The Bridge on the River Kwai is a film I somewhat recall from my childhood. My father loved watching old war movies and this one always seemed to be playing in the background. I only ever recalled the ending of it, to a young kid that is the most exciting part! I don't think I was ever able to sit through the film for it's entirety, the themes and pacing was just too much for my young mind to comprehend. I can appreciate it now however.
Alec Guinness playing the part of the quintessential stiff upper lipped British officer was amazing. How he stood up and wouldn't go against the "Rules of War" no matter how ruthless and brutal the Japanese were to him and his men. He was going to be a prisoner but he was going to do so on his own terms! We see this determination from the moment they arrive in the work camp all the way to the end with all the work and effort he, and his men, put into making that bridge.
Our other protagonist is, , an american and in contrast to Alec Guinness' character it shows! He lies to his captors to get better treatment, he slacks off all day and cons everyone he can around him. Even after he escapes and gets back to the allied forces he keeps the con up! Doing everything he can to get back to the States and get the hell out of dodge. This doesn't work too well and he finds him sell going right back into the belly of the beast to rescue the captives!
I greatly enjoyed The Bridge on the River Kwai, The camera work was well done, though the day for night scenes were painful to watch by today's standards, The action exciting and the drama was palpable. While we are supposed to root for the American who just wants to go home, and feel sad that all the work and effort that the British go through were all for naught I do have to say I feel for the Japanese commander. He did do horrible things, but I can feel some sympathy towards him. He has a job to do and he's trying to get it done as fast as possible no matter what! While he does find that using honey does get more flies than vinegar, it is all for naught for him as well.