1. Finish work!Copy !req
2. Go to hut.Copy !req
3. Yeah, that figures.Copy !req
4. If the new prisoners see us
digging graves, they may run.Copy !req
5. No time for jokes. Finish work!Copy !req
6. Dig, dig.Copy !req
7. How about putting us
on sick list?Copy !req
8. Have a heart, captain.
Put us in hospital.Copy !req
9. You no sick. You never sick.Copy !req
10. Why you always play sick
to me, Shears?Copy !req
11. Don't want one of these
over my head, I guess.Copy !req
12. Captain Kanematsu...Copy !req
13. how about a butt?Copy !req
14. I give you butt this morning.
Both of you.Copy !req
15. That's what l mean.
I want to return the favour.Copy !req
16. When a man gives a gift
from the goodness of his heart...Copy !req
17. like you gave me that butt,
I remember it from the heart.Copy !req
18. That's why...Copy !req
19. l want you to keep this lighter.Copy !req
20. Think l stole it?Copy !req
21. It belonged to that English kid
we just buried.Copy !req
22. He willed it to me
for a favour I'd done him.Copy !req
23. Before I pass on,
I want to do the same for you.Copy !req
24. You funny man, Shears.Copy !req
25. Okay, you go on sick list. Him too.Copy !req
26. One of these days Colonel Saito
will catch you bribing him...Copy !req
27. then where'll we be?Copy !req
28. Before that happens
we'll be far away from here, chum.Copy !req
29. Far away.Copy !req
30. Okay, let's knock off.Copy !req
31. Here lies...Copy !req
32. Weaver, l forgot who we just buried.Copy !req
33. Thomson.Copy !req
34. Yes.Copy !req
35. Here lies
Corporal Herbert Thomson...Copy !req
36. serial number 01234567.Copy !req
37. Valiant member of the King's Own
or the Queen's Own or something...Copy !req
38. who died of beriberi
in the year of our Lord, 1943...Copy !req
39. for the greater glory of...Copy !req
40. - What did he die for?
- Come off it.Copy !req
41. No need to mock the grave.Copy !req
42. I don't mock the grave or the man.Copy !req
43. May he rest in peace.Copy !req
44. He found little enough of it
while he was alive.Copy !req
45. "A" Company, mark time!Copy !req
46. Mark time!Copy !req
47. Halt.Copy !req
48. Into line, left turn.Copy !req
49. Stand easy.Copy !req
50. We're gonna be a busy pair
of gravediggers, Weaver.Copy !req
51. Well done, well done.Copy !req
52. That colonel doesn't know
what he's in for.Copy !req
53. - You gonna tell him the truth?
- Of course not.Copy !req
54. You're neither an officer
nor a gentleman.Copy !req
55. My name is Nicholson.Copy !req
56. I am Colonel Saito.Copy !req
57. In the name of
His Imperial Majesty...Copy !req
58. l welcome you.Copy !req
59. I am the commanding officer
of this camp...Copy !req
60. which is Camp 16...Copy !req
61. along the great railroad...Copy !req
62. which will soon connect
Bangkok with Rangoon.Copy !req
63. You British prisoners
have been chosen...Copy !req
64. to build a bridge
across the River Kwai.Copy !req
65. It will be pleasant work,
requiring skill.Copy !req
66. And officers will work
as well as men.Copy !req
67. The Japanese army cannot
have idle mouths to feed.Copy !req
68. If you work hard,
you will be treated well.Copy !req
69. But if you do not work hard...Copy !req
70. you will be punished.Copy !req
71. A word to you about escape.Copy !req
72. There is no barbed wire.Copy !req
73. No stockade.Copy !req
74. No watchtower.Copy !req
75. They are not necessary.Copy !req
76. We are an island in the jungle.Copy !req
77. Escape is impossible.Copy !req
78. You would die.Copy !req
79. Today you rest.
Tomorrow you'll begin.Copy !req
80. Let me remind you of
General Yamashita's motto:Copy !req
81. "Be happy in your work."Copy !req
82. Be happy in your work.Copy !req
83. Dismissed.Copy !req
84. Battalion, stand at ease.Copy !req
85. Fall out, Major Hughes.Copy !req
86. Battalion, stand easy.Copy !req
87. Get the men to their quarters.
See who's sick.Copy !req
88. I'm gonna have a word
with this fellow. Colonel!Copy !req
89. I heard your remarks just now, sir.Copy !req
90. My men will carry on in the way
one expects of a British soldier.Copy !req
91. My officers and I
will be responsible for their conduct.Copy !req
92. You may have overlooked the fact
that the use of officers for labour...Copy !req
93. is expressly forbidden
by the Geneva Convention.Copy !req
94. Is that so?Copy !req
95. I have a copy of the Convention...Copy !req
96. and would be glad to
let you glance through it.Copy !req
97. That will not be necessary.Copy !req
98. Sit down, please.Copy !req
99. Yes, sir.Copy !req
100. - l'm gonna have a word with Clipton.
- Very good, sir.Copy !req
101. Clipton, don't let me interrupt.Copy !req
102. - How's the arm?
- Nearly healed.Copy !req
103. Sir, this is Commander Shears
of the United States Navy.Copy !req
104. - Good.
- How do you do, sir?Copy !req
105. We found him and an Australian.Copy !req
106. All that's left of the prisoners
who built the camp.Copy !req
107. U.S. Navy? Out here?Copy !req
108. For a sailor, I am sort of landlocked.Copy !req
109. - You lost your ship?
- The Houston.Copy !req
110. I made it ashore, but l got separated
from the other survivors.Copy !req
111. And your group here?Copy !req
112. Mostly Aussies. Some lime—Copy !req
113. Some British.
Indians, Burmese, Siamese.Copy !req
114. And what happened to them?Copy !req
115. They died...Copy !req
116. of malaria, dysentery,
beriberi, gangrene.Copy !req
117. Other causes of death:Copy !req
118. Famine, overwork, bullet wounds,
snakebites...Copy !req
119. Saito.Copy !req
120. Then there were some
who just got tired of living.Copy !req
121. Has Clipton seen you?Copy !req
122. Just about to, sir. Come over here,
commander, you can shave later.Copy !req
123. All right.Copy !req
124. You'll stay with the officers.Copy !req
125. We'll scrape up
some decent clothing.Copy !req
126. Don't bother about me.Copy !req
127. I'm not anxious to
get off the sick list.Copy !req
128. Besides, this is working kit.
It's the fashion out here.Copy !req
129. The officers in your party
did manual labour?Copy !req
130. I think you could call it that.Copy !req
131. I raised that very point
with Colonel what's-his-name.Copy !req
132. Saito.Copy !req
133. - l think he understands now.
