David Lean made one of the greatest war films in history when he teamed with stellar actor Alec Guinness (of Obi-Wan Kenobi fame) to make The Bridge on the River Kwai. The movie follows a British colonel (Guinness) and his company as they deal with living in a Japanese POW camp during World War II. The men form relationships with their captors, some escape, some die, and a bridge is built despite the poor conditions. Many, many themes are covered that deal with issues handled in war, such as patriotism, honor, individualism and the fog of war. But the ending is easily one of the best and most complex that I have ever seen.
The final act presents the viewer with an impossible morality judgment after we have gotten to know both sides of a very complicated conflict. By showing us the extremes of militarism and libertarianism, then a man who becomes a mixture of the two, Lean has presented us with the ultimate example of how country pride and honor, though commendable, cannot be allowed to rule, or otherwise we will lose all individuality and forget what morality truly is. I do not want to go into details here, but I can HIGHLY recommend that everybody watch this film, then be on the lookout for an essay I wrote about the ending being posted in the future.
The acting, directing, cinematography, music, and screenplay are all equally tremendous, resulting in an instant classic that make this film appear on many lists as one of the greatest of all time. It does not bore, has several intense standoffs and action sequences, and connects every little detail together so that you can understand how it feels to be in their situation. So see it already!
P.S. - Always remember the local library, then try Amazon to:
1) Rent digitally for $3.99.
2) Buy on DVD for $8.49.
3) Buy digitally for $12.99.
P.P.S. - Although 12 Angry Men gave us great ethical and moral debates, Paths of Glory opened up discussion of military command, and The Seventh Seal pondered on the silence of God, The Bridge on the River Kwai still takes the cake as the greatest discussion film in a year of great discussions in cinema.
P.S. - Always remember the local library, then try Amazon to:
1) Rent digitally for $3.99.
2) Buy on DVD for $8.49.
3) Buy digitally for $12.99.
P.P.S. - Although 12 Angry Men gave us great ethical and moral debates, Paths of Glory opened up discussion of military command, and The Seventh Seal pondered on the silence of God, The Bridge on the River Kwai still takes the cake as the greatest discussion film in a year of great discussions in cinema.
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