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The Bridge on the River Kwai

Play trailer 3:23 Poster for The Bridge on the River Kwai PG 1957 2h 41m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 103 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Adaptation of the Pierre Bouelle novel about POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. British and American officers plot to blow up the structure, but the commander of the bridge's construction has different plans.
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The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai

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Critics Consensus

This complex war epic asks hard questions, resists easy answers, and boasts career-defining work from star Alec Guinness and director David Lean.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker The film is rather misshapen, particularly in the sections featuring William Holden, and the action that detonates the explosive finish isn't quite clear. However, Alec Guinness is compelling as the English Colonel Nicholson. Jul 28, 2022 Full Review Richard L. Coe Washington Post This gripping tale will keep you tied to your seat thanks to the brilliant effectiveness with which Director David Lean has tied together script, casting and technical demands. Jul 25, 2022 Full Review Helen Bower Detroit Free Press The madness of war has never been shown more graphically than in this Pierre Boulle screenplay from his own novel, set and filmed on location in Ceylon. Nov 17, 2021 Full Review André Bazin Cahiers du Cinéma There are very few examples each year of cinematic enterprises that are carried out with such intelligence and above all with such care. But the quality of this film must ultimately be put in its artistic place, and that place is not the highest. Jun 15, 2023 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily One of the great, action-packed epics of the late 50s, The Bridge on the River Kwai is an exceptional case study about the hysteria of war and the pride that comes before the fall. Jun 8, 2023 Full Review Amy Thomasson InSession Film One of the greatest and most satisfying endings in all film history... Apr 25, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Netta F Excellent drama with great acting! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/28/24 Full Review Jeremy P. awesome movie one of the best William Holden movies out there good storyline Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review Annie V defently a must see movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/21/25 Full Review Intiser Z If I have to write a review about why I gave it a 5 stars, means you know nothing about classics. Just watch it, TRUST ME. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/31/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 2 hours and 41 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In British English with American English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Louise C We now know there are historical inaccuracies in the telling of this tale. But, for what it's worth a very good film in it's day. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/20/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Bridge on the River Kwai

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Cast & Crew

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David Lean

Director

William Holden

Commander

Alec Guinness

Colonel Nicholson

Sessue Hayakawa

Colonel Saito

Jack Hawkins

Major Warden

James Donald

Major Clipton

Movie Clips

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The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - A Good Life The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - A Good Life 2:13 The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - Kill Him! Kill Him! The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - Kill Him! Kill Him! 2:13 The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - What Have I Done? The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - What Have I Done? 2:10 The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - A Lot to Learn About the Army The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - A Lot to Learn About the Army 2:12 The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - The Coward's Code The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - The Coward's Code 2:13 The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - Live Like a Human Being The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - Live Like a Human Being 2:13 The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - He's Done It! The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - He's Done It! 2:12 The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - Dinner with Saito The Bridge on the River Kwai: Official Clip - Dinner with Saito 2:13 View more videos

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The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai: Trailer 1 The Bridge on the River Kwai: Trailer 1 3:23 View more videos
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The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Adaptation of the Pierre Bouelle novel about POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. British and American officers plot to blow up the structure, but the commander of the bridge's construction has different plans.
Director
David Lean
Producer
Sam Spiegel
Screenwriter
Pierre Boulle, Michael Wilson, Carl Foreman
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Horizon Films, Columbia Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
War, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 18, 1957, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 3, 2013
Runtime
2h 41m
Sound Mix
Surround, Mono, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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