Feb 24, 2006 09:24 PM
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(Updated Feb 24, 2006 09:24 PM)
What does it take for a movie to be branded a classic? Watch this movie some time when your mind is free from any preoccupations ... this will give you an idea what it takes to create a classic ....
The reason I titled this review ahead of its time will be explained later .... but first I think I should describe some aspects of the movie.
THE PLOT
It is based on world war II era. Not another world war two heroic movie I can almost hear you say. But this is not what you expect from the movie. This movie is based on the most neglected aspect of war. It is based upon the relationship between the captors and POW's. What goes inside the head of the POW's. What is a leader like. This movie shows it all. A platoon of British soldiers is captured by the Japs. They are given a task to work as labours to make a vital bridge on a river Kwai. This bridge would strengthen the Japs strong hold of the area. How the Americans get to know abuot the bridge and how they plan to detonate it is all the action in the film. Else the film is played on the psychology of the captor Col. Saito ( Sessue Hayakawa) and the leader of the captured british contigent Col. Nicholson. The british col. is a very stringent leader. He believes in the welfare of the troops. He commands the respect of every man on his team. He believes that even if they are POW's they are still soldiers. Still they are the best and it is their duty to show their countries power in this time of crisis. He gives each man the identity.. which is generally lost when the soldier is captured.
Col. Saito has a problem, he has a tough man to report to, he has to make the bridge on time and he has to get it done any how. He tries ruthlessness ... he tries coaxing, punishment .. but finally he has to succumb to this obnoxious col. Nicholson. The british col. makes it a point to his troops to make a bridge that would last ages ... and represent a piece of history. He succeeds in gaining respect of the Jap col. so much that he finally sets on dictating the making of the bridge with help from his brilliant British engineers. The Jap is just happy that the bridge is finally happening and the work is progressing at a fast pace. Unknown to the british col. the american who lied about his rank has managed to escape in the beginning of the movie is resent with demolition team to destroy the bridge. The ending is superb. The British Col. is so obsessed with the bridge that he tries to save it. He is the one who notes the explosives... finally the bridge is blown up.
THE CHARACTERS
Col. Saito.... he is a dominant and ruthless person at the beginning .. but his character is shown to subside as the movie progresses... he is acting this way because there is a great deal of pressure on him to make the bridge open on time... as the pressure relaxes, he too becomes a bit soft.
Col. Nicholson .... remember Obi Wan Kanobi from the old star wars ... it is the same guy here .... alright his is a great character.. stubborn, leader, very strong in will and dedication... yet down to earth.
WHY WAS THIS MOVIE AHEAD OF ITS TIME?
This movie has an inherent script which is very elaborative on the stockholm syndrome .. this is the syndrome in which the captured/kidnapped victims develope a strong psychological relationship with their captors.... they almost side with them ... this was discovered way after the movie was made... The movie by the way was released in 1957!
Awards that this movie grossed are an indication of how good the movie is ... it won 7 oscars of the eight it was nominated for ... it won for
Best Actor in Lead ( Alec Guiness)
Best Cinematography ( Jack Hildyard)
Best Direction ( David Lean)
Best music score ( Malcolm Arnold)
Best editing
Best picture
Best screenplay.
it missed out on Best supporting actor... Col. Saito...
My Verdict ... movie is awesome .. long, untiring .. not a moment is wasted ... every scene is essential for the movie... I feel that editing and cinematography are one of the best in that generation!
