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From Amazon.co.uk
Based on the true story of the building of a bridge on the Burma railway by British prisoners-of-war held under a savage Japanese regime in World War II, The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) is one of the greatest war films ever made. The film received seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Performance (Alex Guinness), for Sir Malcolm Arnold's superb music, and for the screenplay from the novel by Pierre Boulle (who also wrote Monkey Planet, the inspiration for Planet of the Apes). The story does take considerable liberties with history, including the addition of an American saboteur played by William Holden, and an entirely fictitious but superbly constructed and thrilling finale. Made on a vast scale, the film reinvented the war movie as something truly epic, establishing the cinematic beachhead for The Longest Day (1962), Patton (1970) and A Bridge Too Far (1977). It also proved a turning-point in director David Lean's career. Before he made such classic but conventionally scaled films as In Which We Serve (1942) and Hobson's Choice (1953). Afterwards there would only be four more films, but their names are Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Dr Zhivago (1965), Ryan's Daughter (1970) and A Passage to India (1984).
On the DVD: Too often the best extras come attached to films that don't really warrant them. Not so here, where a truly great film has been given the attention it deserves. The first disc presents the film in the original extra-wide CinemaScope ratio of 2.55:1, in an anamorphically enhanced transfer which does maximum justice to the film's superb cinematography. The sound has been transferred from the original six-track magnetic elements into 5.1 Dolby Digital and far surpasses what many would expect from a 1950s' feature. The main bonus on the first disc is an isolated presentation of Malcolm Arnold's great Oscar-winning music score, in addition to which there is a trivia game, and maps and historical information linked to appropriate clips.
The second disc contains a new, specially produced 53-minute "making of" documentary featuring many of those involved in the production of the movie. This gives a rich insight into the physical problems of making such a complex epic on location in Ceylon. Also included are the original trailer and two short promotional films from the time of release, one of which is narrated by star William Holden. Finally there is an "appreciation" by director John Milius, an extensive archive of movie posters and artwork, and a booklet that reproduces the text of the film's original 1957 brochure. --Gary S Dalkin
Product Description
After settling his differences with a Japanese PoW camp commander, a British colonel co-operates to oversee his men's construction of a railway bridge for their captors--while oblivious to a plan by the Allies to destroy it.
More Special Features
Spectacularly produced, and the winner of seven Academy Awards' (1957) including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor (Alec Guinness), The Bridge on the River Kwai continues to be one of the most memorable cinematic experiences of all time. Now, for the first time on Blu-rayTM, following an extensive all-new 4K digital restoration from the original negative with newly re-mastered 5.1 audio, experience director David Lean's masterpiece as you never have before.
- William Holden and Alec Guinness on The Steve Allen Show
- The Bridge on the River Kwai Premiere, Narrated by William Holden
- Crossing the Bridge: Picture-in-Graphics Track: Includes information on the progression of the bridge’s construction, the challenges of creating a bridge in the jungle during wartime, the real POW experience, and a book to screen comparison.
- Original Trailers
More Special Features
- Four Featurettes
- Making of The Bridge on the River Kwai
- USC short film introduced by William Holden
- “An Appreciation” by Filmmaker John Milius
- “Rise and Fall of a Jungle Giant” - Photo Gallery
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By Chris White
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
If further proof be needed that when it comes to Blu-ray, the old ones are the best ones, along comes this superb version of The Bridge on the River Kwai.
Occasionally in HD/Blu-ray forums I read ill-informed comments that such and such a film will look rubbish on Blu-ray because it 'pre-dates HD'. Well this one was released in 1957: see for yourselves. The fact is that film has a vastly high resolution to begin with, even greater than that of Blu-ray. As long as the original negative is in a pristine condition, it can't help but look better. Many older movies are given a new lease of life on the format and quite often - thanks to state-of-the-art restoration techniques - can sit proudly alongside the best of today's titles.
BotRK boasts a fine new transfer: "a 4K digital restoration from the original negative with newly remastered 5.1 audio" according to the sleeve notes. If the film does show its age to some degree, it's where the source elements don't quite match and look slightly grainier. This is certainly true of the opening few minutes but don't let that put you off. Once the PoWs have marched into camp, the picture is exemplary and is easily on a par with other highly regarded Blu-rays, such as Zulu or The Sound of Music. The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack has been mixed with care: any effects are only sent to the surround channels when the scene justifies it and not for their own sake. Music for the most part is confined to the front stage and a crisp dialogue track is anchored to the centre, where it belongs.
As regards the film itself, it won seven Academy Awards and deservedly so. Alec Guinness' portrayal of the by-the-rules British colonel, who engages in a stubborn battle of wills and then elects to put his men's morale above the Allies' war objective, is one of the all-time great performances.
This is a movie that I came to quite late in life and upon first viewing, it held my attention completely from beginning to end. It's now arrived for a new generation to discover in the best way possible. You don't know how spoilt you are.
Occasionally in HD/Blu-ray forums I read ill-informed comments that such and such a film will look rubbish on Blu-ray because it 'pre-dates HD'. Well this one was released in 1957: see for yourselves. The fact is that film has a vastly high resolution to begin with, even greater than that of Blu-ray. As long as the original negative is in a pristine condition, it can't help but look better. Many older movies are given a new lease of life on the format and quite often - thanks to state-of-the-art restoration techniques - can sit proudly alongside the best of today's titles.
