Finish work. Hurry! Go to hut.
Yeah, that figures.
Those new prisoners see us digging graves, they might all run away.
No time for jokes. Finish work. Dig!
How about putting us on the sick list?
Have a heart, Captain. Put us in the hospital.
You no sick.
You never sick.
Why you always play sick, Shears?
Don't want one of these over my head.
Captain Kanematsu, how about a butt?
I give you butt this morning. Both of you.
That's what I mean. I want to return the favor.
When a man gives me something from the goodness of his heart...
like you gave me that this morning, I remember it from the heart.
That's why I want you to keep this lighter.
Think I stole it?
It belonged to that English kid we just buried over there.
He willed that lighter to me for a favor I done him.
Before I pass on, I want to do the same for you.
You funny man, Shears.
You go on the sick list. Him too.
One day, Colonel Saito will catch you bribing him.
Then what?
Before that happens, we'll be far away from here, chum.
Let's knock off.
Here lies...
- Weaver, I've forgotten who we buried. - Thomson.
Ah, yes.
Here lies Corporal Herbert Thomson...
serial number 01234567...
valiant member of the King's own...
or the Queen's own or something...
who died of beriberi in the year of our Lord 1943...
for the greater glory of...
- What did he die for? - Come off it.
No need to mock the grave.
I don't mock the grave or the men.
May he rest in peace.
He found little enough of it while he was alive.
Battalion, halt.
End of the line.
Left turn!
Stand at ease.
Stand easy.
We're going to be a busy pair of gravediggers.
Well done.
That colonel doesn't know what he's in for.
- You going to tell him the truth? - Of course not.
You're neither an officer nor a gentleman.
My name is Nicholson.
I am Colonel Saito.
In the name of His Imperial Majesty...
I welcome you.
I am the commanding officer of this camp...
which is Camp 16...
along the great railroad...
which will soon connect Bangkok with Rangoon.
You British prisoners have been chosen...
to build a bridge across the River Kwai.
It will be pleasant work, requiring skill...
and officers will work as well as men.
TheJapanese Army cannot have idle mouths to feed.
If you work hard, You will be treated well.
But if you do not work hard...
You will be punished!
A word to you about escape.
There is no barbed wire...
no stockade...
no watchtower.
They are not necessary.
We are an island in the jungle.
Escape is impossible.
You would die.
Today you rest. Tomorrow you will begin.
Let me remind you of General Yamashita's motto:
Be happy in your work.
Dismissed!
Battalion, stand at ease!
Fall out, Major Hughes.
Hughes, get the men to their quarters. Tell Clipton to see to the sick.
- I'll have a word with this fellow. - Very good.
I heard your remarks just now, sir.
My men will carry on in the way one expects of the British soldier.
Naturally, my officers and I will be responsible for their conduct.
You may have overlooked that the use of officers for manual labor...
is expressly forbidden by the Geneva Convention.
Is that so?
I have a copy of the Convention with me...
and would be glad to let you glance through it if you wish.
That will not be necessary.
Attention.
Sit down, please.
Yes, sir.
- I'll speak to Clipton. See you later. - Very good, sir.
Clipton, don't let me interrupt.
- How's the arm, Jennings? - Nearly healed, sir.
Sir, this is Commander Shears of the United States Navy.
- Good heavens. - How do you do, sir?
We found him and an Australian in the hospital here.
They're all that's left of the prisoners who built the camp.
The U. S. Navy out here?
For a deepwater sailor, I am sort of landlocked.
- You lost your ship? - The Houston.
I made it ashore, but I got separated from the other survivors.
And your group here?
Mostly Aussies, some Lime... some British...
Indians, Burmese, Siamese.
What happened to them?
They died...
of malaria, dysentery, beriberi, gangrene.
Other causes of death: famine, overwork...
bullet wounds, snake bites...
Saito...
and then there were some who just got tired of living.
Has Clipton looked at you?
Just about to, sir. Commander, You can finish that shave later.
All right.
You'll stay with the officers, and we'll find some decent clothing.
Don't bother about me, Colonel.
I'm not anxious to get off the sick list.
Besides, this is working kit. It's the fashion out here.
The officers in your party did manual labor?
You could call it that.
Actually, I raised that very point with Colonel... What's his name?
I think he understands the situation now.
- Is that so? - Yes. He's seems a reasonable type.
I must be pushing on.
There's an officers' meeting at 7:00. Get me a list of your requirements.
Yes, sir.
- Anything we can do. - Thank you, sir.
- What is it? - Never mind.
Go on, say it.
I can think of a lot of things to call Saito, but "reasonable"?
That's a new one.
Perhaps Colonel Nicholson defines the word differently.
Any other points?
- By your leave, sir. - Yes, Jennings?
About the escape committee, sir. I've talked with Commander Shears...
There won't be any escape committee.
I don't understand, sir. LieutenantJennings has a plan.
Yes, I'm sureJennings has a plan, but escape? Where?
Into this jungle?
Saito was right. No need for barbed wire here.
One chance in a hundred of survival.
I'm sure a man of Commander Shears' experience will back me up on that.
