BIRDS SINGING AND TRILLING
TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING
TRAIN APPROACHING
WHISTLE BLOWS
BRAKES SQUEAL
J‘J‘J‘
SHOUTING IN JAPANESE
Finish work!
Go to hut.
Yeah, that figures.
Those new prisoners see us digging graves, they might all run away.
No time forjokes. Finish work!
Dig, dig.
How about putting us on sick list?
Have a heart, captain. Put us in hospital.
You no sick. You never sick.
Why you always play sick to me, Shears?
Don't want one of these over my head, I guess.
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 favour.
When a man gives me something from the goodness of his heart...
...|ike you gave me that butt 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 favour I'd done him.
Before I pass on, I want to do the same for you.
You funny man, Shears.
Okay. You go on sick list. Him too.
One of these days Colonel Saito will catch you bribing him...
...then where'll we be?
Before that happens, we'll be far away from here, chum.
Far away.
Okay, let's knock off.
Here |ies....
You know, I've forgotten who we just buried.
Thomson.
Ah, yes.
Here lies Corporal Herbert Thomson...
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? -Ah, come off it.
No need to mock the grave.
I don't mock the grave or the man.
May he rest in peace.
He found little enough of it while he was alive.
MEN SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
MEN WHISTLING UPBEAT TUNE
MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY
MAN: A Company, mark time!
Mark time!
J‘J‘J‘
MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY
Into line, left turn.
Stand at ease.
Stand easy.
We're gonna be a busy pair of gravediggers, Weaver.
Well done, well done.
That colonel doesn't know what he's in for.
You going to tell him the truth, commander?
Of course not.
You're neither an officer nor a gentleman.
MAN SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY
My name is Nicholson.
I am Colonel Saito.
In the name of His Imperial Majesty...
...| welcome you.
I am the commanding officer of this camp...
...which is Camp 16...
...a|ong 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.
The Japanese 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'll begin.
Let me remind you of General Yamashita's motto:
"Be happy in your work."
Be happy in your work.
Dismissed.
Battalion, stand at ease.
Fall out, Major Hughes.
Battalion, stand easy.
Get the men to their quarters. Tell Clipton to see who's sick.
-|'|| have a word with this fellow. -Very good.
Colonel.
I heard your remarks just now, sir.
I can assure you my men will carry on in the way one expects of a British soldier.
And naturally, my officers and I will be responsible for their conduct.
You may have overlooked the fact that the use of officers for manual labour...
...is expressly forbidden by the Geneva Convention.
Is that so?
I happen to have a copy of the convention...
...and would be glad to let you glance through it if you wish.
That will not be necessary.
THUNDER CRASHING
SHOUTS IN JAPANESE
MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY
NICHOLSON: Sit down, please.
Yes, sir.
I'm going to have a word with Clipton. See you later.
Ah, Clipton, don't let me interrupt.
-How's the arm, Jennings? -Near|y healed, sir.
Sir, this is Commander Shears of the United States Navy.
-Good. -How do you do, sir?
CLIPTON: We found him and an Australian in the hospital here.
They're all that's left of the prisoners who built the camp.
US. Navy? Out here?
For a deep-water sailor, I am sort of landlocked.
-You lost your ship? -The Houston.
I made it ashore when she went down, but I got separated from the other survivors.
And your group here?
Mostly Aussies. Some Lime--
Some British. Indians, Burmese, Siamese.
And what happened to them?
They died...
...of malaria, dysentery, beriberi, gangrene.
Other causes of death:
Famine, overwork, bullet wounds, snakebites...
Then there were some who just got tired of living.
-Has Clipton had a look at you? -Just about to, sir.
Come over here, commander. You can finish that shave later.
All right.
You'll stay with the officers, of course.
We'll scrape up 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 labour?
I think you could call it that.
Actually, I raised that very point with Colonel what's-his—name.
I think he understands the situation now.
-|s that so? -Yes.
I must say he seems quite a reasonable type.
Well, I must be pushing on.
There's an officers' meeting at 7:00.
-Give me a list of your requirements. -Yes, sir.
Anything we can do?
No, thank you, sir.
LAUGHING
-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.
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
Any other points?
-By your leave, sir? -Yes, Jennings?
About the escape committee, sir. I've had a talk with Commander Shears--
There won't be any escape committee.
I don't understand, sir. Lieutenant Jennings has a plan.
Yes, yes, I'm sure Jennings has a plan, but escape?
Where? Into this jungle? That fellow, Saito, is right.
No need for barbed wire here. One chance in 100 of survival.
I'm sure a man of Commander Shears' experience will back me up on that point.
Oh, I'd say the odds against a successful escape...
-...are about 100-t0-1. -Right.
-But may I add another word, colonel? -P|ease.
The odds against survival in this camp are even worse.
You've seen the graveyard. They're 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?
Oh, 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, mind you.
Therefore, in our case, escape might well be an infraction of military law.
-|nteresting. -Yes. Interesting point, sir.
