an epic in every sense of the word, and the rich character studies are just one of the elements that make this a quintessential Lean film. The Bridge on the River Kwai is not a typical military film, but is a fantastic addition to the genre.
--Shelly