- ls that so?Copy !req
134. Yes. L must say he seems
quite a reasonable type.Copy !req
135. Well, l must be pushing on.Copy !req
136. There's an officer's meeting at 7.Copy !req
137. - Give me a list of your requirements.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
138. Anything we can do.Copy !req
139. Oh, thank you, sir.Copy !req
140. - What is it?
- Never mind.Copy !req
141. Go on, say it.Copy !req
142. I can think of a lot of things
to call Saito...Copy !req
143. but reasonable, that's a new one.Copy !req
144. Perhaps Colonel Nicholson
defines the word differently.Copy !req
145. Any other points?Copy !req
146. - By your leave, sir?
- Yes, Jennings?Copy !req
147. About the escape committee.
I've spoken with Commander Shears—Copy !req
148. There won't be any
escape committee.Copy !req
149. I don't understand, sir.
Lieutenant Jennings has a plan.Copy !req
150. Yes, yes, l'm sure Jennings
has a plan, but escape?Copy !req
151. Where? lnto this jungle?
That fellow, Saito, is right.Copy !req
152. No need for barbed wire here.
One chance in 100 of survival.Copy !req
153. I'm sure a man of Commander Shears'
experience will back me up on that.Copy !req
154. I'd say the odds against a
successful escape are 100 to one.Copy !req
155. - Right.
- But may l add another word?Copy !req
156. Please.Copy !req
157. The odds against survival in this camp
are even worse.Copy !req
158. You've seen the graveyard.
They're your real odds.Copy !req
159. To give up hope of escape...Copy !req
160. to stop thinking about it,
is like accepting a death sentence.Copy !req
161. Why haven't you tried to escape,
commander?Copy !req
162. I'm biding my time. Waiting for
the right moment, the right company.Copy !req
163. I understand how you feel.Copy !req
164. Of course, it's the duty of a
captured soldier to attempt escape.Copy !req
165. But my men and I are involved
in a curious legal point...Copy !req
166. of which you are unaware.Copy !req
167. In Singapore we were ordered to
surrender by command headquarters.Copy !req
168. Ordered, mind you.Copy !req
169. Therefore, in our case, escape might
well be an infraction of military law.Copy !req
170. - lnteresting?
- Yes, sir, interesting point.Copy !req
171. I'm sorry, sir,
I didn't quite follow you.Copy !req
172. You intend to uphold the letter
of the law, no matter what it costs?Copy !req
173. Without law, commander,
there is no civilisation.Copy !req
174. That's just my point.
Here, there is no civilisation.Copy !req
175. Then we have the opportunity
to introduce it.Copy !req
176. I suggest we drop
the subject of escape.Copy !req
177. Is there anything else?Copy !req
178. I think we're all clear
on the programme.Copy !req
179. I want everything to go off without
a hitch starting tomorrow morning.Copy !req
180. And remember this:Copy !req
181. Our men must always feel
they are still commanded by us...Copy !req
182. and not by the Japanese.Copy !req
183. So long as they have that idea,
they'll be soldiers and not slaves.Copy !req
184. Are you with me there, commander?Copy !req
185. Well, l...Copy !req
186. I hope they can
remain soldiers, colonel.Copy !req
187. As for me, I'm just a slave.Copy !req
188. A living slave.Copy !req
189. Queer bird. Even for an Ameri—Copy !req
190. He's been in isolation too long,
poor chap.Copy !req
191. Cut off from his unit.
It should be a lesson to all of us.Copy !req
192. English prisoners!Copy !req
193. Notice l do not say English soldiers.Copy !req
194. From the moment you surrendered,
you ceased to be soldiers.Copy !req
195. You will finish the bridge
by the 12th day of May.Copy !req
196. You will work under the direction
of a Japanese engineer.Copy !req
197. Time is short. All men will work.Copy !req
198. Your officers will work beside you.Copy !req
199. This is only just...Copy !req
200. for it is they
who betrayed you by surrender.Copy !req
201. Your shame is their dishonour.Copy !req
202. It is they who told you...Copy !req
203. better to live like a coolie
then die like a hero.Copy !req
204. It is they who brought you here,
not I.Copy !req
205. Therefore, they will join you
in useful labour.Copy !req
206. That is all.Copy !req
207. Officer prisoners, collect your tools.Copy !req
208. Bradley, back in your place.Copy !req
209. I must call your attention,
Colonel Saito...Copy !req
210. to Article 27
of the Geneva Convention.Copy !req
211. "Belligerents may employ
prisoners of war...Copy !req
212. who are fit,
other than officers—"Copy !req
213. Give me the book.Copy !req
214. By all means.
You read English, l take it?Copy !req
215. - Do you read Japanese?