I'm sorry, sir, I didn't quite follow you.
You mean you intend to uphold the letter of the law, no matter what it costs?
Without law, commander, there is no civilisation.
That's just my point. Here, there is no civilisation.
Then we have the opportunity to introduce it.
| suggest we drop the subject of escape.
Is there anything else?
I think we're all clear on the programme.
I want everything to go off without a hitch, starting first thing tomorrow morning.
And remember this:
Our men must always feel they are still commanded by us...
...and not by the Japanese.
So long as they have that idea to cling to, they‘ll be soldiers and not slaves.
Are you with me there, commander?
Well, I, uh....
I hope they can remain soldiers, colonel.
As for me, I'm just a slave.
A living slave.
Queer bird. Even for an Ameri-- Mm.
He's been in isolation too long, poor chap.
Cut off from his unit. It should be a lesson to all of us.
SAITO SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
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 Miura.
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 dishonour.
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 labour.
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? -|'m sorry, no.
But if it's a matter of precise translation, I'm sure that can be arranged.
You see, the code specifically states that the--
ALL MURMURING
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 civilised world...
...we must consider ourselves absolved from our duty to obey you.
My officers will not do manual labour.
We shall see.
All enlisted prisoners to work.
SHOUTING IN JAPANESE
BLOWING WHISTLE
-Sergeant major, take the men to work. -Sir? Sir.
Battalion, take up tools.
Move to the left in columnar route. Left turn!
A Company, by the right, quick march.
Eyes right.
Eyes front.
Quick march, eyes right.
C Company, by the right.
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.
CLANKING
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.
SHOUTS IN JAPANESE
He's going to do it.
Believe me, he's really going to do it.
I warn you, Colonel Saito....
CLIPTON: Stop!
Colonel Saito, 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.
Is this your soldier's code? Murdering unarmed men?
You see, Jennings, 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.
-Yes, sir, 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, kiddo, when a man like your colonel suggests something, it's an order.
Here we go again.
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
Colonel Saito says all officers to punishment hut.
Tell them to go.
Not you.
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
Come.
MAN: Leave him alone!
MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY
J‘J‘J‘
MEN STOP SHOUTING
They‘re going to put him in the oven.
MEN: J‘ For he's a jolly good fellow J‘
J‘ And so say all of us J‘
J‘ And so say all of us And so say all of us J‘
J‘ For he's a jolly good fellow For he's a jolly good fellow J‘
J‘ For he's a jolly good fellow J‘
J‘ And so say all of us J‘J‘
MEN CHEERING
YELLS
GUNSHOT
JAPANESE OFFICERS SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
GUNSHOT
SOLDIERS SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
GUNSHOT
J‘J‘J‘
MAN: Timber!
JAPANESE OFFICER: One, two, three, pull.
No, no, no!
Let go!
MEN LAUGHING AND CHATTERING
MEN SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
SAITO SPEAKS IN JAPANESE
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, they 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.
It was an escape from reality.
There is your 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 schedule.
That is not all.
Enlisted prisoners sabotaged 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.
He's mad, your colonel.
Quite mad.
Sit down, please.
l have decided to allow you one visit to your colonel.
Thank you.
Tell him that if his officers will not work...
...|'|| 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.
MAN: Doc's going to see the old man.
CLIPTON: Sir....
It's Clipton, sir.
I brought you a few things.
-|N RASPY VOICE How are the men? -Fine, sir, fine.
We scraped together a little meat and a coconut.
And the officers?
Oh, they're not so good. They‘re still in detention.
And Lieutenant Jennings.... Jennings is dead.
-What? -Ki||ed attempting to escape.
Also two others with him, Corporal Weaver and the American.
Jennings. Poor, brave lad.
I warned him, didn't I, Clipton?
Look, sir, we haven't much time.
I'm going to clean you up a little while I talk.
I've got something to tell you.
I've just had a word with Saito.
That man is 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. I'm sure he does.
It's a question of face, pure and simple. And 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 doing a wonderful job. They're going as slow on it as they dare.
But Saito's cut their food rations...
...and if he makes the sick men work....
Well, they're going to die. That's all there is to it.
Yes, Clipton, I understand. Truly.
But don't you see? It's a matter of principle.
If we give in now, there'll be no end to it. No.
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.
Goodbye, sir. And good luck.
Many thanks.
-C|ipton! CLIPTON: Yes?
Did you say that American chap was killed?
-Yes, sir. Shot and drowned. -Mm.
It's insane to plan escapes.
Three men killed, and to what end?
Time!
Here. Here is where we must win through.
MAN 1: The docjust looked at us and shook his head. Whatever that means.
MAN 2: Means only one thing: The colonel won't give in.
Well?
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?
METAL CLANKING
VULTURE SQUEALING
J‘J‘J‘
SQUEALING
YELLING
KIDS SHOUTING IN SIAMESE
SHEARS MOANING
SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
SAITO & MIURA SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
-Bah! -Oh!