I'd say the odds against a successful escape are a hundred to one.
- Right. - But may I add another word?
Please.
The odds against survival in this camp are even worse.
You've seen the graveyard. There are your real odds.
To give up hope of escape, to even stop thinking about it...
is like accepting a death sentence.
Why haven't you tried to escape, Commander?
I've been biding my time, waiting for the right moment, the right company.
I understand how you feel.
Of course, it's normally the duty of a captured soldier...
to attempt escape...
but my men and I are involved in a curious legal point...
of which you are unaware.
In Singapore, we were ordered to surrender by Command Headquarters.
"Ordered."
Therefore, in our case, escape might be an infraction of military law.
- Interesting? - Yes, sir.
- Interesting point. - I didn't quite follow you.
You intend to uphold the letter of the law, no matter what it costs?
Without law, Commander, there is no civilization.
That's just my point: Here there is no civilization.
Then we have the opportunity to introduce it.
I suggest we drop the subject of escape.
Is there anything else?
I think we're all clear on the program.
I want everything to go off without a hitch starting tomorrow morning.
Remember this:
Our men must always feel they are still commanded by us...
and not by theJapanese.
If they have that idea to cling to, they'll be soldiers and not slaves.
Are you with me, Commander?
I hope they can remain soldiers, Colonel.
As for me, I'm just a slave, a living slave.
Queer bird, even for an American.
He's been in isolation too long, poor chap.
Cut off from his unit.
It should be a lesson to all of us.
Attention!
English prisoners!
Notice I do not say, " English soldiers."
From the moment you surrendered...
You ceased to be soldiers.
You will finish the bridge...
by the 12th day of May.
You will work under the direction of a Japanese engineer...
Lieutenant Mioura.
Time is short.
All men will work!
Your officers will work beside you.
This is only just...
for it is they who betrayed you by surrender.
Your shame is their dishonor.
It is they who told you...
" Better to live like a coolie than die like a hero."
It is they who brought you here, not I!
Therefore...
they will join you in useful labor.
That is all.
Officer prisoners, collect your tools.
Bradley, back in your place.
I must call your attention, Colonel Saito...
to Article 27 of the Geneva Convention.
" Belligerents may employ as workmen...
prisoners of war who are physically fit other than officers..."
- Give me the book. - By all means.
You read English, I take it?
- Do you read Japanese? - I'm sorry, no.
If it's a matter of precise translation, I'm sure that can be arranged.
The code specifically states that the...
Stand fast in the ranks!
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 command!
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.
We shall see.
All enlisted prisoners to work!
Sergeant Major, take the men to work.
Yes, sir. Battalion, take up tools.
What's he up to?
Looks like he doesn't want any witnesses.
Now you will be reasonable.
You will order Your officers to work.
I will count three.
If by the third count...
You and your officers are not on the way to work...
I will give the order to fire.
He's going to do it.
Believe me, he's really going to do it.
One.
I warn you, Colonel.
Two.
Stop!
I've seen and heard everything.
So has every man in the hospital. There are too many witnesses.
You'll never get away with calling it a mass escape.
- Most of those men can't walk. - Shut up!
Is this your soldier's code, murdering unarmed men?
You see, there are certain advantages to being on the sick list.
I'll say this for the old man: He's got guts.
Into the valley of death rode the 600.
- How's that, sir? - That kind of guts.
Also the kind they had in 1914, when your officers went over the top...
with nothing but a swagger stick.
- I see what you mean. - You don't see what I mean at all!
The kind of guts that can get us all killed.
Excuse me, sir. I'd like to go along too.
Arm's almost healed, sir. Really it is.
What about him?
He didn't actually order us not to escape. He only suggested...
Listen, when a man like your colonel suggests something, it's an order.
Here we go again.
Colonel Saito say, all officers to punishment hut.
Tell them to go.
Not you.
Come.
Leave him alone!
They're putting him in the oven.
For he's a jolly good fellow
As so say all of us
Hurray!
Timber!
- One, two, three, pull! - Hurry!
Let go!
You wish to see me?
I've been trying to see you for three days.
It's about Colonel Nicholson. He's been shut up in that hut...
I could have you shot.
Those prisoners who tried to escape were in your charge.
I knew nothing about the escape.
It does not matter.
One must even respect those who tried.
For a brief moment, between escape and death...
they were soldiers again.
But it is insane to try and escape.
Two soldiers shot...
the third drowned!
To what end?
It was an escape from reality.
Here is reality.
This shows the position work should have reached by noon today...
and this shows the position of actual progress.
Because of your colonel's stubbornness...
we are far behind the schedule!
That is not all. Enlisted prisoners sabotage the work.
Yes, I have seen it.
I could have them all shot.
Then who would build your bridge?
Besides, are you sure it's sabotage?
Perhaps the men don't work well without their own officers to direct them.
My officers will direct them.
Your officers will work beside them.
That's for Colonel Nicholson to decide.
As he pointed out, it's against the rules.
Do not speak to me of rules!
This is war!
This is not a game of cricket.
Your colonel is mad.
Quite mad.