- l'm sorry, no.Copy !req
216. If it's a matter of translation,
I'm sure it can be arranged.Copy !req
217. You see, the Code states that—Copy !req
218. Stand fast in the ranks.Copy !req
219. You speak to me of code?Copy !req
220. What code?Copy !req
221. The coward's code!Copy !req
222. What do you know
of the soldier's code?Copy !req
223. Of Bushido? Nothing!Copy !req
224. You are unworthy of command!Copy !req
225. Since you refuse to abide by the laws
of the civilised world...Copy !req
226. we must consider ourselves
absolved from our duty to obey you.Copy !req
227. My officers will not
do manual labour.Copy !req
228. We shall see.Copy !req
229. All enlisted prisoners to work.Copy !req
230. Sergeant Major!
Take the men to work.Copy !req
231. Battalion, take up tools.Copy !req
232. Move to the left in columnar route.
Left turn!Copy !req
233. "A" Company, by the right,
quick march.Copy !req
234. Eyes right.Copy !req
235. Eyes front.Copy !req
236. Eyes right.Copy !req
237. Quick march, eyes right.Copy !req
238. "C" Company, by the right.Copy !req
239. What's he up to?Copy !req
240. Looks like he doesn't
want any witnesses.Copy !req
241. Now, you will be reasonable.Copy !req
242. You will order your officers to work.Copy !req
243. No.Copy !req
244. I will count three.Copy !req
245. If by the third count...Copy !req
246. you and your officers
are not on the way to work...Copy !req
247. l will give the order to fire.Copy !req
248. He's going to do it.Copy !req
249. Believe me,
he's really going to do it.Copy !req
250. One.Copy !req
251. I warn you, Colonel Saito.Copy !req
252. Two.Copy !req
253. Stop!Copy !req
254. Colonel Saito,
I've seen and heard everything.Copy !req
255. So has every man in the hospital.Copy !req
256. There are too many witnesses.Copy !req
257. You can't call it a mass escape.
Most of those men can't walk.Copy !req
258. Is this your soldier's code?
Murdering unarmed men?Copy !req
259. You see, Jennings, there are certain
advantages to being on the sick list.Copy !req
260. I'll say this for the old man.
He's got guts.Copy !req
261. "Into the valley of death
rode the 600."Copy !req
262. How's that, sir?Copy !req
263. That kind of guts.Copy !req
264. Also the kind they had in 1914...Copy !req
265. when officers fought
with only a swagger stick.Copy !req
266. - l see what you mean.
- You don't see what l mean at all.Copy !req
267. The kind of guts
that can get us all killed.Copy !req
268. Excuse me, sir,
I'd like to go along too.Copy !req
269. Arm's almost healed, sir,
really it is.Copy !req
270. What about him?Copy !req
271. He didn't order us not to escape,
he suggested.Copy !req
272. Listen, when a man like your colonel
suggests something, it's an order.Copy !req
273. Here we go again.Copy !req
274. Colonel Saito says all officers
to punishment hut.Copy !req
275. Tell them to go.Copy !req
276. Not you.Copy !req
277. Come.Copy !req
278. Leave him alone!Copy !req
279. They're gonna put him in the oven.Copy !req
280. For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellowCopy !req
281. For he's a jolly good fellowCopy !req
282. And so say all of usCopy !req
283. And so say all of us
And so say all of usCopy !req
284. For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellowCopy !req
285. For he's a jolly good fellowCopy !req
286. And so say all of usCopy !req
287. Timber!Copy !req
288. One, two, three, four.Copy !req
289. No, no, no!Copy !req
290. Let go!Copy !req
291. You wish to see me?Copy !req
292. I've been trying to see you
for three days.Copy !req
293. It's about Colonel Nicholson.
He's been shut up in that hut—Copy !req
294. I could have you shot.Copy !req
295. Those prisoners who tried to escape,
they were in your charge.Copy !req
296. I knew nothing about the escape.Copy !req
297. It does not matter.Copy !req
298. One must even respect
those who tried.Copy !req
299. For a brief moment,
between escape and death...Copy !req
300. they were soldiers again.Copy !req
301. But it is insane to try and escape.Copy !req
302. Two soldiers shot,
the third drowned.Copy !req
303. To what end?Copy !req
304. It was an escape from reality.Copy !req
305. There is your reality.Copy !req
306. This shows the position work
should have reached by noon today.Copy !req
307. And this shows the position
of actual progress.Copy !req
308. Because of your
colonel's stubbornness...Copy !req
309. we are far behind schedule.Copy !req
310. That is not all.Copy !req
311. Enlisted prisoners
sabotaged the work.Copy !req
312. Yes, l have seen it.
I could have them all shot.Copy !req
313. Then who would build your bridge?Copy !req
314. Besides, are you sure it's sabotage?Copy !req
315. Perhaps the men don't work well
without their own officers.Copy !req
316. My officers will direct them.
Your officers will work beside them.Copy !req
317. That's for Colonel Nicholson to decide.
As he said, it's against the rules.Copy !req
318. Do not speak to me of rules.Copy !req
319. This is war!Copy !req
320. This is not a game of cricket.Copy !req
321. He's mad, your colonel...Copy !req
322. quite mad.Copy !req
323. Sit down, please.Copy !req
324. I have decided to allow you
one visit to your colonel.Copy !req
325. Thank you.Copy !req
326. Tell him that if his officers
will not work...Copy !req
327. l'll be forced
to close the hospital...Copy !req
328. and your patients will
work in their place.Copy !req
329. And many will die,
and he will be responsible.Copy !req
330. Go and speak to him.
You have five minutes.Copy !req
331. Hey, the doc's going
to see the old man.Copy !req
332. Sir...Copy !req
333. It's Clipton, sir.Copy !req
334. I brought you a few things.Copy !req
335. - How are the men?
- Fine, sir, fine.Copy !req
336. We scraped together a little meat
and a coconut.Copy !req
337. And the officers?Copy !req
338. Oh, they're not so good.
They're still in detention.Copy !req
339. And Lieutenant Jennings...
Jennings is dead.Copy !req
340. - What?
- Killed, attempting to escape.Copy !req
341. Also two others,
Corporal Weaver and the American.Copy !req
342. Jennings. Poor, brave lad.Copy !req
343. I warned him, didn't l, Clipton?Copy !req
344. Look, sir, we haven't much time.Copy !req
345. I'm going to clean you up a little
while l talk.Copy !req
346. I've got something to tell you.Copy !req
347. I've just had a word with Saito.Copy !req
348. That man is the worst commanding
officer l've ever come across.Copy !req
349. Actually, I think he's mad. Carry on.Copy !req
350. Blackmail.Copy !req
351. I know, sir, but he means it.
I'm sure he does.Copy !req
352. It's a question of face, pure and simple.
And he can't give in.Copy !req
353. It's still blackmail.Copy !req
354. Sir, you can't stand
much more of this.Copy !req
355. Wouldn't the officers be better off
working than suffocating in that hole?Copy !req
356. The men are doing a wonderful job.
They're going as slow as they dare.Copy !req
357. But Saito's cut their food rations...Copy !req
358. and if he makes
the sick men work...Copy !req
359. Well, they're going to die.
That's all there is to it.Copy !req
360. Yes, Clipton, l understand. Truly.Copy !req
361. But don't you see?
It's a matter of principle.Copy !req
362. If we give in now,
there'll be no end to it. No.Copy !req
363. Sir, we're lost in the jungle,
a thousand miles from anywhere.Copy !req
364. We're under the heel of a man
who'll stop at nothing to get his way.Copy !req
365. Principle!Copy !req
366. No one will ever know or care
what happens to us.Copy !req
367. Give in, sir. Please!Copy !req
368. I'm adamant.Copy !req
369. I will not have an officer
from my battalion working as a coolie.Copy !req
370. - Time.
