Classic 1957 British war epic is ‘an absolute masterpiece in every aspect’ | Films | Entertainment

Everyone seems to have their favourite war movie. So when it comes to discussing which one is objectively the best, there are bound to be plenty of arguments. However, there is one war epic that constantly gets mentioned when it comes to the “best” title.

The movie was released in 1957 and became a huge success. Among many things, it won seven Academy Awards, and to this day it’s regarded as a masterpiece. So it can’t come as much of a surprise that those who have seen it are still recommending it to anyone looking for a classic war film.

That movie is The Bridge on the River Kwai. The film was directed by David Lean and is based on the novel The Bridge over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle.

The film stars William Holden, Alec Guinness and Jack Hawkins.

It is set during the Second World War, and the story follows a group of British prisoners of war who are forced to work on a railway bridge in Japanese-occupied territory.

The film currently holds an impressive 96% critics’ score and 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Many viewers have been full of praise for the movie. One person said in a review: “The best war movie I’ve ever watched. A true masterpiece!”

Another added: “Not much to say other than that The Bridge on the River Kwai is an absolute masterpiece in every aspect.”

A third wrote: “There will never be another movie that approaches this one in ambition and grand scope. The screenplay, acting, location, setting, it’s as if designed by providence. Just brilliant.”

Someone else commented: “Powerful, complex, moving. The unique narrative makes this one of the best war movies of all time. Colonel Nicholson is one of my favourite characters of all time.

“This is truly like watching a Shakespeare Play unfold. The plot is so complex, and for a 1950’s movie it is so ahead of its time.”

The Bridge on the River Kwai was the highest-grossing film of 1957 and remains one of the best-known British war films ever made.

In 1997, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry after being deemed culturally, historically and aesthetically significant.

The film also enjoyed huge success during awards season.

At the Academy Awards, it won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for David Lean, Best Actor for Alec Guinness, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score.

The Bridge on the River Kwai can be bought or rented on Prime Video.