SAITO SPEAKS JAPANESE
SHOUTS IN JAPANESE
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 burden.
This is notjust.
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 the Japanese staff.
I refer to Lieutenant Miura.
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 make Jack a dull boy.
As token of regard for your efforts in the future...
...I give presents to you all.
SPEAKS IN JAPANESE
Let us be happy in our work.
Company, dismissed.
Battalion, dismissed.
MEN CHEERING
Hey, take a look at this.
Red Cross? He's given us our--
Hey, he's given us our own Red Cross parcels!
"Tomorrow, we begin again."
LAUGHING
MEN SHOUTING IN JAPANESE
ANIMALS HOWLING
WHISPERING Hey, Harry, look!
They're letting the old man out.
Most likely going to give him another pasting.
KNOCKING ON DOOR
SPEAKS IN JAPANESE
Good evening, colonel.
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
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 sake.
I spent three years in London, you know.
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 realise my position.
-I must carry out my orders. -Oh, quite, quite.
My orders are to complete the bridge by the 12th day of May.
-Time is short. I have only 12 weeks more. -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.
SAITO SIGHS
Will you have a cigar?
No. Thank you.
When I said all officers must work...
...natura||y, I never meant you, the commanding officer.
My orders were only intended for officers below--
None of my officers will do manual labour.
Please! I was about to say:
I've been thinking the matter over and have decided...
...to put majors and above on administrative duties...
...Ieaving only the junior officers to lend a hand.
I'm afraid not. The convention's quite 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 were me?
I suppose, if I were you...
...|'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 point.
That won't solve your problem.
I'm sure we can arrive at a proper solution.
Please sit down.
Now, tell me, colonel...
...do you or do you not agree that the first job of an officer is command?
-Of course. -Good.
GROANS THEN COUGHS
Take this bridge of yours.
It's quite an enormous undertaking.
And to be frank, I have grave doubts...
...whether your Lieutenant what's-his-name....
-Miura. -Miura. Hmm.
Is capable of tackling a job of such importance.
On the other hand, I have officers, Reeves and Hughes, for instance...
...who have built bridges all over India.
The men respect them.
It's essential for an officer to have that respect, I'm sure you'll agree.
If he loses it, he ceases to command.
And what happens then? Demoralisation and chaos.
A pretty poor commander I would be if I allowed that to happen to my men.
Perhaps you are not aware...
...that the bridge is now under my personal command.
Really? And may I ask, are you satisfied with the work?
-I am not! -You've proved 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.
I hate the British!
Pointless, going on like this.
Stay there!
SHOUTS IN JAPANESE
MAN SPEAKS IN JAPANESE
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
J‘J‘J‘
MEN SHOUTING IN JAPANESE
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
Stand down. Stand down!
Battalion, attention!
Battalion, stand at ease.
Please...
Do you know what is the date today, colonel?
I'm afraid I've lost count.
It's the anniversary of our great victory...
-...over Russia in 1905. -Oh, yes.
Throughout East Asia, we are celebrating this date.
In honour 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 labour.
J‘J‘J‘
SHOUTS IN JAPANESE
He's done it!
J‘J‘J‘
MEN CHEERING
CHATTERING AND WHISTLING
SOBBING
CHEERING CONTINUES
-Somebody deserves a medal, sir. -Hmm.
How many men in your party, corporal?
Well, I don't really know, sir.
-You don't know? -Well, sir, 12, usually...
...but, well, one of the men took sick very suddenly this morning, sir...
...and, well, it took three or maybe four of the others to help him to hospital, sir.
And, uh....
-Oh, he was took terrible sick, sir. -A corporal should always know...
...exactly how many men he has under him at all times.
Oh, yes, sir.
Have you a nervous affliction? If not, stop making those faces at once.
It may be funny, Hughes, and I'm sure it's done with the best motives...
-...but it's not military behaviour. -No, sir.
MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY
We must put a stop to these demonstrations.
Yes, sir.
-I say, 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 under way?
Get it under way, sir?
Well, first of all, I wouldn't build it here.
Oh? Why not?
As I was trying to tell you a while ago...
...the Japanese 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?
Why, 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? -Ha, ha.
Well, sir, not the way they're doing it. It's utter chaos, as you can see at a glance.
There's a lot of uncoordinated activity.
No teamwork.
Some of those parties are actually working against each other.
| tell you, gentlemen, we have a problem on our hands.
Thanks to the Japanese, we now command a rabble.
There's no order, no discipline.
WHISTLES
-Our task is to rebuild the battalion. -Yes, sir.
Which isn't going to be easy.
But fortunately we have the means at hand: the bridge.
-The bridge, sir? -The bridge.
We can teach them 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. | see your point, sir.
I realise how difficult it's going to be 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 the bridge?
You're not usually so slow on the uptake, Evans.
I know our men. You've got to keep them occupied.
Fact is, if there weren't any work for them to do, we'd invent some, eh, Reeves?
-That we would, sir. -So we're lucky.