Sit down, please.
I have decided to allow you one visit to your colonel.
Thank you.
Tell him that if his officers will not work...
I'll be forced to close the hospital...
and your patients will work in their place.
Many will die, and he will be responsible.
Go and speak to him. You have five minutes.
The doc's going to see the old man.
Sir?
It's Clipton, sir.
I brought you a few things.
- How are the men? - Fine, sir.
We scraped together a little meat and a coconut.
And the officers?
They're not so good. They're still in detention.
And LieutenantJennings is dead.
- What? - Killed attempting to escape.
Two others were with him: Corporal Weaver and the American.
Poor, brave lad.
I warned him, didn't I?
Look, sir, we haven't much time.
I'd like to clean you up while I talk.
I've got something to tell you.
I've had a word with Saito.
That man's the worst commanding officer I've ever come across.
Actually, I think he's mad. Carry on.
- Blackmail. - I know, sir, but he means it.
It's a question of face, pure and simple.
- He can't give in. - It's still blackmail.
Sir, you can't stand much more of this.
And wouldn't the officers be better off working than suffocating in that hole?
The men are going as slow on it as they dare...
but Saito's cut their food rations.
If he makes the sick men work, they're going to die.
- That's all there is to it. - Yes, I truly understand...
but it's a matter of principle.
If we give in now, there will be no end to it.
Sir, we're lost in the jungle a thousand miles from anywhere.
We're under the heel of a man who will stop at nothing to get his way.
" Principle"? No one will ever know or care what happens to us.
- Give in, sir, please. - I'm adamant.
I will not have an officer from my battalion working as a coolie.
- Time. - All right.
Please thank those concerned.
Everybody in the hospital contributed one piece.
Reynolds stole the coconut.
We'll be able to get you a little something from time to time.
We've bribed one of your guards.
Good-bye, sir, and good luck.
Many thanks.
Did you say that American chap was killed?
Yes, sir. Shot and drowned.
It's insane to plan escapes.
Three men killed, and to what end?
Here is where we must win through.
The doc just looked at us and shook his head. What does that mean?
It means only one thing: The colonel won't give in.
It's like this: Colonel Nicholson won't give in to force.
It's a question of principle.
As medical officer, I must protest at the way he's being treated.
It's a wonder he's still alive.
Should a tragedy occur, it would be tantamount to murder.
He is responsible, not I.
You sick?
Are they both mad?
Or am I going mad?
Or is it the sun?
Attention!
Battalion, attention!
English prisoners...
let us ask the question...
"Why does the bridge not progress?"
You know why. Because your officers are lazy!
They think themselves too good to share your burdens.
This is not just.
Therefore, You are not happy in your work.
Therefore, the bridge does not progress.
But there is another cause.
I do not hide the truth.
With deep shame and regret...
I admit to you the failure of a member of theJapanese staff.
I refer to Lieutenant Mioura.
He is a bad engineer.
He is unworthy of command.
Therefore, I have removed him from his post.
Tomorrow we begin again.
I shall be in personal command.
Today we rest.
All work and no play makeJack a dull boy.
As a token of regard for your efforts in the future...
I give presents to you all.
Let us be happy in our work.
Company, dismiss.
Battalion, dismissed.
Take a look at this!
Red Cross?
He's given us our own Red Cross parcels.
Tomorrow we begin again.
Harry, look. They're letting the old man out.
Most likely going to give him another pasting.
Good evening, Colonel.
Do you mind sitting over here?
I am having rather a late supper.
English corned beef.
No, thank you.
Produce of Scotland.
I prefer it to saki.
I spent three years in London.
I studied at the London Polytechnic.
- Cheers. - Sorry.
- Later, perhaps. - Perhaps.
I was not a good artist.
My father disapproved.
He felt I belonged in the army...
so I changed from art to engineering.
I must tell you, Colonel Saito...
I intend to make a full report of your activities in this camp.
I do not think You quite realize my position.
- I must carry out my orders. - Quite.
My orders are to complete the bridge by the 12th day of May.
- Time is short. I only have 12 weeks. - No doubt.
Therefore, I am compelled to use all available personnel.
But no officers, except in an administrative capacity.
But officers are working along the entire railway.
You know it! I know it!
I'm not responsible for the actions of other commanding officers.
Personally, I'm appalled.
Let's not get excited.
- Will you have a cigar? - No, thank you.
When I said all officers must work...
naturally, I never meant you, the commanding officer.
My orders were only intended for officers below...
None of my officers will do manual labor.
Please.
I was about to say, I have been thinking the matter over...
and decided to put majors and above on administrative duties...
leaving only the junior officers to lend a hand.
I'm afraid not. The Convention's clear on that point.
Do you know what will happen to me if the bridge is not ready in time?
I haven't the foggiest.
I'll have to kill myself.
What would you do if you are me?
I suppose if I were you...
I'd have to kill myself.
Cheers.
I warn you, Colonel.
If I am to die, others will die before me.
Do you understand that?
Major Clipton did mention something to that effect.
That won't solve your problem.
I'm sure we can arrive at a proper solution.
Please sit down.