I'm dying for a cup of tea.
- Would you care for one? - No, thanks.
- A drink? - No, thank you.
- A pot of tea for one, Peter. - Very good, sir.
Do you read this?
I taught Oriental languages at Cambridge before the war.
I never congratulated you on your escape. It was a good show.
I was lucky. If your sea rescue plane hadn't spotted me, I wouldn't be here.
I suppose not.
Would you like to see where you were?
All right.
Our information's rather scanty. It's mostly based on your report.
But we think the camp is about here.
Do your intelligence people have any idea what happened to Colonel Nicholson?
He had the guts of a maniac.
They were about to shoot him, and he didn't bat an eye.
I suppose if you're about to be shot, there isn't a great deal you can do.
Here is the River Kwai...
and here is the Siamese village where you were helped...
and here is the railway.
You must be fairly familiar with all this area.
Not really. I was out of my head half the time.
Now then, the railway starts down here in Singapore.
Malaya, Bangkok, Rangoon.
Their idea is to drive on through into India.
Where was I picked up?
About here.
As you know, theJapanese aim to open the Bangkok-Rangoon section by mid-May.
Naturally, we'll try to prevent them.
It's too far for bombers to carry an adequate load...
so we shall have to go in and smash it up on the ground.
- How will you get there? - Parachute drop and then march.
- With demolition equipment? - Yes.
Our chief problem is lack of firsthand knowledge.
None of us have ever been there.
- I don't want to discourage you, but... - It should be interesting.
Colonel Green has given me the Kwai bridge.
I'm taking a team in and blow it up.
Lucky you.
- Are you sure you won't have tea? - No, thanks.
I don't want to be rude, but I have a luncheon date, and she's beautiful.
- So if there are any questions... - Yes, of course. I am sorry.
There is only one question, actually. How would you feel about going back?
Come again?
I know under the circumstances it's a bit much...
but you do have a unique knowledge for our purpose...
and we'd love to have you with us.
You mean to tell me you brought me here to ask me this?
Frankly, yes.
Major, I just got out of there. My escape was a miracle.
Now you want me to go back? Don't be ridiculous.
- This is embarrassing. - I can't go back!
I don't belong to you. I belong to the American Navy.
Actually, Colonel Green has already taken up the manner with your people.
- With my people? - Yes, your navy turned you over to us.
A signal arrived yesterday morning from your C in C Pacific...
authorizing your temporary transfer of duty to Force 316.
- They can't do this to me. - I'm afraid they have.
It was difficult to know how to break it to you.
They can't do this to me.
My navy's made a mistake.
Look, I'm not a navy commander. I'm not even an officer.
The whole thing's a fake. I'm just an ordinary swab jockey, second class.
When the Houston sunk, I made it ashore with an officer.
Later, we ran into a Japanese patrol, and he was killed.
I figured I would be captured, so...
So you changed uniforms with a dead man.
I thought officers would get better treatment in prison camps.
- Very sensible. - Not that it did me any good.
At Saito's camp, the officers worked along with the rest.
Yes, there's always the unexpected.
I got used to being a commander...
so when I arrived here at the hospital...
I looked at the enlisted men's ward and the officers' ward...
and I said to myself, " Let's let it ride along for awhile."
There were certain definite advantages.
Yes, I saw one on the beach.
Anyway, that's the whole story.
The point is that you can't use me.
You want an American commander named Shears, and he doesn't exist.
When the Navy brass learns the truth about me, they'll say...
"Ship him home in irons for impersonating an officer!"
Once that happens, I've got it made.
- Got it what? - " Made."
- I'd like that drink now. - Of course.
I'll apply for a medical discharge.
I'll say I impersonated an officer because I went crazy in the jungle.
I'm getting worse, you know?
Sometimes I think I'm Admiral Halsey.
That's a clever plan.
It's not only clever, it's foolproof.
When my navy finds out who I am...
those temporary orders won't be worth the paper they're written on.
Is this your photograph?
- Where did you get this? - It took a bit of doing.
Naturally, your people couldn't identify you at first.
But finally your C in C Pacific sent us a copy of your service record:
the photograph, fingerprints.
It has everything. Would you care to have a look?
We've known about your actual rank for nearly a week.
Your navy's in an awkward position.
In one sense, you're a hero for making an escape from the jungle.
But they can't very well bring you home...
and give you the Navy Cross for impersonating an officer.
I suppose that's why they were happy to hand you over to us.
- You see? - Hot potato.
As far as your present rank is concerned...
we're fairly informal about those things in Force 316.
So you'll have a simulated rank of major.
A simulated major. That figures.
As long as I'm hooked, I might as well volunteer.
Good show.
Colonel Green, this is Major Shears.
He has just volunteered to go back and help me blow up the Kwai Bridge.
Really?
Good show.
Jolly good show, Major.
Get up to sick bay, Baker. This foot's infected.
The colonel might think I'm malingering, sir.
I'm the medical officer. Get cracking.
Will someone tell me why the old man wants us to build a proper bridge?
Don't worry about old Nick. He knows what he's doing.
It's about time you paid a visit.
Fine job our chaps are doing. Really first rate.
Yes. How's he behaving?
He's been most reasonable since we took over.
- I wonder what he's thinking. - I haven't the foggiest.
- Thanks, Reeves. - Right, sir.
What do you think?
Quite a challenge, isn't it?
Sir, are you convinced building this bridge is a good idea?
- Are you serious? - Yes, sir.
"A good idea"? Let's take another look.
You don't agree the men's morale is high...
that discipline has been restored...
that their condition has been improved?
- Aren't they a happier lot? - Yes, sir, but...
They feel better, and they are no longer abused or maltreated.
- That's all true. - Well then?
Honestly, Clipton, there are times when I don't understand you at all.
I'll try to make myself clear, sir.
The fact is, what we're doing could be construed as...
collaboration with the enemy...
perhaps even as treasonable activity.
Are you all right?
We're prisoners of war. We haven't the right to refuse work.
I understand that, sir, but must we work so well?
Must we build them a better bridge than they could have built themselves?
If you had to operate on Saito, would you do your best or let him die?
Would you prefer to see this battalion disintegrate in idleness?
Would you have it said that our chaps can't do a proper job?
Don't you realize how important it is to show these people...
they can't break us in body or in spirit?
Take a good look.
One day the war will be over.
I hope the people who use this bridge in years to come...
will remember how it was built and who built it.
Not a gang of slaves, but soldiers.
- British soldiers even in captivity. - Yes, sir.
You're a fine doctor, but you've a lot to learn about the army.
Hold it!
Use your boot. Get your boot in there.
Good morning.
What on Earth are you people staring at?
Get on with your jobs!
Get him with your boot!
- I'm sorry I'm late, sir. - Four minutes late, to be exact.
You were in need of medical attention?
- Sir? - I was referring to the nurse.
Yes, very ingenious. Warden was right.
Sit down.
Now, the main reason I asked you here today...
was to help us pick the fourth member of your team.
- Ask Mr. Joyce to come in. - Yes, sir.
Chapman here wants Joyce, but I have my doubts about him.
I think he has too much imagination as distinct from cold calculation.
As I've told you before, in a job like yours, even when it's finished...
there's always one more thing to do.
He's the best swimmer in the school, sir, and we'll need a good swimmer.
Yes, I'm well aware of your evaluation, Chapman. I want Shears' opinion.
All right, at ease.
These gentlemen are thinking of taking you for a little hike into the jungle.
Yes, sir.
You were an accountant in Montreal?
Yes, sir. Not really an accountant, sir. That is, I didn't have my charter.
Exactly what did you do then?
Sir, I just checked columns and columns of figures...
which three or four people had checked before me...
and then other people checked them after I had checked them.
Sounds a frightful bore.
Sir, it was a frightful bore.
How did you wind up here?
Sir, in '39, I came over to London to enlist...
and about two years later, I volunteered for this work.
- You volunteered? - Yes, sir. You see, the regular army...
Go ahead. You can be frank.
Sir, the regular army sort of reminded me of my job in civilian life.
They don't expect you to think.
Think about this.
Are you quite sure you'd be able to use it in cold blood?
I know how to use it, sir.
That's not what I meant.
Could you use it in cold blood?
Could you kill without hesitation?
That's a question I've often asked myself, sir.
It's worried me quite a bit.
What was the answer?
I don't honestly know, sir.
I've tried to imagine myself...
I suppose I find it hard to kid myself that killing isn't a crime.
It's an old army problem.
I think that's all. Thank you, Joyce.
- Am I to go with the team, sir? - We'll let you know.
Now you see what I mean?
At least he was honest about it, sir.
None of us ever knows the answer to that question until the moment arises.
What's your opinion, Shears?
He's Canadian.
