The Bridge over the River Kwai taken in June 2004. The round shaped spans are original, the others have been replaced after demolition.

Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on ebay!

This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge over the River Kwai (French:Le Pont de la Rivière Kwai) is a novel by Pierre Boulle, published in 1952, that won France's "Prix Ste Beuve. more...

 HomeHome
ActionAction
Art FilmsArt Films
ClassicsClassics
12 Angry Men12 Angry Men
All About EveAll About Eve
Ben-HurBen-Hur
Butch Cassidy and the...Butch Cassidy and the...
CasablancaCasablanca
Citizen KaneCitizen Kane
City LightsCity Lights
Double IndemnityDouble Indemnity
Dr. StrangeloveDr. Strangelove
Duck SoupDuck Soup
For a Few Dollars MoreFor a Few Dollars More
Gone with the WindGone with the Wind
High NoonHigh Noon
It Happened One NightIt Happened One Night
It's a Wonderful LifeIt's a Wonderful Life
Kind Hearts and CoronetsKind Hearts and Coronets
Lawrence of ArabiaLawrence of Arabia
Metropolis movieMetropolis movie
Modern TimesModern Times
Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonMr. Smith Goes to Washington
Nights of CabiriaNights of Cabiria
North by NorthwestNorth by Northwest
NotoriousNotorious
On the WaterfrontOn the Waterfront
Once Upon a Time in the WestOnce Upon a Time in the West
Paths of GloryPaths of Glory
PsychoPsycho
RashomonRashomon
Rear WindowRear Window
RebeccaRebecca
Shadow of a DoubtShadow of a Doubt
Shichinin no samuraiShichinin no samurai
Singin' in the RainSingin' in the Rain
Some Like It Hot Some Like It Hot
Stalag 17Stalag 17
Strangers on a TrainStrangers on a Train
Sunset BoulevardSunset Boulevard
The Adventures of Robin HoodThe Adventures of Robin Hood
The African QueenThe African Queen
The Best Years of Our LivesThe Best Years of Our Lives
The Bicycle ThiefThe Bicycle Thief
The Big SleepThe Big Sleep
The Bridge on the River KwaiThe Bridge on the River Kwai
The Gold RushThe Gold Rush
The Good, the Bad and the...The Good, the Bad and the...
The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath
The Great DictatorThe Great Dictator
The Great EscapeThe Great Escape
The Maltese FalconThe Maltese Falcon
The Night of the HunterThe Night of the Hunter
The Philadelphia StoryThe Philadelphia Story
The Seven SamuraiThe Seven Samurai
The Seventh SealThe Seventh Seal
The Third ManThe Third Man
The Treasure of the...The Treasure of the...
The Wages of FearThe Wages of Fear
The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz
To Kill a MockingbirdTo Kill a Mockingbird
Touch of EvilTouch of Evil
VertigoVertigo
Witness for the ProsecutionWitness for the Prosecution
YojimboYojimbo
ComedyComedy
DocumentaryDocumentary
DramaDrama
HorrorHorror
Movie PropsMovie Props
Sci-Fi / FantasySci-Fi / Fantasy

" It is a fictional story but it is based upon the real plight of Allied prisoners of war during World War II forced to build the 258-mile Death Railway by Japanese forces.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) was a Anglo-American war film based on the book. It was filmed mostly in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) near Kitulgala (close to a rest-house there today) with a few scenes shot in England.

The story is based on the building in 1943 of one of the railway bridges over the Kwai Yai at a place called Tamarkan five kilometres from the Thai town of Kanchanaburi. This was part of a project to link existing Thai and Burmese railway lines to create a route from Bangkok, Thailand to Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) to support the Japanese occupation of Burma. About a hundred thousand conscripted Asian labourers and 16,000 prisoners of war died on the whole project.

The destruction of the bridge in the film was accomplished by blowing up a full-sized bridge as a real train drove over it. This may have been the first time such a scene had been attempted without model shots since the silent film era. (Buster Keaton's The General includes an almost identical scene.)

One memorable feature of the movie is the tune that is whistled by the POW's—the "Colonel Bogey March"—and is now widely associated with the movie, and even sometimes referred to as the "River Kwai March." Besides serving as an example of British fortitude and dignity in the face of privation, it suggested (whether or not intended by the screenwriters) a specific symbol of defiance to many movie-goers of the period: WW II veterans (and many of their baby-boom sons) thought of the tune as that of a mockery of Japan's principal ally.

