Excellent character study, that fleshes out psyches and makes you question who is in the right, while not giving you a clear answer. Couple that with some knockout performances, makes this prestigious and timeless.

Such a brilliant film. And just gorgeous looking. I remember watching this awhile ago and I think that tune they sing left the impression in my mind that it was an uplifting story with a happy ending. Boy oh boy did I remember that part wrong. So brutal.

A struggle for morale, camaraderie and general human compassion in the dregs of a harsh, tropical POW camp during World War II. The cruel conditions and flagrant disregard for prisoners’ rights cause conflict between the guards and a new troupe of British captives, but the pride and determination of leadership in the face of such adversity gradually earns the men a measure of due respect. Alec Guinness won an Oscar for his portrayal of said leader, a determined military man who takes no quarter despite terrible punishment and still harbors the notion of brotherhood with his captors.

Therein lies the moral conflict, as Guinness and his men develop a strained kinship with the Japanese officers while an escaped American works in secrecy to undermine the entire operation. Tricky waters to navigate, since we feel a mix of enthusiasm and reluctance for both perspectives. Everyone has a distinct, relatable motivation - even the seemingly-merciless captors - which makes this something much more than your usual yay-rah, blow 'em up wartime picture. An astonishingly even-handed take on a racially charged historical conflict that was still very fresh in national hearts and minds at the time of its release.

Colonel Nicholson is a very interesting character. Alec Guinness really gives just an amazing performance. The movie is too long and the first two acts can drag quite a bit. The third act really picks up though and the last ten minutes are really intense.

Paco Cinema: Image 3.5/5 and Sound 3.5/5. This is where David Lean begins his great epics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83bmsluWHZc

These soldiers need to learn how to whistle closer to the beat. They spend all that time learning how to build a bridge, but when it comes to important musical skills they slack off a bit.

So this movie won best picture because it is flat out great (better than 12 Angry Men? I don't know). It does a great job of showing off the aspects of war that don't make great moral sense depending on how you look at them. Obi Wan is being so stubborn to detailed "rules" of how we go about killing each other sometimes.

The whole concept of whether or not captured soldiers should work their best to help build things for the other side is pretty interesting. I can see both thought processes, and I love watching them both develop.

I only have one issue with this film. Alec Guinness's character picks up and drinks a glass of Johnny Walker Red Label. I feel like he'd be above that.

A great 50's picture with a fine cast and I liked how it ended with a bang.

Alec Guinness steals the show in a way too long and not so accurate depiction of how prisoners were treated by the Japanese. Starts slow, but gets going eventually. I’ve seen better and worse.

The film is a beautiful fable.

So... Englishmen teaching Japanese labor discipline....god gracious what a joke. Also, I'm quite sick of the USA characters arrogance in all these movies. Only good thing about the movie is Alec Guinness and the Saito character.

Outstanding movie. Check it out.

somehow I feel like I just watch three movies. to me this was not so much about the protagonist ( William Holden) who is your typical American hero in such films but more about Alec Guinness who is a man of principle. both he and Sessue approach the Idea of principles, integrity, heroism, pride and the futility off all four ideas when they are pursued obsessively. The dude pulling the fan for col Saito will make you appreciate AC.
At the end..."madness"