- All right.Copy !req
371. Please thank those concerned.Copy !req
372. Everybody in the hospital
contributed one piece.Copy !req
373. Reynolds stole the coconut.Copy !req
374. We'll be able to get you
something from time to time.Copy !req
375. We've bribed one of your guards.Copy !req
376. Goodbye, sir. And good luck.Copy !req
377. Many thanks.Copy !req
378. - Clipton!
- Yes, sir?Copy !req
379. Did you say that American chap
was killed?Copy !req
380. Yes, sir. Shot and drowned.Copy !req
381. It's insane to plan escapes.Copy !req
382. Three men killed, and to what end?Copy !req
383. - Time!
- Here.Copy !req
384. - Here is where we must win through.
- Time, time!Copy !req
385. The doc just looked at us and shook
his head. Whatever that means.Copy !req
386. Means only one thing,
colonel won't give in.Copy !req
387. Well?Copy !req
388. It's like this.Copy !req
389. Colonel Nicholson
won't give in to force.Copy !req
390. It's a question of principle.Copy !req
391. As medical officer, I protest
to the way he's being treated.Copy !req
392. It's a wonder he's still alive.Copy !req
393. Should a tragedy occur,
it would be tantamount to murder.Copy !req
394. He is responsible.Copy !req
395. Not I.Copy !req
396. You sick?Copy !req
397. Are they both mad?Copy !req
398. Or am l going mad?Copy !req
399. Or is it the sun?Copy !req
400. Attention!Copy !req
401. Battalion, attention.Copy !req
402. English prisoners.Copy !req
403. Let us ask the question...Copy !req
404. why does the bridge not progress?Copy !req
405. You know why,
because your officers are lazy!Copy !req
406. They think themselves too good
to share your burden.Copy !req
407. This is not just.Copy !req
408. Therefore, you are not happy
in your work.Copy !req
409. Therefore, the bridge
does not progress.Copy !req
410. But there is another cause.Copy !req
411. I do not hide the truth.Copy !req
412. With deep shame and regret...Copy !req
413. l admit to you the failure...Copy !req
414. of a member of the Japanese staff.Copy !req
415. I refer to Lieutenant Miura.Copy !req
416. He is a bad engineer.Copy !req
417. He is unworthy of command.Copy !req
418. Therefore, I have removed him
from his post.Copy !req
419. Tomorrow we begin again.Copy !req
420. I shall be in personal command.Copy !req
421. Today we rest.Copy !req
422. All work and no play
make Jack a dull boy.Copy !req
423. As token of regard
for your efforts in the future...Copy !req
424. l give presents to you all.Copy !req
425. Let us be happy in our work.Copy !req
426. Company, dismissed.Copy !req
427. Battalion, dismissed.Copy !req
428. Hey, take a look at this.Copy !req
429. Red Cross! He's given us our—Copy !req
430. Hey, he's given us
our own Red Cross parcels.Copy !req
431. "Tomorrow we begin again."Copy !req
432. Hey, Harry, look.Copy !req
433. They're letting the old man out.Copy !req
434. Most likely gonna give him
another pasting.Copy !req
435. Good evening, colonel.Copy !req
436. Do you mind sitting over here?Copy !req
437. I am having rather a late supper.Copy !req
438. English corned beef.Copy !req
439. No, thank you.Copy !req
440. Produce of Scotland.Copy !req
441. I prefer it to sake.Copy !req
442. I spent three years in London,
you know.Copy !req
443. I studied at the London Polytechnic.Copy !req
444. Cheers.Copy !req
445. Sorry.Copy !req
446. Later, perhaps?Copy !req
447. Perhaps.Copy !req
448. I was not a good artist.Copy !req
449. My father disapproved.Copy !req
450. He felt l belonged in the army.Copy !req
451. So l changed from art
to engineering.Copy !req
452. I must tell you, Colonel Saito.Copy !req
453. I intend to make a full report
of your activities in this camp.Copy !req
454. I do not think you quite
realise my position.Copy !req
455. - l must carry out my orders.
- Oh, quite, quite.Copy !req
456. My orders are to complete the bridge
by the 12th day of May.Copy !req
457. - l have only 12 weeks more.
- No doubt.Copy !req
458. Therefore, I am compelled
to use all available personnel.Copy !req
459. But no officers, except in
an administrative capacity.Copy !req
460. But officers are working
along the entire railway.Copy !req
461. You know it. L know it.Copy !req
462. I'm not responsible
for the actions of other officers.Copy !req
463. Personally, I'm appalled.Copy !req
464. Let's not get excited.Copy !req
465. Will you have a cigar?Copy !req
466. No. Thank you.Copy !req
467. When I said all officers must work...Copy !req
468. naturally, l never meant you,
the commanding officer.Copy !req
469. My orders were only intended
for officers below—Copy !req
470. None of my officers
will do manual labour.Copy !req
471. Please! I was about to say:Copy !req
472. I've been thinking the matter over
and have decided...Copy !req
473. to put majors and above
on administrative duties...Copy !req
474. leaving only junior officers
to lend a hand.Copy !req
475. I'm afraid not. The Convention's
quite clear on that point.Copy !req
476. Do you know what will happen to me
if the bridge is not ready in time?Copy !req
477. I haven't the foggiest.Copy !req
478. I'd have to kill myself.Copy !req
479. What would you do if you were me?Copy !req
480. I suppose if l were you...Copy !req
481. l'd have to kill myself.Copy !req
482. Cheers.Copy !req
483. I warn you, colonel...Copy !req
484. if I am to die,
others will die before me.Copy !req
485. Do you understand that?Copy !req
486. - Major Clipton did mention that.
- Well?Copy !req
487. That won't solve your problem.Copy !req
488. But l'm sure we can arrive
at a proper solution.Copy !req
489. Please sit down.Copy !req
490. Now, tell me, colonel...Copy !req
491. do you agree that the first job
of an officer is command?Copy !req
492. - Of course.
