A group of British soldiers arrive in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, led by Colonel Nicholson, their captors order them to build a bridge linking Burma to Siam.
Having recently been wowed by Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on The River Kwai seemed like the next logical choice, it's been some time since I last watched it, and the memory I have going in, is that it's a masterpiece.
I wonder if David Lean realised what he'd created when he completed this film, a timeless classic, a film for the ages.
I know it's a film, but wow do you get a sense of what those poor men must have suffered, prisoners in the hands of a cruel bunch of captors, with no regard for international rule.
Incredibly well made, a production of epic proportions that holds up perfectly to this day, amazing location work, costumes, and sets, and remember there were no special effects to rely on in 1957.
So many scenes are incredible, so it's hard to highlight one, however the scene that had me hugely absorbed was that incredible moment where Nicholson and Colonel Saito try to come to an agreement about work on the bridge over a glass of Johnny Walker red label.
Sir Alec Guinness gives arguably his finest ever performance, and let's be honest, he delivered countless masterclasses. His delivery and actions are incredible, Nicholson is tough, rigid, determined, proper and loaded with a sense of duty.
What is fascinating to contemplate is Nicholson's real motive for choosing to convince the men to work, was it to keep them occupied, or for other reasons, such as a legacy to be admired, interesting.
Amazing cast, William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, everyone plays their part.
It's virtually perfect, 10/10.
Having recently been wowed by Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on The River Kwai seemed like the next logical choice, it's been some time since I last watched it, and the memory I have going in, is that it's a masterpiece.
I wonder if David Lean realised what he'd created when he completed this film, a timeless classic, a film for the ages.
I know it's a film, but wow do you get a sense of what those poor men must have suffered, prisoners in the hands of a cruel bunch of captors, with no regard for international rule.
Incredibly well made, a production of epic proportions that holds up perfectly to this day, amazing location work, costumes, and sets, and remember there were no special effects to rely on in 1957.
So many scenes are incredible, so it's hard to highlight one, however the scene that had me hugely absorbed was that incredible moment where Nicholson and Colonel Saito try to come to an agreement about work on the bridge over a glass of Johnny Walker red label.
Sir Alec Guinness gives arguably his finest ever performance, and let's be honest, he delivered countless masterclasses. His delivery and actions are incredible, Nicholson is tough, rigid, determined, proper and loaded with a sense of duty.
What is fascinating to contemplate is Nicholson's real motive for choosing to convince the men to work, was it to keep them occupied, or for other reasons, such as a legacy to be admired, interesting.
Amazing cast, William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, everyone plays their part.
It's virtually perfect, 10/10.