from amazon.com

Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, Drama)

Starring William Holden, Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa. Director: David Lean. Novel: Pierre Boulle

Well, this movie racked in the Academy Awards, earning acting Oscars for Alan Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa.The former won for his exceptional performance as the stern Col. Nicholson. Unfortunately, he did not choose to make his appearance at the ceremony, so Jean Simmons collected the Best Actor statuette for this British actor. And how can we forget the marvelous Col. Saito, the stubborn Japanese prison camp leader, which rightfully earned Sessue Hayakawa the trophy for Best Supporting Actor. Of course, David Lean took home a directing statuette. This film won Best Picture, but I was a bit confused at the plot. I still do not completely comprehend how by building that bridge did the men turn a defeat into victory?

Colonel Nicholson: It is 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 honor, that and more, here in the wilderness. You have turned defeat into victory. I congratulate you. Well done.

The following is perhaps my favorite line from this been usual movie because it got me pondering my own life:

Colonel Nicholson: I've been thinking. Tomorrow it will be twenty-eight 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 loved 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. 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. Hardly made any difference at all, I was thinking about my life, and what difference will my life have made. This just gives me new inspiration to write more in
my book. You see, by writing my novel, I will teach people to value and respect disabled people as normal, ordinary human beings. Only then, will I have made a difference.

I don't know, but at least this movie got me working on my book. Well acted, good music. You get to see William Holden without a shirt, so it can't be deemed a waste! :-) As my family can testify, I have been making noises to the tune of their legendary whistling song. Okay movie! :-)