But it's going to be a proper bridge.
Now, here again I know the men.
It's essential that they should take a pride in theirjob. Right, gentlemen?
IN UNISON Yes, sir.
Reeves, you're the key man in this situation, as engineer.
Tell me what you want and Hughes and I will organise it.
What do you think, can we make a go of it?
-We'll do our best, sir. -Fine.
J‘J‘J‘
We must draw up our plans...
...then arrange a conference with Saito...
...and set him straight.
Well, I think that takes care of all the procedural matters. Now....
Oh, yes.
The next point is somewhat unpleasant for all concerned, I'm afraid.
I'm sorry to tell you that we feel the position of the bridge was fixed rather hastily...
...and, I have to add, incorrectly.
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, will you 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.
It's all here in black and white.
The pressure and soil-resistance figures in tons per square inch.
Just a moment, Reeves, before you get too involved....
Colonel, do you suppose we could have a cup of tea?
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
Then I take it 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.
Now let's proceed to the next point.
I've decided to alter the daily work quota of our men.
-A|ter? -Yes, I've increased it.
From a yard and a half of earth moved to two yards.
It's in the general interest. I'm sure it would meet with your approval.
Major Hughes has the facts and figures.
-Hughes, would you take over? -Yes, sir.
I've done a time study, Colonel Saito, of the entire project.
As you can see at a glance, the available forces have been badly distributed.
I would strongly urge that we revise the organisation of the working parties.
Uh, just a moment, Hughes.
Colonel, it would save considerable time if we could carry on working during dinner.
Do you suppose it would it be possible to have a meal served here?
Of course.
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
-Carry on, Hughes. -Yes, sir.
If we increase the number of squads and specialise the functions of each...
...|'m certain that the total daily output can be increased by 30 percent.
Now, Colonel Saito, I have one more point...
Now, 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 that the final stretch of track can be completed as quickly as possible.
I have already given the order.
NICHOLSON: We must fix the daily work quota for your men.
At first I thought of setting it at a yard and a half so as not to overtire them...
...but don't you think it would be best if we made it the same as ours?
That would also create a healthy competitive spirit.
I have already given the order.
We'll try to surpass that, won't we, Hughes?
I think that completes the agenda for this evening.
It only remains for me to say thank you, Colonel Saito, for your kind attention...
...and 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.
After all, 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. -Good night.
J‘J‘J‘
I hope these Japanese appreciate what we're doing for them.
For the moment, I'm not concerned with their appreciation.
-Good night, Clipton. -Good night, sir.
By the way, sir, I meant to tell you...
...there are trees in this forest very similar to elm.
And the elm piles of London Bridge lasted 600 years.
-Six hundred years, Reeves? REEVES: Yes, sir.
Six hundred years.
That would be quite something.
J‘J‘J‘
CHATTERING
Good morning. I'm looking for an American named Commander Shears.
-Oh, yes. Down on the beach. -Oh, 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 | always follow my heart.
Kiss.
-How's that, commander? -Oh....
Don't call me "commander."
It's unromantic.
Now, 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.
Huh. Brass ahoy.
He wants to see you, and he's all yours.
-|'m going for a swim. -Don't leave me!
-Commander Shears? -Yes.
My name's Warden.
-How do you do? -Sorry to intrude on you--
Oh, that's okay, major. I'm used to it by now.
Like a martini?
That's very kind of you, but, no, I think not.
-Mind if I have one? -No.
How did you manage to get that?
Well, this is a hospital, major, and where there's a hospital, there's alcohol.
Oh, yes, of course. Heh. Jolly good.
Well, look, 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?
Heh. Not quite.
-Sure you won't have one? -No, thanks very much.
Among other things, we have a particular interest in that railway you worked on...
...and you could give us no end of very valuable information.
Well, you know, major, I'm leaving for the States in a few days...
...and I've already told your intelligent people everything I know.
Yes, but you could help us in a rather special sense.
I know it's a terrible imposition...
...but I wonder if you could possibly come out and see us.
Well, if you want to go over the whole thing again, I'll come.
Oh, that's very kind of you. Lord Louis will be most grateful.
-Lord who? -Mountbatten.
-We're one of his special pigeons. -Oh, I see.
Well, shall we say this evening, then? About 8. I'll send a car for you.
This evening? Out of the question.
Well, tomorrow morning, then. About 10?
-Okay, 10:00. -Thanks very much.
-Cheerio. -Cheerio.
Good luck.
I know, you're terribly sorry, but you're going to stand me up tonight.
You couldn't be more wrong.
MAN: General salute!
Present arms!
MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY
-May | see your pass, sir, please? -Oh, yes.
Go ahead, driver.
Major Warden's bungalow is at the end of the pathway, sir.
All right, thanks.
Good ShOW, Jenkins. Good show!
Come along, Thomson. Use your knife, man. Use your knife!
On your feet! Away to the debriefing room.
Come on, move yourselves, move! Move quickly!
Very clumsy, Joyce, very clumsy.