That's in keeping with the international composition of this outfit.
If he wants to go that bad, he can even take my place.
If you're all agreed on Joyce, he's yours.
Now then, I've had a report from air reconnaissance on that village.
There's sufficient clearing to make your jump at last light.
- You've had parachute training? - No, sir.
Blast. This is awkward.
Silly, it never occurred to me.
- In that case, maybe... - Yes, he's right.
We'd better arrange some practice jumps for him immediately.
I'll pop over and check with Freddy right away.
All right, Chapman. You can run along.
Yes, sir.
- Feel like a sniff of air? - Yes, sir.
You don't realize what a plum you are for us.
Your knowledge of the area, your making friends in that village.
It's almost as if your whole escape had been planned with us in mind.
By the way, here's something that will interest you: the new L pill.
- " L pill"? - L for lethal; instantaneous, painless.
Much better than the old ones. For capture of course.
In other words, you're telling me not to be taken alive.
I wouldn't recommend it.
You see, if any of you get hurt or wounded on the trek...
the others will have to leave him behind.
The objective comes first in our work.
Colonel, you want my honest evaluation of this team?
I didn't want to speak out in front of the others.
I understand. Go ahead.
Chapman will be fine. Ice water in his veins.
Joyce is... He'll be okay.
- It's Warden I don't get. - Why not?
Cambridge don and all that.
It's one thing to play with explosives like a kid with firecrackers, but...
He's not without experience.
When we lost Singapore, he stayed behind and blew up a couple of bridges...
one or two trains and I don't know how many other installations...
before theJaps caught him.
- "Caught him"? - Yes. Fascinating story.
Sir, it's most annoying.
They say, in view of the time element...
they don't think a few practice jumps would be worthwhile.
They say if you make one jump, you've only got 50% chance of injury...
two jumps, 80% and three jumps, you're bound to catch a backache.
The consensus is that the most sensible thing for Major Shears to do...
is to go ahead and jump and hope for the best.
With or without parachute?
Very good, old man.
"With or without..."
He's in the trees.
Yai says we'll never reach the Kwai by the route you took.
There are too many Japanese patrols now.
We'll have to swing north through heavy jungle.
- Who's leading? - Yai himself.
He hates theJapanese. They've taken all his men for railroad work...
which means we shall have to use women bearers.
- Women bearers. - They're very capable, I'm told.
He says it's dangerous to spend the night in the village.
There's an enemy post about three miles away...
so we shall have to sleep in the jungle.
- What about Chapman, sir? - Yai's people will bury him...
and his chute.
Is there something wrong?
I was just thinking.
You speak Yai's language, I don't.
He's leading you back to the river Kwai himself...
by a route I never took.
Will someone tell me why I'm so indispensable to this outfit?
I know how you feel, but there's always the unexpected.
Tell that to Chapman.
Let's get cracking.
Go ahead.
You're lovely.
Be happy in your work.
Yes, sir.
Leeches.
She's telling you to hold still. She wants to take the leeches off you.
What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?
I'll teach you to say that in Siamese, if you like.
That would spoil it.
Too much talk always spoils it.
- What's wrong with that thing, Joyce? - I don't know, sir.
It's taken a beating. I can't get a strong signal.
I'll tell you what's wrong with it.
It's wet, mildewed, corroded, rotten...
like everything else in this rotten jungle.
You might as well dump it.
This is Radio Tokyo signing off.
This is your friendliest enemy...
reminding you to take it easy...
and never volunteer for anything.
If we stay here much longer, we'll be up to our necks.
- I have it all decoded, sir. - Right. Read it.
Yes, sir. "One: Original bridge works reported abandoned.
New construction downstream from first site.
Two: Enemy intends to open railway...
with passage of special train, Bangkok for Rangoon...
with troops and VI P...
estimated to arrive target morning 13th.
Three: You should synchronize demolition with passage this train.
Four: Good hunting. Have fun." That's all, sir.
A train and a bridge would be something.
Yes, sir, that would really be a show. Can we get there in time, sir?
Yai says we're two to three days' march from the Kwai.
If we set a faster pace, we could make it before sundown on the 12th.
It's worth having a go for the train, don't you think?
By all means.
Good hunting. Good show.
Jolly good fun.
If you hadn't fixed the radio, we wouldn't know about the train.
There's always the unexpected, isn't there?
Heave!
- Half a pint, sir. - Quinine.
We'll complete this later.