- Good.Copy !req
493. Now...Copy !req
494. Take this bridge of yours.Copy !req
495. It's quite an enormous undertaking.Copy !req
496. Frankly, I have grave doubts whether
your lieutenant— What's his name?Copy !req
497. - Miura.
- Miura.Copy !req
498. —is capable of tackling
a job of such importance.Copy !req
499. On the other hand, l have officers,
Reeves and Hughes for instance...Copy !req
500. who have built bridges
all over India.Copy !req
501. The men respect them.Copy !req
502. It's essential for an officer to have
that respect, I'm sure you agree.Copy !req
503. If he loses it,
he ceases to command.Copy !req
504. And what happens then?
Demoralization and chaos.Copy !req
505. A pretty poor commander I would be
if l allowed that to happen.Copy !req
506. Perhaps you are not aware...Copy !req
507. that the bridge is now
under my personal command.Copy !req
508. Really? And may l ask,
are you satisfied with the work?Copy !req
509. - l am not!
- You've proved my point.Copy !req
510. I hate the British!Copy !req
511. You are defeated
but you have no shame.Copy !req
512. You are stubborn
but have no pride.Copy !req
513. You endure
but you have no courage.Copy !req
514. I hate the British!Copy !req
515. Pointless, going on like this.Copy !req
516. Stay there!Copy !req
517. Stand down. Stand down!Copy !req
518. Battalion, attention!Copy !req
519. Battalion, stand at ease.Copy !req
520. Please...Copy !req
521. Do you know what is
the date today, colonel?Copy !req
522. I'm afraid I've lost count.Copy !req
523. It's the anniversary of
our great victory...Copy !req
524. - ... over Russia in 1905.
- Oh, yes.Copy !req
525. Throughout East Asia
we are celebrating this date.Copy !req
526. In honour of this occasion...Copy !req
527. l have given your troops
a day of rest.Copy !req
528. Many thanks.Copy !req
529. I am declaring a general amnesty.Copy !req
530. You and your officers may
return to your quarters.Copy !req
531. As part of this amnesty...Copy !req
532. it will not be necessary
for officers to do manual labour.Copy !req
533. He's done it!Copy !req
534. Somebody deserves a medal, sir.Copy !req
535. How many men in your party?Copy !req
536. Well, l don't really know, sir.Copy !req
537. - You don't know?
- Sir, 12, usually.Copy !req
538. But, well, one of the men took sick
very suddenly this morning, sir.Copy !req
539. It took three or four
to help him to the hospital.Copy !req
540. And— He took terrible sick, sir.Copy !req
541. A corporal should always know
how many men he has under him.Copy !req
542. Oh, yes, sir.Copy !req
543. Have you a nervous affliction?
If not, stop making those faces at once.Copy !req
544. It may be funny to you,
but it's not military behaviour.Copy !req
545. No, sir.Copy !req
546. We must put a stop
to these demonstrations.Copy !req
547. Yes, sir.Copy !req
548. - l say, Reeves?
- Yes, sir?Copy !req
549. You ever constructed a bridge
across a stream like the Kwai?Copy !req
550. Yes, sir, half a dozen of them,
in Madras, Bengal...Copy !req
551. If this were your bridge...Copy !req
552. how would you get it under way?Copy !req
553. Get it under way, sir?Copy !req
554. Well, first of all,
I wouldn't build it here.Copy !req
555. Oh, why not?Copy !req
556. As l was trying to tell you...Copy !req
557. the Japanese couldn't have picked
a worse location. There's no bottom.Copy !req
558. You see those piles?Copy !req
559. They're sinking.Copy !req
560. Our chaps could drive those logs
till doomsday and they wouldn't hold.Copy !req
561. Where would you build it?Copy !req
562. Why, further downstream, sir.
Across those narrows.Copy !req
563. Then we'd have solid bedrock
on both banks.Copy !req
564. Hughes, if this were your bridge,
how would you use the men?Copy !req
565. Well, sir, not the way they're doing it.
It's utter chaos, as you can see.Copy !req
566. It's a lot of uncoordinated activity.Copy !req
567. No teamwork.Copy !req
568. Some of those parties are actually
working against each other.Copy !req
569. Yes.Copy !req
570. I tell you, gentlemen, we have
a problem on our hands.Copy !req
571. Thanks to the Japanese,
we now command a rabble.Copy !req
572. There's no order, no discipline.Copy !req
573. - Our task is to rebuild the battalion.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
574. Which isn't going to be easy.Copy !req
575. But fortunately, we have
the means at hand. The bridge.Copy !req
576. - The bridge, sir?
- The bridge.Copy !req
577. We'll teach them a lesson in Western
efficiency that will put them to shame.Copy !req
578. We'll show them what
the British soldier is capable of.Copy !req
579. Yes. L see your point, sir.Copy !req
580. I realise how difficult
it's going to be here...Copy !req
581. where you can't find
what you need.Copy !req
582. - But there's the challenge.
- l beg your pardon, sir.Copy !req
583. You mean, you really want them
to build the bridge?Copy !req
584. You're not usually
so slow on the uptake, Evans.Copy !req
585. I know our men.
You've got to keep them occupied.Copy !req
586. Fact is, if there weren't any work,
we'd invent some, eh, Reeves?Copy !req
587. - That we would, sir.
- So we're lucky.Copy !req
588. But it's going to be a proper bridge.Copy !req
589. Here again l know the men.Copy !req
590. It's essential that they
take pride in their job.Copy !req
591. - Right, gentlemen?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
592. Reeves, you're the key man
in this situation, as engineer.Copy !req
593. Tell me what you want and we'll
organise it. Can we make a go of it?Copy !req
594. - We'll do our best, sir.