BotRK boasts a fine new transfer: "a 4K digital restoration from the original negative with newly remastered 5.1 audio" according to the sleeve notes. If the film does show its age to some degree, it's where the source elements don't quite match and look slightly grainier. This is certainly true of the opening few minutes but don't let that put you off. Once the PoWs have marched into camp, the picture is exemplary and is easily on a par with other highly regarded Blu-rays, such as Zulu or The Sound of Music. The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack has been mixed with care: any effects are only sent to the surround channels when the scene justifies it and not for their own sake. Music for the most part is confined to the front stage and a crisp dialogue track is anchored to the centre, where it belongs.
As regards the film itself, it won seven Academy Awards and deservedly so. Alec Guinness' portrayal of the by-the-rules British colonel, who engages in a stubborn battle of wills and then elects to put his men's morale above the Allies' war objective, is one of the all-time great performances.
This is a movie that I came to quite late in life and upon first viewing, it held my attention completely from beginning to end. It's now arrived for a new generation to discover in the best way possible. You don't know how spoilt you are.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Sarakani
Format:DVD
I can't name my favourite book - there are too many. But my favourite film has to be this. Principally I am attached to its depiction of Sri Lanka including waterfalls, rivers and a sense of jungle even if some of the film was filmed in pretend jungle in botanic gardens. I think this film is so incredibly well packaged and the script is so good and the visuals are stunning - that I can return to it again and again.
The criticism is that this film does not relate any reality. Those who want to know about the real Bridge can go to Thailand and do their own research.
This is principally an entertaining "war" film all about face, principles, the British Empire, life in the army with a not unsympathetic portrayal of the Japanese general who in reality would have represented a more brutal oppressor.
Everything about this film resonates with something you can connect with in daily life:
"Without rules commander there would be no civilisation"
"We're under the heel of a man who'll stop at nothing to get his way"
"As for me, I'm just a slave, a living slave"
"someone deserves a medal sir!"
Some excellent speeches and a panoramic look at Life and Sri Lanka, captured at a time a little more pristine than at present. Extraordinary climax at end with tremendous camera shots for a 50s film. Brilliant!
The criticism is that this film does not relate any reality. Those who want to know about the real Bridge can go to Thailand and do their own research.
This is principally an entertaining "war" film all about face, principles, the British Empire, life in the army with a not unsympathetic portrayal of the Japanese general who in reality would have represented a more brutal oppressor.
Everything about this film resonates with something you can connect with in daily life:
"Without rules commander there would be no civilisation"
"We're under the heel of a man who'll stop at nothing to get his way"
"As for me, I'm just a slave, a living slave"
"someone deserves a medal sir!"
Some excellent speeches and a panoramic look at Life and Sri Lanka, captured at a time a little more pristine than at present. Extraordinary climax at end with tremendous camera shots for a 50s film. Brilliant!
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Tim
Format:DVD
I shan't bother describing the films themselves here, as you can find many good reviews elsewhere on Amazon. The box set is reasonably well put together, although the hinging of the plastic trays that contain the discs looks a bit flimsy (held together by Sellotape?). The discs and booklets for each film are taken directly from the Columbia Tri-Star releases of the fims available individually. However you only get disc 1 from the "Bridge on the River Kwai" two-disc set released in 2000. You lose some of the "making-of" documentaries, interviews and picture galleries ... but you get the film, which is the important thing!
The "Bridge on the River Kwai" is a remastered version with a remixed Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. I found the stereo separation too wide for my tastes and would have liked the option of the original mono soundtrack (artefacts and all). Picture quality is fair, although there are some scratches and hairs during the opening credits as well as the occasional jump during the film.
"From Here to Eternity" has the original mono soundtrack (I believe a Superbit Dolby 5.1 version is also available, but, really, what's the point?!). Note that this film is shot in black and white.
"The Guns Of Navarone" has surround sound and the picture quality is good.
In conclusion, if you're not bothered by the lack of extras, I would highly recommend this set. At the current prices you save 10 pounds compared with buying the films separately (16 vs. 26 pounds).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good old british classic!
I have to ay it-the British war films always are the best! no cheap cheesy acting here-You have the true British courage here,and it shows why Britain has a proud military... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Mr. M. K. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
a classic
another classic film ,best watched on blu-ray,another film on the 3 for £17 a bargin arrived very quick ,very pleased
Published 1 month ago by T. G. Parris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Absolutely out of this world. Lit up my life and it has never been the same since, grab a bargain and switch on!
Published 1 month ago by S C Cousins/sccousins@btinternet.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
un gran clasico
esta es una de esas peliculas que no puedes dejar de tener en tu videoteca.imprescindible en cualquier colección de cine. Read more
Published 1 month ago by xavier holmes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb viewing
This film is very well done, the acting is superb, but most of all it brings across what sheer bravery these men had in these awful conditions of war.
Published 1 month ago by LOTTO WIZARD
5.0 out of 5 stars
The bridge on the river kwai blu ray
Really great film and with great actors as well and bought for my two sons with other blu rays and DVDs
Published 1 month ago by Sandra Bush
5.0 out of 5 stars
STUNNING BLU RAY TRANSFER
Most people would have either seen this movie, or at least heard of it, and know the story, but for those that haven't here is the basic story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Bridge on the River Kwai [Blu-ray] [2011][Region Free]
Excellent film, the old one's are really the best. I was a bit worried in the opening sequence because the picture wasn't great, but as soon as the opening credits had finished the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Stuart C
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
This is a classic British film, one of the best ever made. You can understand, one you've watched it, why it received so many awards in 1958; because it was so touching for those... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kevin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good bluray and great movie
Well somehow I don't think I've ever seen this before. But I've done well to wait for the bluray as the quality of picture is very good. Presented in 2. Read more
Published 4 months ago by S J Buck
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