Fiction versus fact

Although the suffering caused by the building of the Burma Railway and its bridges is true, the incidents in the film are entirely fictional. The real senior Allied officer at the bridge was Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Toosey, who was a remarkable officer. The film is thought by many to be an insulting parody of a great man. Former prisoners have said that it is unlikely that a man like the fictional Nicholson could have risen to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. If he had, they said that he probably would have been quietly eliminated by the other prisoners.

Pierre Boulle, who had been a prisoner of war in Thailand, reportedly created the fictional Nicholson character as an amalgam of his memories of collaborating French officers. The film added David Lean's view of the Army, and Alec Guinness's interpretation of the character as mad.

The destruction of the bridge as depicted in the film is entirely fictional. In fact two bridges were built: a temporary wooden bridge and a few months later a permanent steel and concrete bridge. Both bridges were used for two years until they were destroyed by Allied aerial bombing. The steel bridge was repaired and is still in use today.

Read more at Wikipedia.org
• [List your site here Free!]
The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics Widescreen)The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics Widescreen) $6.99 The Bridge Over the River Kwai (Cinema Classics) - Hardcover - GoodThe Bridge Over the River Kwai (Cinema Classics) - Hardcover - Good $7.64
Bridge on the River Kwai, the (Original Version) / Caine Mutiny, the / Das (Dvd)Bridge on the River Kwai, the (Original Version) / Caine Mutiny, the / Das (Dvd) $26.47 The Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle (1964, Paperback)The Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle (1964, Paperback) $5.99
The Bridge on The River Kwai Vhs tape Ships Free Same Day With TrackingThe Bridge on The River Kwai Vhs tape Ships Free Same Day With Tracking $8.87 The Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle 1964The Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle 1964 $23.00
The Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs 1985 Sealed New Rca ColumbiaThe Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs 1985 Sealed New Rca Columbia $11.99 The Bridge On The River Kwai 2 Disc Set On Ced Not Laserdisc New/SealedThe Bridge On The River Kwai 2 Disc Set On Ced Not Laserdisc New/Sealed $12.99
The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics)The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics) $1.44 The Bridge on The River Kwai-Sealed/Nos-1991 Vhs Columbia Classics- Fast Ship!The Bridge on The River Kwai-Sealed/Nos-1991 Vhs Columbia Classics- Fast Ship! $9.80
Columbia Classics The Bridge On The River Kwai Best Picture 1957 Still SealedColumbia Classics The Bridge On The River Kwai Best Picture 1957 Still Sealed $1.99 The Bridge on the River Kwai (Dvd, 1957) New Sealed William Holden Wwii ClassicThe Bridge on the River Kwai (Dvd, 1957) New Sealed William Holden Wwii Classic $8.45
The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics Widescreen New SealedThe Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics Widescreen New Sealed $5.88 The Bridge On The River Kwai (Vhs, 1991) Brand New, SealedThe Bridge On The River Kwai (Vhs, 1991) Brand New, Sealed $7.99
The Bridge on the River Kwai, Vhs 1985, Used.The Bridge on the River Kwai, Vhs 1985, Used. $9.00 The Bridge Over The River Kwai (Cinema Classics) By Pierre Boulle - HardcoverThe Bridge Over The River Kwai (Cinema Classics) By Pierre Boulle - Hardcover $25.95
Cinema Classics: The Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle 2000 HcdjCinema Classics: The Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle 2000 Hcdj $10.04 Classic Movie Lot - Dvd's and Blu-Rays - Pick and ChooseClassic Movie Lot - Dvd's and Blu-Rays - Pick and Choose $2.99 to
The Bridge on the River Kwai 1957 Blu-ray/Dvd (2010) 2-Disc Ce Brand NewThe Bridge on the River Kwai 1957 Blu-ray/Dvd (2010) 2-Disc Ce Brand New $20.00 The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs) Columbia Classics Cinemascope NewThe Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs) Columbia Classics Cinemascope New $7.99
The Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle - 1957 - 7th Printing Vintage PbThe Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle - 1957 - 7th Printing Vintage Pb $3.86 New: Combat Classics Bridge On The River Kwai | Guns Of Narvone Movie Dvd R4 PalNew: Combat Classics Bridge On The River Kwai | Guns Of Narvone Movie Dvd R4 Pal $6.85
The Bridge on the River Kwai Vintage Vhs Movie New SealedThe Bridge on the River Kwai Vintage Vhs Movie New Sealed $7.95 The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs 1993), Columbia Classics Brand New SealedThe Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs 1993), Columbia Classics Brand New Sealed $9.79