- Clipton, we're facing a crisis. - Yes, sir?
I've spoken with Reeves and Hughes, and we won't finish the bridge on time.
We just haven't the manpower.
I've asked the officers to help and they've agreed, but that won't do it.
The officers are working on the bridge?
Yes. I explained the situation, and they volunteered, but it's not enough.
- Ask Saito for some of his men. - Wouldn't dream of it.
This is our show. We must use our own resources.
I came to talk to you about the sick list.
Sir, there's not a man in this hospital who doesn't belong there.
Don't jump to conclusions.
No reflection on you, but there are always a few malingerers.
Be honest. Keep an open mind is all I ask.
Come along. Let's see.
Don't move.
What's the matter with Haskins?
He has amebic dysentery and blackwater fever.
- His temperature was 104 last night. - Right, I see.
- And this man? - Leg ulcers.
I may be able to save the leg if I do some more cutting tonight.
Do you really want to send him out to work, sir?
Don't talk rot.
- And that man there? - His arm's infected.
Most of them are so run-down, their wounds won't heal properly.
Yes, but I wonder if fresh air and light duties...
might do him more good than being cooped up here.
It's not our policy to keep a man in the hospital...
just because he scratched his arm, is it?
- " Not our policy"? - Is it?
A man may not be on the top of his form, but he can still make himself useful...
trimming and finishing jobs.
Stand easy, Baker.
Tell me, do you feel up to doing a little light work on the bridge?
- Anything you say, sir. - Good show.
What about you? Nothing difficult.
- I'll try, sir. - Good man.
Look here, men.
It goes without saying, I'm proud of all of you...
but we are facing a crisis.
For those who feel up to it, how about lending the others a hand?
Fetch and carry. A spot of paint here and there.
What do you say?
- Yes, sir. - Good show. Follow me.
Ten minutes.
Make sure they're all dead.
Come on, Joyce.
Use your knife, man, or we'll be shooting each other.
Go that way.
I could have done it. I was ready.
Are you hit, sir?
Let's go.
It's superficial. There's nothing broken.
- It's my fault, sir. - Shut up, Joyce.
I can walk on it. That's all that counts now.
- Yeah, but how far and how fast? - We won't know till I try.
What are you doing?
I didn't give orders for a halt.
We all need it.
We're still five hours fast march from the objective.
Maybe six. Come on.
You keep walking on that foot, you'll bleed to death.
Yeah.
- You're going to leave me here. - If you stop, we stop.
You can't study the layout of the bridge after dark.
You've got to get there before sundown.
Sir, when the job's done, who knows if we can return by this route...
or whether we could find you if we did.
If you were in my shoes, you know I wouldn't hesitate to leave you here.
He doesn't know it, but I do.
You'd leave your own mother here if the rules called for it.
You'll go on without me. That's an order.
You're in command, Shears.
I won't obey that order.
You make me sick with your heroics. There's a stench of death about you.
You carry it in your pack like the plague.
Explosives and L pills go well together.
With you, it's just one thing or the other:
destroy a bridge or destroy yourself.
This war is just a game.
You and that Colonel Nicholson are two of a kind.
Crazy with courage! For what?
How to die like a gentleman. How to die by the rules.
The only important thing is how to live like a human being!
I'm not gonna leave you here to die, Warden...
because I don't care about your bridge and your rules.
If we go on, we go on together.
Good old Yai.
I'm all right.
Come on.
Let's get closer.
Still sorry we brought you along?
- Feeling better? - Yeah.
You're in command again.
Thank you, Major.
I can't understand it.
It's such a solid, well-designed job.
Not like the temporary bridges the enemy usually throws together.
Look.
Those poor devils down there.
Imagine being forced to build something like that...
in the condition they must be in.
They've got a British officer working down there on his knees.
TheJapanese seem to be enjoying it.
If he knew we were here, it might boost his morale a little.
If it wasn't for the train, we could set a time fuse and leave.
But since we don't know what time it will cross tomorrow morning...
we'll have to do the job manually.
We'll set the charges against the piles...
about three feet under the water, I should think...
and run the main wire downstream to the plunger.
The problem is where to hide it.
Our side of the river is quite obviously used by theJapanese.
They'd spot it at once.
Look. You see those fallen tree trunks...
and the gray rock just below them on that little beach?
Yes, sir, I see them.
That's our key position.
It's on the wrong side of the river...
but it's the only hiding place within feasible distance.
