The war film epic The Bridge on the River Kwai by David Lean is considered a masterpiece of its genre and is based on the novel by the French writer Pierre Boulle. He also wrote The Planet of the Apes, but unlike his sci-fi novel, The Bridge on the River Kwai is based on real events. The award-winning war drama is on TV today.
The Bridge on the River Kwai on TV: Exciting war drama in Indochina
The Second World War affected the entire globe. British and American prisoners of war held by the Japanese in Indochina are tasked with building a strategically important railway bridge over the River Kwai.
The British Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) initially defends himself against them inhumane treatment by the commander Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) is then ready to build a technically complex bridge. Unlike the US Navy Commander Shears (William Holden), who wants to destroy the structure on the Kwai.
1,000 workers and 8 elephants recreated the legendary bridge for the film
No expense, but above all no effort, was spared in the implementation of the novel. According to Cinema, the largest bridge set in film history was built in eight months. The 35 meter high and 130 meter long structure was built 1,000 workers and 35 elephants needed.
But even more incredible and shocking are the figures for the actual construction of the so-called Death Railwaywhich connects Thailand and Burma. Here An estimated 13,000 prisoners of war died and 80,000 to 100,000 civilians (via Commonwealth War Graves). The Bridge of the River Kwai impressively shows the harsh conditions the people suffered under.
With 7 Oscars and grossings of over $30 million, the effort was more than worth it. For us, the masterpiece comes in 6th place among the best war films from Great Britain, ahead of Oppenheimer.
Another war film whose true story is hardly known is coming to Netflix in December.
When will the war film The Bridge on the River Kwai be on TV?
The war film is showing this Friday, December November 15, at 10:30 p.m on 3sat. There is no repeat, but if you missed The Bridge on the River Kwai, you can buy it digitally or as a steelbook on Amazon.
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