The Bridge on the River Kwai

British soldiers are forced to build a bridge in a Japanese prison camp during World War Two. At first the soldiers attempt to delay and sabotage the bridge as much as possible until a colonel convinces them to build the bridge properly. Loyalties and friendships are tested with outside forces attempting to destroy the bridge. The Bridge on the River Kwai was a success with audiences and critics and is remembered as one of the great war epics.

Production

Directed by David Lean

Produced by Sam Spiegel

Screenplay by Carl Foreman, Michael Wilson

Based on The Bridge over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle

Starring William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, Sessue Hayakawa

Music by Malcolm Arnold

Cinematography by Jack Hildyard

Edited by Peter Taylor

Production company: Horizon Pictures

Distribution & Stats

Distributed by Columbia Pictures

Release date: 2 October 1957 (United Kingdom,) 14 December 1957 (United States)

Running time: 161 minutes

Country: United Kingdom, United States

Language: English

Budget: $2.8 million

Box office: $30.6 million (worldwide rentals from initial release)