The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics Widescreen Expired)The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics Widescreen Expired) $2.50 The Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs 1998 Columbia Classics Y2K Htf New SealedThe Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs 1998 Columbia Classics Y2K Htf New Sealed $31.32
The Bridge on the River Kwai William HoldenThe Bridge on the River Kwai William Holden $8.00 The Bridge On The River Kwai - Vhs 1998 - Willaim Holden - Alec Guinness - NewThe Bridge On The River Kwai - Vhs 1998 - Willaim Holden - Alec Guinness - New $10.99
Bridge On The River Kwai 1957 Uk quad poster print 30x40" William Holden Freep&PBridge On The River Kwai 1957 Uk quad poster print 30x40" William Holden Freep&P $32.72 The Bridge Over The River Kwai Pierre Boulle 1963 War Classic Ww2 Bantam BookThe Bridge Over The River Kwai Pierre Boulle 1963 War Classic Ww2 Bantam Book $13.75
The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs)The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs) $10.00 The Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs 1985 Columbia Pictures Very Good ConditionThe Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs 1985 Columbia Pictures Very Good Condition $8.62
The Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs Video Tape Columbia ClassicsThe Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs Video Tape Columbia Classics $14.99 The Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs William Holden Alec Guinness New SealedThe Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs William Holden Alec Guinness New Sealed $11.00
The Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs Brand New, Sealed, WatermarkThe Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs Brand New, Sealed, Watermark $14.99 The Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics) New SealedThe Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics) New Sealed $5.99
Blu Ray Bundle Disc Lot of 3 Classics Rambo Monty Python Bridge on River KwaiBlu Ray Bundle Disc Lot of 3 Classics Rambo Monty Python Bridge on River Kwai $18.00 The Bridge on The River Kwai Vhs Columbia Classics William HoldenThe Bridge on The River Kwai Vhs Columbia Classics William Holden $7.00
The Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs Columbia Classics New Digitally RemasteredThe Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs Columbia Classics New Digitally Remastered $4.00 Create Your Own Dvd Bundle - Classic Movies Priced $3-5, $5 flat rate shipping.Create Your Own Dvd Bundle - Classic Movies Priced $3-5, $5 flat rate shipping. $3.00 to
The Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs Columbia Pictures NewThe Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs Columbia Pictures New $7.27 Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs Sealed. Columbia Classics. 1993.Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs Sealed. Columbia Classics. 1993. $55.99
Rare ~ Columbia Classics The Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs ~ New SealedRare ~ Columbia Classics The Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs ~ New Sealed $14.99 The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957) Vhs New Sealed Rca/ColumbiaThe Bridge On The River Kwai (1957) Vhs New Sealed Rca/Columbia $8.00
The Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs, 1998 William Holden Alec Guinness New SealedThe Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs, 1998 William Holden Alec Guinness New Sealed $5.95 The Bridge on The River Kwai Vhs Movie New Factory Sealed William Holden 1957The Bridge on The River Kwai Vhs Movie New Factory Sealed William Holden 1957 $17.99
The Bridge over the River Kwai [Cinema Classics]The Bridge over the River Kwai [Cinema Classics] $8.63 The Bridge on the River Kwai Dvd classic war movie Ww2 Alec Guinness!The Bridge on the River Kwai Dvd classic war movie Ww2 Alec Guinness! $6.28
New ListingThe Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics Widescreen Expired)New ListingThe Bridge on the River Kwai (Vhs, 1998, Columbia Classics Widescreen Expired) $2.49 The Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs 1993 Columbia Classics Studio Heritage- NewThe Bridge on the River Kwai Vhs 1993 Columbia Classics Studio Heritage- New $9.95
Vhs "Bridge On The River Kwai" - William Holden & Alec Guinness - classic Ww2Vhs "Bridge On The River Kwai" - William Holden & Alec Guinness - classic Ww2 $1.26 The Bridge On The River Kwai (New Sealed Cd) Hiroshima Wind OrchestraThe Bridge On The River Kwai (New Sealed Cd) Hiroshima Wind Orchestra $27.02
The Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs Tape Columbia Classics Brand New Sealed!The Bridge On The River Kwai Vhs Tape Columbia Classics Brand New Sealed! $2.99 Wwii Original Movie Classics (5 Dvd Tin) Guns of Navarone, Bridge on River KwaiWwii Original Movie Classics (5 Dvd Tin) Guns of Navarone, Bridge on River Kwai $22.99
Click to see more The Bridge on the River Kwai items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 09/04/24 6:01am.
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay