Review of The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) by Jordan P — 21 Jan 2019

This film tries to showcase an idea of honor before all else, but how sometimes pride in one's own work can sabotage one's honor, and how it also can sabotage one's work too. The Colonel's character shows the Japanese warden that men who are treated well and who are utilized for their talents will always do more than those who are slaves.

A man's pride gives him a stake in his work because it reflects himself, and it's a Marxist idea that actually generally holds true. Saito is completely outclassed throughout the entire movie, and he knows it.

He knows that he has dishonored himself through his own pride and through the conduct that he has demonstrated to his captives, and this is why the Colonel demonstrated the power of the British man, to show that the rule of law was greater civilization than what was at the time being practiced by the Axis powers.

Now of course, the British man did many misdeeds of their own, so this could be a kind of cultural hypocrisy, as is the defense of enemy assets during wartime, but while the former may have good and bad qualities, "going native" in war is generally considered to be a great debasement of honor, no matter what culture you are from.

The Colonel was a very interesting character, and this film would be a good watch just for the philosophies behind each character's actions. Alec Guinness steals the show, no question, and the cinematography is wonderful for its time.

This is a great movie, even if it has shortcomings. I could go on for ages about the implications behind it, but I think this will do.