Always use your knife immediately, Joyce. Immediately, man!
You see? He's gained the initiative.
Wait a minute! I'm terribly sorry, sir.
-You're sorry? -80 am I, sir.
-I thought you were the enemy. -|'m American, if that's what you mean.
-That'll be all, Joyce. -Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.
What can I do for you, sir?
-I was on my way to see Major Warden. -Oh, yes, I'll Show you the way.
He should be finishing his lecture at any moment now, sir.
EXPLOSION
That's the end of Major Warden's lecture, sir.
Thunderous ovation.
The major believes in keeping our training as close to real life as possible, sir.
-Major Warden, sir? -Yes?
Oh, very good of you to come along.
I hope they've been taking care of you.
Well, they certainly have.
Thank you. Well, come along, then.
Colonel Green is looking forward to meeting you.
Oh?
Fascinating place, isn't it?
Utterly charming. I didn't realise it was a commando school.
We're trying to discourage that word. It has such a melodramatic air about it.
What do you do here, major?
Oh, sabotage, demolition, that line of country.
We're using P.E., plastic explosives. 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.
Oh!
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.
Oh, I'm dying for a cup of tea.
BELL DINGS
-Would you care for one? -No, thanks.
-A drink? -No, thank you.
-Pot of tea for one, please, Peter. -Very good, sir.
Do you read this?
Oh, I taught Oriental languages at Cambridge before the war.
I never congratulated you on your escape. It was a good show, I must say.
I was lucky. If your sea-rescue plane hadn't spotted me, I wouldn't be here.
No, I suppose not.
WARDEN CLEARS THROAT
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 know what happened to Colonel Nicholson?
He was a maniac. They were about to shoot him, and he didn't bat an eye.
Well, if you‘re about to be shot, there isn't a great deal you can do, is there?
Now, here is the River Kwai...
...and here is the Siamese village where you were helped.
And here is the railway.
But then, you must be fairly familiar with all this area.
Oh, 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? -Oh, about here.
The Japanese aim...
...to open the Bangkok-Rangoon section by the middle of May.
Naturally, we're gonna try and 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 you gonna get there? -Parachute drop and then march.
With demolition equipment through thatjungle?
Our chief problem is lack of firsthand knowledge.
You see, none of us have ever been there.
-Well, I don't want to discourage-- -It should be interesting.
Colonel Green has given me the Kwai bridge.
I'm going to take a team in and blow it up.
Lucky you.
Uh, sure you won't have a cup of tea?
I don't want to be rude, but I've got a luncheon date at 2, and she's beautiful...
-...so if there are any questions.... -Oh, yes, of course, I'm sorry.
Well, 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 see, you do have a unique knowledge for our purpose.
And we'd love to have you with us.
You mean to tell me that that's why you brought me here?
To ask me this?
Well, frankly, yes.
Major, | just got out of there.
My escape was a miracle. Even your people said so.
Now you want me to go back? Don't be ridiculous!
Oh, this is very embarrassing--
I can't go back. I don't belong to you. I belong to the American Navy.
Actually, Colonel Green has already taken the matter up with your people.
-With my people? -Your Navy's turned you over to us.
A signal arrived yesterday morning from your CINC Pacific...
...authorising your temporary transfer of duty to Force 316.
-They can't do this to me. -|'m afraid they have.
It was awfully difficult to know how to break it to you.
No, but they can't do this to me. I really mean it. My Navy's made a mistake!
Oh?
Look, I'm not a Navy commander. I'm not even an officer.
-Oh. -No, 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. A real commander.
Later on, we ran into a Japanese patrol and he was killed.
I figured it was just a matter of time before I was captured, 30--
So you changed uniforms with a dead man.
I thought officers would get better treatment in prison camps.
That's 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, isn't there?
I kind of got used to being a commander...
...so when I arrived here at the hospital...
...I took a look at the enlisted men's ward, then I took a look at the officers' ward...
...and I said to myself, "Let's let it ride along for a while."
There were certain definite advantages.
Yes, I saw one of them on the beach.
Anyway, that's the whole story.
And the point of it is that you can't use me. You want an officer for your team.
An American commander named Shears, and he doesn't exist.
When the brass learns the truth about me, they'll say:
"Ship him home in irons for impersonating an officer," something like that.
-Once that happens, I've got it made. -Got it what?
Made! I'd like that drink now.
|'|| apply for a medical discharge.
I'll tell them that I impersonated an officer because I went off my rocker in the jungle.
I'm getting worse, you know. Sometimes I think I‘m Admiral Halsey.
Well, it's quite a clever plan.
It's not only clever, it's foolproof.
If my Navy finds out who I am...
...those temporary orders you've got won't be worth the paper they're written on.
This is your photograph, isn't it?
-Where did you get this? -Well, it took a bit of doing...
...because naturally your people couldn't identify you at first.
But finally your CINC Pacific sent us a copy of your service record.
Photograph, fingerprints, everything. Would you care to have a look?