As soon as the bridge goes up...
whoever's there will have to swim back.
It's not likely to be a pleasant swim.
Sir, I was the best swimmer in my course.
Yeah.
- It looks like your line of country. - Thank you, sir.
Shears, pick a spot on our side of the bank where you can coverJoyce.
Yai will be with you, so you two should be able to occupy the Nips...
if they make any trouble forJoyce.
On the theory that there's always one more thing to do...
I'll set up the mortar here to create an additional diversion if necessary.
I might even take a few potshots at the train.
All clear?
Any questions? Right. We'll start as soon as it's dark.
They're sure to have sentries on the bridge...
so you'll have to float the stuff down...
from upriver...
which means building a raft.
Yai will take three women to help you build the raft.
One will stay here with me. Get cracking.
If it wasn't for my ankle, I'd takeJoyce's assignment.
I know.
Do you think he'll be all right?
I think so. Want me to handle it?
I'd let you stay up here with the mortar if I could.
- I know. - I'm sorry.
When it's over, I hope you get that medical discharge...
and not the hard way.
Thanks.
Load.
- Beautiful. - Yes, beautiful.
A first-rate job.
I had no idea it would turn out so well.
Yes, a beautiful creation.
I've been thinking.
Tomorrow it will be 28 years to the day that I've been in the service.
Twenty-eight years in peace and war.
I don't suppose I've been at home more than ten months in all that time.
Still, it's been a good life.
I love India.
I wouldn't have had it any other way.
But there are times...
when suddenly you realize you're nearer the end than the beginning.
You wonder...
you ask yourself...
what the sum total of your life represents...
what difference your being there at any time made to anything...
or if it made any difference at all really.
Particularly in comparison with other men's careers.
I don't know whether that kind of thinking is very healthy...
but I must admit I've had some thoughts along those lines...
from time to time.
But tonight...
Blast.
I must be off.
The men are preparing some sort of entertainment.
Lovely.
If you were the only
Girl in the world
And you were the only boy
Nothing else would matter
In the world today
We could go on loving
In the same old way
A garden of Eden
Just made for two
I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say...
this has been an enjoyable evening.
Most of you move on tomorrow to a new camp and new construction.
It's a pity you won't be here to see the first practical use of the bridge.
However, you'll be glad to know...
the completion of this link in the railway...
will enable us to transport the sick and the disabled...
to the new camp by train.
Colonel Saito has kindly permitted me...
to stay behind with Major Clipton and the sick men...
and we'll rejoin you in a few days' time.
Now that your work here is finished...
I suppose many of you feel somewhat let down.
That's quite understandable.
It's a very natural reaction.
But one day, in a week, a month, a year...
or that day when, God willing, we all return to our homes again...
you're going to feel very proud...
of what you have achieved here...
in the face of great adversity.
What you have done should be...
and I think will be...
an example to all our countrymen...
soldier and civilian alike.
You have survived with honor.
That and more...
here in the wilderness.
You have turned defeat into victory.
I congratulate you. Well done.
The King.
You're in business.
You got everything? Stand, ammunition, pack, canteen, knife?
Yes.
I'll be directly across the river.
The professor says there's always one more thing to do...
but I can't think of what it could be...
except to wish you a long and happy life.
Thank you.
What's happened?
The river's gone down.
You can see the wire.
The charges.
Don't wait for the train.
Do it now.
If Saito's information is correct...
the train should be along in five or ten minutes.
If you don't mind, sir, I'll watch the ceremonies from up on the hill.
Why? You'll get a better view from the bridge.
It's hard to explain, sir, but I'd rather not be a part of it.
As you please.
Honestly, sometimes I don't understand you at all.
As you once said, sir, I have a lot to learn about the army.
Good morning.
River's gone down in the night.
What's he doing?
Colonel, there's something rather odd going on.
I think we'd better have another look around before that train comes across.
He's gone mad.
He's leading him right to it.
Our own man.
I was right. There is something going on.
You have to do it, boy.
You have to do it now!
Colonel Saito, have you a knife?
I just realized the bridge has been mined.
" Mined"?
Good boy.
British officer, sir, here to blow up the bridge.
- Blow up the bridge? - Yes, sir.
British commando orders, sir.
Look out. There's no time.
Help!
Kill him!
Let me go, sir. You don't understand, sir.
Kill him!
You?
You!
What have I done?
Madness!
I had to do it.
They might have been captured alive.
It was the only thing to do!
Madness.