"The Bridge on the River Kwai" is a prinoner-of-war drama at its best, masterfully directed by David Lean.

Amazing direction, and the whole approach to making this film is timeless - a study in being ahead of its time. Stunning set pieces and production design - such and effort was put into this. Fantastic cinematography, filled to the brim with pitch-perfect pans, wide-shots, and tracking-shots. Intense and dramatic score, deservedly receiving one of the total of seven Academy Awards. Brilliant cast and in particular Alec Guinness, who perfectly portrays a man of honour.

What is a big shame is the way Colonel Philip Toosey - the original colonel, portrayed through Nicholson - was misrepresented, in that he actually acted very differently and much more courageously than in the film.

Nonetheless, as a look into the historic event that took place in 1943 Burma, it is absolutely brilliant, and although the film does not carry loads of emotional moments, it is technically excellent, and greatly entertaining.

Highly recommended.

SPOILER: This film is long (161 minutes), is almost 40 years old, and yet still is terrific, still holds up and will forever, I suspect, be considered one of the greatest war movies ever made.

'Kwai' is particularly amazing in that there is very little action in it, yet it consistently entertains - during the actual movie and no matter when you see it. It entertained me when I saw in the theater as a 12- year-old as years later as a 50-something-year-old seeing it on DVD. I say this to encourage younger people to check this film out, and give it a chance.

Anyone who is fascinated with character studies might find this particularly interesting with Alec Guiness' role in here as Colonel Nicholson. He was mesmerizing in his role. William Holden, Sessue Hayakawan, Jack Hawkins and the rest of the cast are all excellent, with the four mentioned above perhaps playing the roles of their lives.

The gorgeous countryside of Ceylon is photographed beautifully. David Lean, one of the all-time great directors, did this film, too, so it certainly has good credentials. A winner of seven Oscars, this great movie has stood the test of time.

A group of British soldiers arrive in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, led by Colonel Nicholson, their captors order them to build a bridge linking Burma to Siam.

Having recently been wowed by Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on The River Kwai seemed like the next logical choice, it's been some time since I last watched it, and the memory I have going in, is that it's a masterpiece.

I wonder if David Lean realised what he'd created when he completed this film, a timeless classic, a film for the ages.

I know it's a film, but wow do you get a sense of what those poor men must have suffered, prisoners in the hands of a cruel bunch of captors, with no regard for international rule.

Incredibly well made, a production of epic proportions that holds up perfectly to this day, amazing location work, costumes, and sets, and remember there were no special effects to rely on in 1957.

So many scenes are incredible, so it's hard to highlight one, however the scene that had me hugely absorbed was that incredible moment where Nicholson and Colonel Saito try to come to an agreement about work on the bridge over a glass of Johnny Walker red label.

Sir Alec Guinness gives arguably his finest ever performance, and let's be honest, he delivered countless masterclasses. His delivery and actions are incredible, Nicholson is tough, rigid, determined, proper and loaded with a sense of duty.

What is fascinating to contemplate is Nicholson's real motive for choosing to convince the men to work, was it to keep them occupied, or for other reasons, such as a legacy to be admired, interesting.

Amazing cast, William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, everyone plays their part.

It's virtually perfect, 10/10.