You see, we've known about your actual rank for nearly a week.
Your Navy's in an awkward position.
In one sense, you're a blasted hero...
...for making an escape through the jungle.
But at the same time, they can't very well bring you home...
...and give you the Navy Cross for impersonating an officer, can they?
I suppose that's why they were so 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 the simulated rank of major.
A simulated major. That figures.
Well....
As long as I'm hooked, I might as well volunteer.
Good Show!
KNOCKING ON DOOR
Oh, Colonel Green, sir.
Major Shears has volunteered to go back and help me blow up the Kwai bridge.
Really?
Good ShOW.
Jolly good show, major!
J‘J‘J‘
Get up to sick bay, Baker. This foot's infected.
The colonel might think I'm malingering.
I'm the medical officer, Baker. Get cracking.
Will someone tell me why the old man wants us to build a proper bridge?
Don't you worry about old Nick. He knows what he‘s doing.
J‘J‘J‘
Hello, Clipton. About time you paid us a visit.
Fine job our chaps are doing. Really first-rate.
Yes. How's he behaving?
I must say, 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 that building this bridge is a good idea?
-Are you serious? -Yes, sir.
A good idea? Take another look.
You don't agree that the men's morale is high?
That discipline has been restored?
That their condition has been improved?
-Are they a happier lot or aren't they? -Yes, sir, but--
They feed 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...
...forgive me, sir, collaboration with the enemy.
Perhaps even as treasonable activity.
Are you all right, Clipton?
We are 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 for themselves?
If you had to operate on Saito, would you do your best or would you 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 properjob?
It's important to show these people that they can't break us, in body or in spirit.
Take a good look, Clipton.
One day the war will be over.
I hope that 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, Clipton, even in captivity.
-Yes, sir. -You're a fine doctor, Clipton...
...but you've a lotto learn about the army.
J‘J‘J‘
MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY
MAN 1: Hold him! Hold him!
Use your boot! Get your boot in there, will you?
MAN 2 WHISTLES
Good morning.
MAN 1: What on earth are you people staring at?
Get on with your job!
Now, get him with your boot!
I'm awfully 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.
-Oh. -Very ingenious. Warden was right.
The reason I asked you here today was to 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...
...even when a job is finished, there's always one more thing to do.
He's the best swimmer in the school, we'll need a good swimmer.
Yes, I'm well aware of your evaluation, Chapman. The opinion I want is Shears'.
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. -Huh?
Exactly what did you do there?
Well, sir, Ijust 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 happen to wind up here?
In '39 I came over to London to enlist, two years later I volunteered for this work.
-You volunteered? -Yes, sir. You see, the regular army--
Go ahead, you can be frank.
Well, 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.
GREEN: 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.
Well, I think that's all. Thank you, Joyce.
Am I to go with the team, sir?
We'll let you know.
Well, you see what I mean.
Well, at least he was honest about it, sir.
None of us ever know the answer to that question until the moment arises.
What's your opinion, Shears?
Well, sir, he‘s Canadian...
...and that's in keeping with the international composition of this outfit.
If he wants to go that bad, he can even take my place.
Well, if you‘re all agreed on Joyce, he‘s yours.
Now, then, I've had a report from air reconnaissance on that village...
...and there's sufficient clearing for you to make yourjump at last light.
-You've had parachute training? -No, sir.
GREEN: Blast. This is awkward.
WARDEN: Silly, it never occurred to me.
Well, in that case, maybe--
I suppose he's right. We'd better arrange some practice jumps immediately.
|'|| pop over and check with Freddie right away.
-All right, Chapman, you can run along. -Yes, sir.
Well, then, feel like a sniff of air?
Yes, sir.
You don't realise 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'll 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.
If you get hurt or wounded on the trek, you'll be left 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.
Well, Chapman will be fine. Ice water in his veins.
Joyce is.... He'll be okay.
-|t's Warden I don't get. -Oh? Why not?
Oh, Cambridge don and all of that.
It's one thing for him to play around with explosives like a kid with firecrackers--
Well, he's not without experience, you know.
When we lost Singapore, he blew up a couple of bridges, one or two trains...
...and I don't know what else before the Japs caught him.
-Fascinating story. He-- -Sir, it's most annoying.
They say, in view of the time element...
...they don't think a few practice jumps would be worthwhile.
If you make one jump you've only got 50 percent chance of injury.
Two jumps, 80 percent. Three jumps, you're bound to get your packet.
The consensus of opinion 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?
BOTH LAUGHING
Oh, very good!
"With or without"!
J‘J‘J‘
He's in the trees!
Yai says we'll never reach the Kwai by the route you took.
There are too many Japanese patrols.
We'll swing north through heavy jungle.
-Who's going to lead the way? -Yai himself.
He hates the Japanese. They‘ve taken all his men for railroad work.
Which means we shall have to use women bearers.
-Women bearers. -We||, they're very capable, I'm told.
SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
He says it's dangerous to spend the night in the village.
