Verdict:
An exploration of human pride, this film is special and plays out in an unexpected manner. Contrary to almost every other World War II movie, there is an uncanny realism and variety to everything, especially the people. The Burmese jungle, which is not actually Burmese, is on point. The psychological torture on display is harrowing.
This is not a movie about a bridge or the war or being in a prison camp, despite that being the setting. This movie is about the characters and what drives them, especially pride and obsession. And to show that properly, there is surprisingly realistic acting for the time, both from Alec Guinness as the imprisoned Colonel and from Sessue Hayakawa as the camp’s commander, Colonel Saito. Saito is not a villain, but a professional conflicted officer. In fact, he is surprisingly nice for a Japanese officer, given some of the stories we have from the Japanese prisoner of war camps.
In terms of cinematography, the excessive use of the fake-looking day-for-night technique (though it was more day-for-dusk) is a little disappointing. It must have been a bane of movies back then like CGI is today. Other than that, the cinematography is excellent. The hot jungle comes out at you through the screen.
This film holds up after all these years and is highly recommended.