# The Bridge on the River Kwai - should I watch it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 6, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642 "2010-11-06T00:03:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/1 "2010-11-06T00:03:10Z")
Starting on TCM momentarily. I’ve only seen snippets of it, and of course heard the whistling. Worth watching? Or should I put Dire Straits on the stereo? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/2 "2010-11-06T00:06:56Z")
Go for it. Long movie though, nearly 3 hours. Now, I’m trying to decide if I should watch that or House and one of my Netflix movies. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/3 "2010-11-06T00:13:11Z")
Depends what you like, I suppose. I watch some old movies just to find out what the fuss is about; whether they live up to their reputations. It seems they seldom do, even if there’s nothing wrong with the movie. The same impetus to see the movie so I can participate in the shared history and language of film also means I’ve probably been spoilered from letting it play out before me. Or it may just be my own quirky tastes. I’ve seen some old movies I stumbled on by accident and found absolutely riveting or hilarious. I’ve seen _The Bridge on the River Kwai_, and it was good, but not legendarily great. If you want to satisfy your curiousity and have an opinion on it, good or bad, go for it. And in the time it took to write this, you’ve probably missed the beginning. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/4 "2010-11-06T00:28:01Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > And in the time it took to write this, you’ve probably missed the beginning. Nah, I’ve got it on, though admittedly with only half my attention. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/5 "2010-11-06T00:29:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Depends what you like, I suppose. As a rule, the older movies I like are comedies or noir. But you never know. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/6 "2010-11-06T00:50:32Z")
I wish they’d made it without William Holden. Cranky, condescending, selfish 1950’s white guy fucked up every movie he was in. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/7 "2010-11-06T00:59:50Z")
It’s worth it just to see Alec Guinness go from duty-bound to batshit. ---
**Author:** ![monkeylucifer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@monkeylucifer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monkeylucifer)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/8 "2010-11-06T01:12:53Z")
Only if you want to see a fantastic movie and get a whistling song stuck in your head for days. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/9 "2010-11-06T01:21:54Z")
whistling is kind of corny especially at the audio level they have it. good enough to watch at least once. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/10 "2010-11-06T01:30:06Z")
I think it’s worth watching. The special effects hold up well by today’s standards and it builds suspense admirably. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/11 "2010-11-06T01:40:36Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > I wish they’d made it without William Holden. Cranky, condescending, selfish 1950’s white guy fucked up every movie he was in. Fucking white guys. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/12 "2010-11-06T01:40:49Z")
It’s a good movie. Partially based on history. There’s a web site that discusses the inaccuracies. But, if you watch it purely for entertainment then it is one of the better WWII movies. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/13 "2010-11-06T01:43:34Z")
Yes, no Japanese labor camp commander would have been so humane to his prisoners - it would have been a far greater dishonor than not getting a bridge done on time. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/14 "2010-11-06T02:47:20Z")
It’s one of my 4 or 5 favorite movies. I hope you’re enjoying it! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/15 "2010-11-06T03:05:44Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > I wish they’d made it without William Holden. Cranky, condescending, selfish 1950’s white guy fucked up every movie he was in. Those are the very qualities that made _Network_ one of the greatest films ever. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/16 "2010-11-06T03:32:38Z")
One of my favorite movies. It is a movie you want to see at least once. ---
**Author:** ![Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fried_Dough_Ho)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/17 "2010-11-06T03:37:19Z")
Alec Guinness at his finest! And the finale is stunning. ---
**Author:** ![Box\_A\_Rox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47774/32.png) [@Box\_A\_Rox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Box_A_Rox)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/18 "2010-11-06T03:48:00Z")
Good movie, good acting, and you’ll be whistling the theme song for a month! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/19 "2010-11-06T04:13:24Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > I wish they’d made it without William Holden. Cranky, condescending, selfish 1950’s white guy fucked up every movie he was in. Really? _Sunset Blvd._? _Stalag 17_? _The Wild Bunch_? _Network_? > [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](#): > > Alec Guinness at his finest! And the finale is stunning. Hmmm…Guinness was at his finest when he was understated. _Kind Hearts and Coronets_, _Our Man In Havana_, _The Horse’s Mouth_, _Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy_. _The Bridge on the River Kwai_ is about the closest that Guinness ever got to scenery-chewing, and while it is an iconic performance, I wouldn’t call it his best. He seems to be portraying almost a parody of a British officer. The film itself is a good Saturday afternoon time-waster, but for entertainment value it doesn’t compare to Sturges’ _The Great Escape_, and for epic grandeur it doesn’t top Lean’s own _Lawrence of Arabia_. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642/20 "2010-11-06T04:16:49Z")
> [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](#): > > And the finale is stunning. Madness! _MADNESS!_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai-should-i-watch-it/559642.md?page=2)