There's an enemy post 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 taking 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, isn't there?
Tell that to Chapman.
Let‘s get cracking.
J‘J‘J‘
BIRDS SINGING
CAWING
CHATTERING
J‘J‘J‘
GRUNTING
J‘J‘J‘
You're lovely.
SPEAKS IN SIAMESE
Lovely.
Be happy in your work.
Yes, sir.
SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
Leeches.
SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
She's telling you to hold still. She wants to take the leeches off your back.
What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?
|'|| teach you to say that in Siamese, if you like.
No, 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 an awful 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 jungle.
You might as well dump it!
RADIO WHINES THEN BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS
WOMAN ON RADIO: This is Radio Tokyo signing off.
This is your friendliest enemy reminding you to take it easy...
...and never volunteer for anything.
RADIO BEEPING
SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY
If we stay here much longer, we'll be up to our necks.
-|'ve got 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 VIP.
Estimated to arrive target, a.m. 13th.
Three, you should synchronise demolition with passage of train.
Four, good hunting. Have fun." That's all.
A train and a bridge, that would be something.
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?
Oh, by all means. Good hunting. Good show.
Jolly good fun. Jolly, jolly good.
If you hadn't fixed the radio, we wouldn't know about the train.
Well, there's always the unexpected, isn't there?
MAN: Heave, heave, heave!
J‘J‘J‘
-Half a pint, sir. -Quinine.
Well, we'll complete this later.
-C|ipton, we're facing a crisis. -Yes, sir?
I spoke with Reeves and Hughes, and we won't finish the bridge on time.
We just haven't the manpower, that's all.
The officers have agreed to lend a hand, but even that won't do it.
You mean the officers are going to work?
I explained the situation to them and they volunteered, but it's not enough.
Why don't you ask Saito for some of his men?
This is our show. We'll make the most of our own resources.
As a matter of fact, that's why I came to talk to you. The sick list.
Look here, sir. There's not a man in this hospital who doesn't belong there.
It's no reflection on you, but there are always a few malingerers.
Keep an open mind, that's all | ask.
Come along, let's see.
Don't move, don't move.
What's the matter with Haskins?
He's got amoebic dysentery and blackwater fever. Temperature of 104.
Right. | see.
Leg ulcers. I may be able to save the leg if I do more cutting tonight.
Do you really want to send him out to work, sir?
Don't talk rot, Clipton.
That man there?
His arm's infected.
Most of them are so run-down their wounds won't heal properly.
But I wonder if fresh air and light duties might be better than being cooped up.
-Light duties? -|t's not our policy to keep a man...
-...just because he scratched his arm. -Not our policy?
A man may not be on top of his form, but he can still make himself useful.
Trimmings 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 mean.
-|'|| try, sir. -Good man.
Now, look here, men. It goes without saying, I'm proud of all of you.
But we‘re facing a crisis. For those of you who feel up to it...
...how about lending the others a hand, eh?
Fetch and carry, a spot of paint here and there?
What do you say?
MAN: Yes, sir. -Good ShOW. Come on, follow me.
J‘J‘J‘
SQUEAKING
WOMEN SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
Ten minutes.
WOMEN LAUGHING AND SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
SCREAMS
MEN SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
BATS SQUEAKING
WOMEN SOBBING
Make sure they're all dead.
Come on, Joyce.
Use your knife, man, or we'll be shooting each other.
Go that way, Joyce.
TWIGS SNAPPING
RUSTLING
GUNSHOT
I could have done it. I was ready.
Are you hit, sir?
Let‘s go.
No, it's superficial. Maybe a chipped bone, but there's nothing broken.
-|t's my fault, sir. -Oh, shut up, Joyce.
I can walk on it. That's all that counts.
Yeah, but how far and how fast?
We won't know that till I've tried it, will we?
J‘J‘J‘
What are you doing?
I didn't give orders for a halt.
We all need it.
SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
We're still five hours' fast march from the objective.
Maybe six.
Come on.
If you keep walking on that foot, you'll bleed to death.
GRUNTS
WARDEN: 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.
But, 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 it were you, Joyce, I wouldn't hesitate to leave you, and you know that.
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 now, 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, they go well together.
With you, it's one thing or the other. Destroy a bridge or destroy yourself.
This is just a game, this war.
You and that Colonel Nicholson. You're crazy with courage. For what?
How to die like a gentleman, how to die by the rules...
...when 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 I don't care about your rules.
If we go on, we go on together.
Good old Yai.
SHOUTS IN SIAMESE
All right.
J‘J‘J‘
SHOUTS IN SIAMESE
Come on.
J‘J‘J‘
Let‘s get closer.
J‘J‘J‘
Still sorry we brought you along?
-Feeling better? -Yeah.
You're in command again, you know.
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.
Those poor devils down there.
Imagine being forced to build something like that in the condition they must be in.
JOYCE: They've got a British officer working down there on his knees.
The Japanese seem to be enjoying it too.
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 be miles away.
