The Bridge on the River Kwai poster

The Bridge on the River Kwai(1957)

2h 42mDrama, History, WarJapanese
7.8/10
2,380 user ratings

It spans a whole new world of entertainment!

Overview

The classic story of English POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. British and American intelligence officers conspire to blow up the structure, but Col. Nicholson, the commander who supervised the bridge's construction, has acquired a sense of pride in his creation and tries to foil their plans.

Director

David Lean

Studio

Horizon Pictures

Budget

$3M

Revenue

$45M

Share:

Cast

William Holden

William Holden

as Cmdr. Shears

Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness

as Col. Nicholson

Jack Hawkins

Jack Hawkins

as Maj. Warden

Sessue Hayakawa

Sessue Hayakawa

as Col. Saito

James Donald

James Donald

as Maj. Clipton

Geoffrey Horne

Geoffrey Horne

as Lt. Joyce

André Morell

André Morell

as Col. Green

Peter Williams

Peter Williams

as Capt. Reeves

John Boxer

as Major Hughes

Percy Herbert

Percy Herbert

as Grogan

Harold Goodwin

Harold Goodwin

as Baker

Ann Sears

Ann Sears

as Nurse

Where to Watch

Availability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Movie Facts

Release Year

1957

Runtime

2h 42m

Language

Japanese

Rating

7.8 / 10

Budget

$3M

Box Office

$45M

Production Companies

Horizon Pictures

You Might Also Like

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch The Bridge on the River Kwai?

Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957).

What is The Bridge on the River Kwai about?

The classic story of English POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. British and American intelligence officers conspire to blow up the structure, but Col. Nicholson, the commander who supervised the bridge's construction, has acquired a sense of pride in his creation and tries to foil their plans.

Who directed The Bridge on the River Kwai?

The Bridge on the River Kwai was directed by David Lean and released in 1957. It is a drama, history, war film.

How long is The Bridge on the River Kwai?

The Bridge on the River Kwai has a runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes (162 minutes total).

Who stars in The Bridge on the River Kwai?

The cast of The Bridge on the River Kwai includes William Holden as Cmdr. Shears, Alec Guinness as Col. Nicholson, Jack Hawkins as Maj. Warden, Sessue Hayakawa as Col. Saito, James Donald as Maj. Clipton and more.

Explore More by Genre

Need a recommendation?

Tell us your mood and we'll pick the perfect movie for you.