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History: This was at least my third time watching David Lean’s classic. Although it never hits me exactly the way I want it to, I certainly respect many aspects of it. The first time I remember taking notice of it was when AFI released their first 100 film list in 1998. I made a point to try and go through that entire list. I don’t think I finished it at that time, but Bridge was one of the movies I watched.
Directing: Lean is a director I love more and more the further I get into movies. I have said around here many times that the very technical side of film making is lost on me, so I don’t know if I could pick Lean’s movies out of a lineup (not already knowing them of course). To me, he is very classical in that sense. I just have grown to love the patience he has in how his stories unfold. I also feel he has a sneaky sense of humor that had really endeared his films to me. Bridge is deftly handled. I think another director may have wanted to ramp up the action or hurry through Saito and Nicholson’s arc. Maybe not, but it feels that way to me. Lean and Guiness are the stars here in my opinion.
Acting: If it wasn’t for Guiness playing one of my favorite characters in the history of film this would certainly be my favorite performance of his, and if I am being completely honest it probably still is. I think he is fantastic as Colonel Nicholson. From the first moment he marches into camp his cocksure nature is present and never lets up. I also feel he brings some levity to the film at key times. Hayakawa may only be asked to play one note as Saito, but I think he plays that note very well. I enjoy his scenes with Guiness more than anything else in the film. Holden as Shears is the weak link for me. I just don’t enjoy this character very much, and whenever we leave the camp and spend time with him the movie loses steam for me.
Cinematography: Everything in the camp, and at the river are top notch. I feel the isolation of the environment. I “enjoy” spending time at these locations. The jungle portion is pretty wonky for me. It never feels realistic. The actors never feel sweaty or in any serious danger. Once we get to the finished bridge, I am swept up in the environment once again. The finale looks really spectacular.
Favorite Scene: The first time Saito pulls Nicholson from the hot box and tries to get him over to his way of thinking is absolutely priceless. Watching Saito extend an olive branch to Nicholson, only to have him smack it away is endlessly entertaining. Guiness is so good here, still looking exhausted but maintaining his composure enough to see through Saito’s motivations. It’s a really fantastic scene, and well acted by both men.
Final Thoughts: A film I want to love, but still lands in the realm of deep respect. There are five star aspects here for sure. The Nicholson and Saito arc being at the top of the list. Nicholson’s ambition to get his men to build a perfect bridge despite their plight and environment is entertaining to watch. Seeing how he out maneuvers Saito, watching Saito struggle with knowing that his objective has technically been completed, but he has been out smarted and outclassed by his enemy. It’s really well written and acted by all involved. The look of that bridge over the river at completion is really stunning, and a pretty cool achievement in its own right. I just still get tripped up with everything going on with Shears. I don’t enjoy spending time with him. I also feel the finale goes on a little too long and seems implausible. Just a few too many negatives for me to love this classic Lean.
History: This was at least my third time watching David Lean’s classic. Although it never hits me exactly the way I want it to, I certainly respect many aspects of it. The first time I remember taking notice of it was when AFI released their first 100 film list in 1998. I made a point to try and go through that entire list. I don’t think I finished it at that time, but Bridge was one of the movies I watched.
Directing: Lean is a director I love more and more the further I get into movies. I have said around here many times that the very technical side of film making is lost on me, so I don’t know if I could pick Lean’s movies out of a lineup (not already knowing them of course). To me, he is very classical in that sense. I just have grown to love the patience he has in how his stories unfold. I also feel he has a sneaky sense of humor that had really endeared his films to me. Bridge is deftly handled. I think another director may have wanted to ramp up the action or hurry through Saito and Nicholson’s arc. Maybe not, but it feels that way to me. Lean and Guiness are the stars here in my opinion.
Acting: If it wasn’t for Guiness playing one of my favorite characters in the history of film this would certainly be my favorite performance of his, and if I am being completely honest it probably still is. I think he is fantastic as Colonel Nicholson. From the first moment he marches into camp his cocksure nature is present and never lets up. I also feel he brings some levity to the film at key times. Hayakawa may only be asked to play one note as Saito, but I think he plays that note very well. I enjoy his scenes with Guiness more than anything else in the film. Holden as Shears is the weak link for me. I just don’t enjoy this character very much, and whenever we leave the camp and spend time with him the movie loses steam for me.
Cinematography: Everything in the camp, and at the river are top notch. I feel the isolation of the environment. I “enjoy” spending time at these locations. The jungle portion is pretty wonky for me. It never feels realistic. The actors never feel sweaty or in any serious danger. Once we get to the finished bridge, I am swept up in the environment once again. The finale looks really spectacular.
Favorite Scene: The first time Saito pulls Nicholson from the hot box and tries to get him over to his way of thinking is absolutely priceless. Watching Saito extend an olive branch to Nicholson, only to have him smack it away is endlessly entertaining. Guiness is so good here, still looking exhausted but maintaining his composure enough to see through Saito’s motivations. It’s a really fantastic scene, and well acted by both men.
Final Thoughts: A film I want to love, but still lands in the realm of deep respect. There are five star aspects here for sure. The Nicholson and Saito arc being at the top of the list. Nicholson’s ambition to get his men to build a perfect bridge despite their plight and environment is entertaining to watch. Seeing how he out maneuvers Saito, watching Saito struggle with knowing that his objective has technically been completed, but he has been out smarted and outclassed by his enemy. It’s really well written and acted by all involved. The look of that bridge over the river at completion is really stunning, and a pretty cool achievement in its own right. I just still get tripped up with everything going on with Shears. I don’t enjoy spending time with him. I also feel the finale goes on a little too long and seems implausible. Just a few too many negatives for me to love this classic Lean.