- Fine.Copy !req
595. We must draw up our plans...Copy !req
596. then arrange a conference
with Saito...Copy !req
597. and set him straight.Copy !req
598. Well, l think that takes care of all
the procedural matters. Now...Copy !req
599. Oh, yes.Copy !req
600. The next point is somewhat unpleasant
for all concerned, I'm afraid.Copy !req
601. Sorry to tell you, we feel the position
of the bridge was fixed hastily...Copy !req
602. and, l have to add, incorrectly.Copy !req
603. Incorrectly?Copy !req
604. Unfortunately, yes.Copy !req
605. Our engineer has made
a study of the site...Copy !req
606. and has concluded that
the river bottom there is too soft.Copy !req
607. Too soft?Copy !req
608. Mud. All the work up to now
has been useless.Copy !req
609. - Reeves, will you carry on?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
610. Colonel, l've made tests.Copy !req
611. Those piles of yours could be hammered
below water level before they'd hold.Copy !req
612. That bridge would collapse
under the first train.Copy !req
613. The pressure and soil resistance
figures in tons per square inch.Copy !req
614. Just a moment, Reeves,
before you get too involved.Copy !req
615. Colonel, do you suppose
we could have a cup of tea?Copy !req
616. Then l take it we all agree
that if we're to avoid disaster...Copy !req
617. we build a new bridge,
at the site picked by Reeves...Copy !req
618. 400 yards downstream.Copy !req
619. So let's proceed to the next point.Copy !req
620. I've decided to alter
the daily work quota of our men.Copy !req
621. - Alter?
- Yes, I've increased it.Copy !req
622. From a yard and a half
of earth moved to two.Copy !req
623. I was sure it would meet
with your approval.Copy !req
624. Major Hughes has all the facts.
Hughes, would you take over?Copy !req
625. I've done a time study, Colonel Saito,
of the entire project.Copy !req
626. As you can see, the available forces
have been badly distributed.Copy !req
627. I would strongly urge we revise the
organisation of the working parties.Copy !req
628. Just a moment. Colonel, it would save
time if we could work during dinner.Copy !req
629. Would it be possible
to have a meal served here?Copy !req
630. Of course.Copy !req
631. If we—Copy !req
632. - Carry on, Hughes.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
633. If we increase the number of squads
and specialise their functions...Copy !req
634. l'm certain the total daily output
can be increased by 30 percent.Copy !req
635. Now, Colonel Saito,
I have one more point...Copy !req
636. Now, there's another important
decision that can't be postponed.Copy !req
637. As most of the British
will work on the bridge...Copy !req
638. only a small number will be available
for railway work.Copy !req
639. I must ask you to lend us some of your
men to reinforce the railway gang...Copy !req
640. so the final stretch of track can
be completed as quickly as possible.Copy !req
641. I have already given the order.Copy !req
642. We must fix the daily work quota
for your men.Copy !req
643. I thought of setting it at a yard
and a half so as not to overtire them...Copy !req
644. but isn't it best
to be the same as ours?Copy !req
645. That would also create a healthy
competitive spirit.Copy !req
646. I have already given the order.Copy !req
647. - We'll try to surpass that, won't we?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
648. I think that completes
the agenda for this evening.Copy !req
649. Thank you, Colonel Saito,
for your kind attention.Copy !req
650. And are there any other questions?Copy !req
651. One question.Copy !req
652. Can you finish the bridge in time?Copy !req
653. Frankly, the consensus of opinion
is that it's impossible.Copy !req
654. But we'll certainly give it a go.Copy !req
655. We mustn't forget we wasted a month
through an unfortunate disagreement...Copy !req
656. for which l was not to blame.Copy !req
657. Is there anything else?Copy !req
658. No.Copy !req
659. Thank you. The meeting is closed.Copy !req
660. - Good night.
- Good night.Copy !req
661. I hope these Japanese appreciate
what we're doing for them.Copy !req
662. For the moment, I'm not concerned
with their appreciation.Copy !req
663. - Good night, Clipton.
- Good night, sir.Copy !req
664. By the way, l meant to tell you...Copy !req
665. there are trees in this forest
very similar to elm.Copy !req
666. And the elm piles of London Bridge
lasted 600 years.Copy !req
667. - Six hundred years, Reeves?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
668. Six hundred years.Copy !req
669. That would be quite something.Copy !req
670. Good morning. L'm looking for an
American named Commander Shears.Copy !req
671. - Oh, yes, down on the beach.
- Oh, thank you very much.Copy !req
672. Kiss!Copy !req
673. Too many eyes.Copy !req
674. You give me powders, pills, baths,
injections, enemas...Copy !req
675. when all l need is love.Copy !req
676. It's true.
All you really need is love.Copy !req
677. What makes you so sure
you'll get a medical discharge?Copy !req
678. Because I'm a civilian
at heart, lover.Copy !req
679. And l always follow my heart.Copy !req
680. Kiss.Copy !req
681. How's that, commander?Copy !req
682. Don't call me commander.Copy !req
683. It's unromantic.Copy !req
684. You're an officer yourself.Copy !req
685. How would you like it
if l called you Lieutenant Lover?Copy !req
686. Let's be democratic.
Just call me "sir."Copy !req
687. Yes, sir.Copy !req
688. Brass ahoy.Copy !req
689. He wants to see you. He's all yours.Copy !req
690. - l'm going for a swim.
- Don't leave me.Copy !req
691. - Commander Shears?
- Yes.Copy !req
692. My name's Warden.Copy !req
693. - How do you do?
- Sorry to intrude—Copy !req
694. That's okay, major.
I'm used to it by now.Copy !req
695. Like a martini?Copy !req
696. That's very kind, but l think not.Copy !req
697. - Mind if l have one?
- No.Copy !req
698. How did you get that?Copy !req
699. Where there's a hospital,
there's alcohol.Copy !req
700. Oh, yes, of course. Jolly good.Copy !req
701. Well, l'll be as brief as possible.Copy !req
702. I belong to a rather rum group
called Force 316.Copy !req
703. Our headquarters is up
in the Botanical Gardens.Copy !req
704. - Protecting rare plants from the enemy?
- Not quite.Copy !req
705. - Sure you won't have a martini?
- No, thanks.Copy !req
706. We have a particular interest
in that railway you worked on.Copy !req
707. You could give us no end
of valuable information.Copy !req
708. Well, l'm leaving
for the States in a few days...Copy !req
709. and l've already told your people
everything I know.Copy !req
710. But you could help us
in a rather special sense.Copy !req
711. I know it's a terrible imposition...Copy !req
712. but l wonder if you could possibly
come out and see us.Copy !req
713. Well, if you want to go over
the whole thing again.Copy !req
714. Oh, that's very kind.
Lord Louis will be grateful.Copy !req
715. - Lord who?
- Mountbatten.Copy !req
716. - We're one of his special pigeons.
