BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI - 1957 Clip 2

First day of work on the bridge. Incredible performance by Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa depicting the clash of two cultures, both believe in their own righteousness.
© Sony Music Entertainment

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Bridge
• W.W.II
• Kwai
• River

[dday0606]

It was made in a time when such extreme violence was not the focus of a film as it is today. It is a clash of cultures as the focal point, each thinking their view is the correct one. In the end, all that was created IN SPITE of that clash is destroyed and even the coexisting adversaries who developed mutual respect, are dead. It makes a pretty powerful statement about the futility of war to me.

[firstjohn47and8]

Is this the same Suessue Hayakawa from the silent movie era...That's pretty cool if it is. WHat a long careeer he had as an actor.

[dday0606]

Yes, he is the same. If you can get the "2nd disk-making of" dvd of this movie, it gives many details of all the actors. Hayakawa was nothing like his character! That to me makes him all the more great at how he played this role.

[dlmaniac]

"You speak to me of code?! What code? The coward's code. What do you know of the soldier's code, of Bushido? Nothing!! You are unworthy of commanding!"

The dialog showing the clash of culture differences is a great piece of work through the movie between these characters. Top notch acting and directing.

[IDTVshow]

madness!  madness!!

[Shmoe101]

1:30

[DwightKoh93]

"ENGRISSH PRISONAHS!"

[SWEDISHnFINNISH]

@glynamus I'm sorry to dissapoint you, but the bridge of kwai has never existed.

[Rayoscope]

Stand fast in the ranks! Since you refuse to abide by the laws of the civilized world we must consider ourselves absolved from our duty to obey you. My officers will NOT do manual labor. Renowned British stubbornness; not to be underestimated.

[lorrainewands]

I recall watching this film when I was younger, but the details are vague. I guess I'll just have to rent it or something. If anyone hasn't yet read the book upon which this was based, at least in part (To End All Wars by Ernest Gordon) I HIGHLY recommend it. It's, of course far more graphic than this film, but there is a wonderful spirit of forgiveness and triumph throughout it. Please pick it up when you've the time!

[glynamus]

oh, by the way, the japs where excellent bridge builders and the kwai bridge was made of steel not bamboo and wood. the bridge is still standing today and in full use.

[glynamus]

yes, it is the their code to murder unarmed men(women, childern........ code of bushido is the cowards code.

[hlimkb]

@evertonjf08

head wound is always fatal and never nice to c.

just a thought,

but coming back to the british,they did not do very well in ww2,

the real beneficiary were the us n russian.

wo rooservet fire hose policy,england was doomed after the battle of france.

[evertonjf08]

@hlimkb The American's had to use the most IN HUMANE way about it. Don't be a fool! You came in late! You couldn't read or write! You had very nice men but they where never the soldiers the British where. And to suggest it was the US alone to defeat the Japanese is ridiculous. Many country's involved! Not only US. Get you're head out of you're arse!

[ghostalin]

@dday0606 A clash of cultures and beautiful whistling.