Now, tell me, Colonel...
do you agree that the first job of an officer is command?
- Of course. - Good.
Take this bridge of yours.
It's quite an enormous undertaking.
I have grave doubts whether your lieutenant...
- What's his name? - Mioura.
Is he capable of tackling a job of such importance?
On the other hand, my officers Reeves and Hughes...
have built bridges all over India.
The men respect them.
It's essential for an officer to have that respect.
If he loses it, he ceases to command. Then there's demoralization and chaos.
I would be a poor commander if I allowed that to happen to my men.
Perhaps you are not aware...
that the bridge is now under my personal command.
Really? Are you satisfied with the work?
- I am not! - You prove my point.
I hate the British!
You are defeated, but you have no shame.
You are stubborn, but have no pride.
You endure, but you have no courage.
- It's pointless going on like this. - Stay there!
Stand down!
Battalion, attention!
Battalion, stand at ease!
Please.
- Do you know the date today? - I'm afraid I've lost count.
It's the anniversary of our great victory over Russia in 1905.
Throughout East Asia, we are celebrating this date.
In honor of this occasion...
I have given your troops a day of rest.
- Many thanks. - I am declaring a general amnesty.
You and your officers may return to your quarters.
As part of this amnesty...
it will not be necessary for officers to do manual labor.
He's done it.
Somebody deserves a medal, sir.
How many men in your party, Corporal?
- I don't really know, sir. - You don't know?
Twelve usually, but one of the men took sick suddenly this morning...
and it took three or four others to help him to the hospital, sir.
He took terrible sick, sir.
A corporal should always know exactly how many men he has under him.
Yes, sir.
Have you a nervous affliction? If not, stop making those faces.
It may be funny, and I'm sure it's done with the best motives...
but it's not military behavior.
No, sir.
We must put a stop to these demonstrations.
Yes, sir.
- Reeves. - Yes, sir?
Have you ever constructed a bridge across a stream like the Kwai?
Yes, sir. Half a dozen of them in Madras, Bengal.
If this were your bridge, how would you get it underway?
Get it underway, sir?
First of all, I wouldn't build it here.
- Why not? - As I was trying to tell you, sir...
theJapanese couldn't have picked a worse location.
There's no bottom.
You see those piles?
They're sinking.
Our chaps could drive those logs till doomsday and they wouldn't hold.
Where would you build it?
Further downstream, sir, across those narrows.
Then we'd have solid bedrock on both banks.
Hughes, if this were your bridge, how would you use the men?
Not the way they're doing it. It's utter chaos, as you can see.
It's a lot of uncoordinated activity; no teamwork.
Some parties are actually working against each other.
Yes.
I tell you, gentlemen, we have a problem on our hands.
Thanks to theJapanese, we now command a rabble.
There's no order, no discipline.
- Our task is to rebuild the battalion. - Yes, sir.
It won't be easy, but we have the means at hand.
- The bridge. - "The bridge," sir?
We can teach these barbarians a lesson in Western methods and efficiency...
that will put them to shame.
We'll show them what the British soldier is capable of doing.
Yes, I see your point, sir.
It's going to be difficult in this godforsaken place...
where you can't find what you need.
- But there's the challenge. - I beg your pardon, sir.
You mean you really want them to build a bridge?
You're not so usually slow on the uptake, Evans.
I know our men. You've got to keep them occupied.
If there weren't any work for them to do, we'd invent some.
- That we would, sir. - So we're lucky.
But it will be a proper bridge.
Here again, I know the men.
It's essential that they should take pride in their job.
- Right, gentlemen? - Yes, sir.
Reeves, you're the key man in this situation as engineer.
Tell me what you want, and Hughes and I will organize it.
- Can we make a go of it? - We'll do our best, sir.
Fine.
We must draw up our plans...
then arrange a conference with Saito...
and set him straight.
I think that takes care of all the procedural matters.
Now... Oh, yes.
The next point is somewhat unpleasant for all concerned.
We feel the position of the bridge was fixed rather hastily...
and incorrectly.
Unfortunately, yes.
Major Reeves, our engineer, has made a careful study of the site...
and has come to the conclusion that the river bottom there is too soft.
Mud. All the work up to now has been quite useless.
- Reeves, carry on. - Yes, sir.
Colonel Saito, I've made tests.
Those piles of yours could be hammered below water level before they'd hold.
That bridge would collapse under the first train to cross it.
Look, it's all here.
These are the pressure and soil resistance figures.
Just a moment, Reeves, before you get too involved.
Colonel, can we have a cup of tea?
Then we all agree that if we're to avoid disaster...
we build a new bridge at the site selected by Major Reeves...
400 yards downstream.
Let's proceed to the next point.
I've decided to alter the daily work quota of our men.
- Alter? - Yes, I've increased it...
from a yard and a half of earth moved to two yards.
It's in the general interest, and I was sure you would approve.
Major Hughes has all facts and figures. Hughes, will you take over?
Yes, sir. I've done a time study of the entire project.
As you can see, the available forces have been badly distributed.
I would strongly urge we revise the organization of the working parties.
Just a moment.