- Oh, I see.Copy !req
717. Shall we say this evening, then?
About 8. l'll send a car for you.Copy !req
718. This evening? Out of the question.Copy !req
719. Well, tomorrow morning then?
About 10?Copy !req
720. - Okay, 10:00.
- Thanks very much.Copy !req
721. - Cheerio.
- Cheerio.Copy !req
722. Good luck.Copy !req
723. Thanks.Copy !req
724. I know, you're terribly sorry, but you're
going to stand me up tonight.Copy !req
725. You couldn't be more wrong.Copy !req
726. General salute!Copy !req
727. Present arms!Copy !req
728. - May I see your pass, sir, please?
- Oh, yes.Copy !req
729. Thank you, sir.Copy !req
730. Carry on, driver.Copy !req
731. Major Warden's bungalow
is at the end of the path.Copy !req
732. All right, thanks.Copy !req
733. Good show, Jenkins. Good show!Copy !req
734. Come along, Thomson.
Use your knife, man. Use your knife.Copy !req
735. Good! On your feet, chaps.
Away to the debriefing room quickly.Copy !req
736. Come on, move yourselves!
Move! Move quickly!Copy !req
737. Very clumsy, Joyce, very clumsy.Copy !req
738. Always use your knife
immediately, Joyce.Copy !req
739. You see, he's gained the initiative.Copy !req
740. Wait a minute!
I'm terribly sorry, sir.Copy !req
741. - You're sorry?
- So am l, sir.Copy !req
742. - l thought you were the enemy.
- l'm American, if that's what you mean.Copy !req
743. - That'll be all, Joyce.
- Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.Copy !req
744. - What can l do for you, sir?
- l was on my way to see Major Warden.Copy !req
745. I'll show you the way. He'll finish
his lecture any moment now.Copy !req
746. - That's the end of his lecture.
- Thunderous ovation.Copy !req
747. He believes in keeping our training
as close to real life as possible.Copy !req
748. - Major Warden, sir?
- Yes?Copy !req
749. Very good of you to come.Copy !req
750. - l hope they took care of you.
- They certainly have.Copy !req
751. Thank you, staff.
Well, come along, then.Copy !req
752. Colonel Green is looking forward
to meeting you.Copy !req
753. - Fascinating place, isn't it?
- Utterly charming.Copy !req
754. Didn't realise it was
a commando school.Copy !req
755. We're trying to discourage the use of
that word. Such a melodramatic air.Copy !req
756. What do you do here?Copy !req
757. Sabotage, demolition,
that line of country.Copy !req
758. We're using P.E., plastic explosives.
It's wonderful stuff.Copy !req
759. That pop was made
with a lump half this size.Copy !req
760. It's twice as powerful as gelignite
and only half the weight. Here.Copy !req
761. It's quite harmless
until it's detonated.Copy !req
762. Thanks for telling me.Copy !req
763. It's completely waterproof
and actually plastic.Copy !req
764. See? You can do
what you like with it.Copy !req
765. This is my place.Copy !req
766. Go ahead.Copy !req
767. Oh, l'm dying for a cup of tea.Copy !req
768. - Would you care for one?
- No, thanks.Copy !req
769. - A drink?
- No, thank you.Copy !req
770. - Pot of tea for one, please, Peter.
- Very good, sir.Copy !req
771. Do you read this?Copy !req
772. Oh, l taught Oriental languages
at Cambridge before the war.Copy !req
773. I never congratulated you
on your escape. Lt was a good show.Copy !req
774. I was lucky. If your sea-rescue plane
hadn't spotted me, l wouldn't be here.Copy !req
775. No, I suppose not.Copy !req
776. Would you like to see
where you were?Copy !req
777. All right.Copy !req
778. Our information's rather scanty.
It's mostly based on your report.Copy !req
779. But we think the camp is about here.Copy !req
780. Say, do your people have any idea
what happened to Colonel Nicholson?Copy !req
781. He had guts. They were about to
shoot him and he didn't bat an eye.Copy !req
782. If you're about to be shot
there's not much you can do.Copy !req
783. Here is the River Kwai, and here is
the village where you were helped.Copy !req
784. And here is the railway.Copy !req
785. But then you must be fairly familiar
with all this area.Copy !req
786. Not really, l was out of my head
half the time.Copy !req
787. The railway starts down here
in Singapore. Malaya...Copy !req
788. Bangkok, Rangoon. Their idea
is to drive on through, into India.Copy !req
789. - Where was I picked up?
- Oh, about here.Copy !req
790. The Japanese aim to open the Bangkok-
Rangoon section by the middle of May.Copy !req
791. Naturally, we'll try to prevent them.Copy !req
792. It's too far for bombers
to carry an adequate load.Copy !req
793. We'll have to go smash it
on the ground.Copy !req
794. - How will you get there?
- Parachute drop, then march.Copy !req
795. With demolition equipment
through that jungle?Copy !req
796. Our chief problem
is lack of firsthand knowledge.Copy !req
797. You see, none of us have
ever been there.Copy !req
798. - l don't want to discourage—
- lt should be interesting.Copy !req
799. Colonel Green's given me
the Kwai bridge.Copy !req
800. I'm gonna take a team in
and blow it up.Copy !req
801. Lucky you.Copy !req
802. Sure you won't have tea?Copy !req
803. No, thanks. L don't want to be rude,
but I've got a luncheon date at 2.Copy !req
804. - So if there are any questions...
- Of course, I'm sorry.Copy !req
805. Well, there is only
one question, actually.Copy !req
806. How would you feel
about going back?Copy !req
807. Come again?Copy !req
808. I know, under the circumstances,
it's a bit much...Copy !req
809. but you have a unique
knowledge for our purpose.Copy !req
810. And we'd love to have you with us.Copy !req
811. That's why you brought me here?Copy !req
812. To ask me this?Copy !req
813. Well, frankly, yes.Copy !req
814. Major, I just got out of there.
My escape was a miracle.Copy !req
815. Now you want me to go back?
Don't be ridiculous!Copy !req
816. This is embarrassing—Copy !req
817. I can't go back! l don't belong to you.
I belong to the American Navy.Copy !req
818. Actually, Colonel Green has taken
the matter up with your people.Copy !req
819. - With my people?
- Your Navy's turned you over to us.Copy !req
820. A signal arrived yesterday morning
from your ClNC Pacific...Copy !req
821. authorising your temporary transfer
of duty to Force 316.Copy !req
822. - They can't do this to me.