Since we don't know what time it's going to 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.
WARDEN GRUNTS
Our side of the river is quite obviously used by the Japanese.
They‘d spot it at once.
Look. Do you see those fallen tree trunks?
And the grey rock just below them on that little beach?
JOYCE: Yes, sir, I see them. WARDEN: 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.
Well, it looks like your line of country, then.
Thank you, sir.
Shears, you'll have to pick a spot on our side where you can cover Joyce.
Yai will be with you, so the two of you should be able to occupy the Nips...
-...if they make any trouble for Joyce. -Right.
And on the theory that there's always one more thing to do...
...|'|| set up the mortar here to create an additional diversion if necessary.
Perhaps 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.
SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
Yai will take three women to help you build the raft.
One will stay here with me. All right, now, get cracking.
Shears.
You know, if it wasn‘t for my ankle, I'd take Joyce's assignment.
You think he'll be all right?
I think 30. Want me to handle it?
I'd let you stay up here with the mortar if I could.
I'm sorry.
When it's over, I hope you get that medical discharge...
...and not the hard way.
J‘J‘J‘
SPEAKS IN SIAMESE
SAITO: 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 10 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 realise you're nearer the end than the beginning.
And 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's very healthy...
...but I must admit, I've had some thoughts on those lines...
...from time to time.
But tonight...
Tonight...
I must be off.
The men are preparing some sort of entertainment.
UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING
MEN CHEERING AND WHISTLING
MEN LAUGHING
Lovely.
MUSIC PLAYING IN DISTANCE
CHEERING AND WHISTLING CONTINUE
MEN LAUGHING
MEN CHEERING AND APPLAUDING
J‘ If you were the only J‘
J‘ Girl in the world J‘
J‘ And you were the only boy J‘
BOTH: J‘ Nothing else would matter J‘
J‘ In the world today J‘
J‘ We could go on loving J‘
J‘ In the same old way J‘
J‘ A Garden of Eden Just made for two J‘
SINGING CONTINUES IN THE DISTANCE
J‘ The only boy J‘J‘
MEN CHEERING AND APPLAUDING
MUSIC AND CHEERING CONTINUES IN THE DISTANCE
SPEAKING IN SIAMESE
MEN WHISTLING AND APPLAUDING
I'm sure I speak for all of us...
...when I say this has been a most 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 this bridge we have built.
However, you'll be glad to know...
...that 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 letdown.
That's quite understandable.
It's a very natural reaction.
But one day, in a week, a month, a year...
...on 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 honour.
That, and more.
Here in the wilderness...
...you have turned defeat into victory.
I congratulate you.
MEN APPLAUDING
To the king.
MEN IN DISTANCE: J‘ God save our gracious king J‘
J‘ Long live our noble king J‘
J‘ God save the king J‘
J‘ Send him victorious J‘
J‘ Happy and glorious J‘
J‘ Long to reign over us J‘
J‘ God save the king J‘J‘
FOOTSTEPS
SPEAKING IN JAPANESE
LAUGHING THEN SPITS
You're in business.
Now, you got everything? Sten, ammunition, pack, canteen, knife.
I'll be directly across the river.
The professor says there's always one more thing to do.
I can't think of what it could be.
Except to wish you a long and happy life.
Thank you.
BIRD SQUAWKING
SPEAKS IN SIAMESE
What's happened?
SPEAKS IN SIAMESE
The river's gone down.
BIRD TRILLING
You can see the wire.
The charges!
MAN SHOUTING IN JAPANESE
GUNSHOT
MEN WHISTLING UPBEAT TUNE
Don't wait for the train.
Do it now!
MAN SHOUTS IN JAPANESE
If Saito's information is correct, the train should be along in five or 10 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, Clipton, sometimes I don't understand you at all.
Well, as you once said, sir, I've got a lotto learn about the army.
Good morning.
River's gone down in the night.
TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING IN DISTANCE
WHISTLE CONTINUES BLOWING
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.
TRAIN APPROACHING
You've got to do it, boy. You've got to do it now!
Have you a knife? I've just realised the bridge has been mined!
Mined?
Good boy!
Officer, sir, British officer! Here to blow up the bridge.
-B|ow up the bridge? -Yes, sir. British commando orders.
-B|ow up the bridge?! -Yes. There's no time!
No, no! Help!
MAN SHOUTING IN JAPANESE
Help!
Let me go, sir! You don't understand, sir!
NICHOLSON: Help!
TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING
GUNSHOTS
Kill him, Joyce! Kill him!
GUNSHOTS
JOYCE GRUNTS
GUNFIRE
SHOUTING IN JAPANESE
GUNSHOTS AND EXPLOSION
GRUNTS
TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING
What have I done?
TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING
Madness!
I had to do it.
They might have been captured alive!
It was the only thing to do!
CLATTERING
SPEAKS IN SIAMESE
J‘J‘J‘
Madness.
Madness!
J‘J‘J‘
Translated by: Ryan D.