Colonel, it would save considerable time if we could carry on during dinner.
Would it be possible to have a meal served here?
Of course.
Carry on, Hughes.
If we increase the number of squads and specialize the functions of each...
I'm certain the total daily output can be increased by 30 percent.
Now, Colonel Saito, I have one more point.
There's another important decision that can't be postponed.
As most of the British soldiers will be working on the bridge...
only a small number will be available for railway work.
So I must ask you, Colonel Saito, to lend us some of your own men...
to reinforce the railway gang...
so the final stretch of track can be completed as quickly as possible.
I have already given the order.
We must fix the daily work quota for your men.
I thought of setting it at a yard and a half, not to overtire them...
but wouldn't it be best if we made it the same as the British soldiers?
That would also create a healthy competitive spirit.
I have already given the order.
- We'll try to surpass that, won't we? - Yes, sir.
That completes the agenda for this evening.
Thank you, Colonel Saito, for your kind attention.
Are there any other questions?
One question.
Can you finish the bridge in time?
Frankly, the consensus of opinion is that it's impossible...
but we'll certainly give it a go.
We mustn't forget that we've wasted over a month...
through an unfortunate disagreement, for which I was not to blame.
Is there anything else?
Thank you.
The meeting is closed.
Good night.
I hope theseJapanese appreciate what we're doing for them.
For the moment, I'm not concerned with their appreciation.
Good night.
By the way, sir, I meant to tell you...
there are trees in this forest very similar to elm.
The elm piles of London Bridge lasted 600 years.
- Six hundred years? - Yes, sir.
That would be something.
Good morning. I'm looking for an American named Commander Shears.
- Yes. Down on the beach. - Thank you very much.
Kiss!
Too many eyes.
You give me powders, pills, baths, injections, enemas...
when all I need is love.
It's true. All you really need is love.
What makes you so sure You'll get a medical discharge?
Because I'm a civilian at heart, lover, and I always follow my heart.
Kiss.
How's that, Commander?
Don't call me Commander. It's unromantic.
Look, you're an officer yourself.
How would you like it if I called you Lieutenant Lover?
Let's be democratic. Just call me sir.
Yes, sir.
Brass ahoy.
He wants to see you, and he's all yours.
- I'm going for a swim. - Don't leave me.
- Commander Shears? - Yes.
My name's Warden.
- How do you do? - I'm sorry to intrude.
That's okay, Major. I'm used to it by now. Like a martini?
- That's very kind, but I think not. - Mind if I have one?
- How did you manage to get that? - This is a hospital, Major.
Where there's a hospital, there's alcohol.
Of course. Jolly good.
I'll be as brief as possible.
I belong to a rather rum group called Force 316.
Our headquarters is up in the botanical gardens.
Protecting rare plants from the enemy?
Not quite.
- Are you sure you won't have a martini? - No, thanks.
Among other things, we have a particular interest in that railway you worked on.
You could give us no end of very valuable information.
You know, Major, I'm leaving for the States in a few days...
and I've already told your intelligence people everything I know.
Yes, but you could help us in a rather special sense.
I know it's a terrible imposition, but could you come out and see us?
If you want to go over it again, I'll come.
That's very kind of you. Lord Louis will be most grateful.
- Lord who? - Mountbatten.
- We're one of his special pigeons. - I see.
Shall we say this evening then, about 8:00? I'll send a car for you.
This evening? Out of the question.
Tomorrow morning then, about 10:00?
Thanks very much. Cheerio.
Good luck.
Thanks.
I know. You're terribly sorry, but you're standing me up tonight
You couldn't be more wrong.
- May I see your pass, sir? - Yes.
Carry on, driver.
Major Warden's bungalow is at the end of the pathway, sir.
All right. Thanks.
Good show, Jenkins!
Come along, Thomson! Use your knife, man!
On your feet, chaps. To the debriefing room quickly. Move!
Very clumsy, Joyce.
Always use your knife immediately, Joyce.
You see? He's gained the initiative.
Wait a minute.
- I'm terribly sorry, sir. - You're sorry?
So am I, sir. I thought you were the enemy, sir.
I'm an American, if that's what you mean.
- That will be all. - Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.
What can I do for you, sir?
- I was on my way to see Major Warden. - Yes, I'll show you the way, sir.
He should be finishing his lecture at any moment now.
- That's the end of his lecture, sir. - Thunderous ovation.
The major believes in keeping training as close to real life as possible, sir.
- Major Warden, sir? - Yes?
Very good of you to come along. Have they been taking care of you?
- They certainly have. - Thank you.
Come along then. Colonel Green is looking forward to meeting you.
Fascinating place, isn't it?
Utterly charming. I didn't realize it was a commando school.
We're discouraging the use of that word.
It has such a melodramatic air.
- What do you do here? - Sabotage, demolition.
We're using plastic explosives now. It's wonderful stuff.
That last little pop was made with a lump half the size of this.
It's twice as powerful as gelignite and only half the weight. Here.
It's quite harmless until it's detonated.
Thanks for telling me.
It's completely waterproof and actually plastic. See?
You can do what you like with it.
This is my place.
Go ahead.
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.