"Do not speak to me of rules, this is war!"

Rating: 9/10 (24 September 2006)

There are so many compelling points of interest in the film that it would be impossible to mention them all here, and that's after only a single viewing. One could debate endlessly about the film's pro-war or anti-war stance, though in my mind it serves admirably to present both points of view. The main characters are magnificently fleshed out and serve their particular viewpoints exceptionally well, even Lt. Joyce (Geoffrey Horne), who comes on the scene rather late in the film.
The war of wills between Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guiness) and Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) is a virtually one sided battle until Saito comes to realize that his bridge building venture will fail. Nicholson's refusal to have his officers perform manual labor is later turned on it's ear when he allows them to volunteer to do so in order to complete the project on time. In between, Saito unsuccessfully attempts to negotiate terms under which the officers will work. At each step, Saito is outfoxed and outmaneuvered by the wily British officer, who earns the undying loyalty of the men under him. By the time Nicholson commissions volunteers from the sick tent, Saito is seriously contemplating harakiri.
The presence of medical officer Major Clipton (James Donald) serves as a valuable counterpoint to Nicholson's rigidly held beliefs of military responsibility. Clipton presents an argument that is compelling at face value, and without Nicholson's valor, would seem to be the view held by the majority of his soldiers (and viewers of the film). If Nicholson had been unwilling to undergo the rigors of the 'oven' to prove a point, it would not have been held against him. As Clipton pointed out, what military authority would have been the wiser in the grand scheme of things if Nicholson had played along, allowing Saito his concession?
If one needs convincing of the film's potent anti-war message, consider the scene when Lt. Joyce encounters the Japanese soldier in the jungle. Earlier in the film, Joyce is questioned by Major Warden (Jack Hawkins) about his willingness and ability to kill in a one on one situation. Joyce and his Japanese counterpart appear to be about the same age, and each appears to be conflicted about killing his opposite. When Warden erupts on screen to stab the Japanese soldier, he's shown afterwards stepping on a picture of the man's wife, surrounded by a rosary. For me, the scene conveys more than anything the futility of war and it's attendant senseless loss of life on the part of otherwise good men whose misfortune happened to be loyalty to their respective countries.
William Holden's character in the film was nothing less than a stroke of genius. Caught as he is in an untenable position by mid film, it's quite the paradox that his stature is mitigated by the fact that he impersonated an officer to get 'light' duty in the prison camp. It's a classic no win situation that sends him back into the jungle where he grows into the story's hero; was there ever any doubt?
On a much lighter note, I wonder how the owner of 'Joey's Garage' in Elk City, Ohio felt to see his calendar in the movie?
It comes as no surprise that "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was that year's big winner at the Academy Awards with seven Oscars and an additional nomination for Hayakawa. It's a timeless and classic piece of work from Director David Lean, that loses none of it's poignancy and drama after nearly fifty years. It's a great war film, even for non war film fans.