- l'm afraid they have.Copy !req
823. It was difficult to know how
to break it to you.Copy !req
824. But they can't do this to me.
I mean it. My Navy's made a mistake.Copy !req
825. Look. L'm not a Navy commander.
I'm not even an officer.Copy !req
826. The whole thing's a fake. L'm just
an ordinary swab jockey, second class.Copy !req
827. When the Houston sunk, l made
it ashore with a real commander.Copy !req
828. Later on, we ran into
a Japanese patrol. He was killed.Copy !req
829. I figured it was just a matter of time
before l was captured—Copy !req
830. So you changed uniforms
with a dead man.Copy !req
831. I thought officers would get
better treatment.Copy !req
832. That's very sensible.Copy !req
833. But at Saito's camp, the officers
worked along with the rest.Copy !req
834. Yes, there's always the unexpected,
isn't there?Copy !req
835. I kind of got used
to being a commander...Copy !req
836. so when l arrived here
at the hospital...Copy !req
837. l took a look at the enlisted men's
ward and then the officer's ward...Copy !req
838. and l said to myself,
"Let's let it ride along for a while."Copy !req
839. There were certain advantages.Copy !req
840. I saw one of them on the beach.Copy !req
841. Anyway, that's the whole story.Copy !req
842. The point is, you can't use me.
You want an officer...Copy !req
843. an American commander
named Shears who doesn't exist.Copy !req
844. When the Navy learns the truth,
they'll say:Copy !req
845. "Ship him home in irons
for impersonating an officer."Copy !req
846. - Once that happens, I've got it made.
- Got it what?Copy !req
847. - Made. I'd like that drink now.
- Of course.Copy !req
848. I'll apply for a medical discharge.Copy !req
849. I'll tell them
I impersonated an officer...Copy !req
850. because I went off my rocker
in the jungle.Copy !req
851. I'm getting worse, you know.
Sometimes I think l'm Admiral Halsey.Copy !req
852. It's quite a clever plan.Copy !req
853. It's not only clever, it's foolproof.Copy !req
854. If my Navy finds out who l am...Copy !req
855. those temporary orders won't be
worth the paper they're written on.Copy !req
856. This is your photograph, isn't it?Copy !req
857. - Where did you get this?
- lt took a bit of doing...Copy !req
858. because your people
couldn't identify you.Copy !req
859. Finally your ClNC Pacific
sent us a copy of your service record.Copy !req
860. The photograph, fingerprints.
Would you care to have a look?Copy !req
861. No.Copy !req
862. You see, we've known about
your actual rank for nearly a week.Copy !req
863. Your Navy's in an awkward position.Copy !req
864. In one sense you're a blasted hero...Copy !req
865. for making an escape
from the jungle.Copy !req
866. But at the same time,
they can't bring you home...Copy !req
867. and give you the Navy Cross
for impersonating an officer.Copy !req
868. I suppose that's why they were
so happy to hand you over to us.Copy !req
869. You see?Copy !req
870. Hot potato.Copy !req
871. As far as your present rank
is concerned...Copy !req
872. we're fairly informal
about those things in Force 316.Copy !req
873. You'd have the simulated
rank of major.Copy !req
874. Simulated major. That figures.Copy !req
875. Well...Copy !req
876. As long as l'm hooked,
I might as well volunteer.Copy !req
877. Good show!Copy !req
878. Oh, Colonel Green, sir.Copy !req
879. This is Major Shears. He volunteered
to go and help me blow up the bridge.Copy !req
880. Really?Copy !req
881. Good show!Copy !req
882. Jolly good show, major!Copy !req
883. Get up to sick bay, Baker.
This foot's infected.Copy !req
884. The colonel might think
I'm malingering.Copy !req
885. I'm the medical officer, Baker.
Get cracking.Copy !req
886. Will someone tell me why the old man
wants us to build a proper bridge?Copy !req
887. Don't you worry about old Nick.
He knows what he's doing.Copy !req
888. Hello, Clipton.
About time you paid us a visit.Copy !req
889. Fine job our chaps are doing.
First-rate.Copy !req
890. Yes. How's he behaving?Copy !req
891. He's been most reasonable
since we took over.Copy !req
892. - l wonder what he's thinking.
- l haven't the foggiest.Copy !req
893. - Thanks, Reeves.
- Right, sir.Copy !req
894. What do you think?Copy !req
895. Quite a challenge, isn't it?Copy !req
896. Sir, are you convinced that
building this bridge is a good idea?Copy !req
897. - Are you serious?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
898. A good idea? Take another look.Copy !req
899. You don't agree morale is high?
Discipline has been restored?Copy !req
900. Their condition has been improved?Copy !req
901. - Are they a happier lot or aren't they?
- Yes, sir, but—Copy !req
902. They feed better
and they are no longer abused.Copy !req
903. - That's all true.
- Well, then.Copy !req
904. Honestly, Clipton, there are times
when l don't understand you at all.Copy !req
905. I'll try to make myself clear, sir.Copy !req
906. The fact is, what we're doing
could be construed as...Copy !req
907. forgive me, sir,
collaboration with the enemy.Copy !req
908. Perhaps even as
treasonable activity.Copy !req
909. We're prisoners of war.
We haven't the right to refuse to work.Copy !req
910. I understand that, sir.
But must we work so well?Copy !req
911. Must we build them a better bridge
than they could have themselves?Copy !req
912. If you had to operate on Saito,
would you do your best or let him die?Copy !req
913. Would you prefer
we disintegrate in idleness?Copy !req
914. Would you have it said that
our chaps can't do a proper job?Copy !req
915. It's important to show these people
they can't break us in body or in spirit.Copy !req
916. Take a good look, Clipton.Copy !req
917. One day the war will be over.Copy !req
918. I hope that the people who use
this bridge in years to come...Copy !req
919. will remember how it was built,
and who built it.Copy !req
920. Not a gang of slaves, but soldiers.
British soldiers, even in captivity.Copy !req
921. - Yes, sir.
- You're a fine doctor...Copy !req
922. but you've a lot to learn
about the army.Copy !req
923. Hold him! Hold him!Copy !req
924. Use your boot!
Get your boot in there, will you?Copy !req
925. Good morning.Copy !req
926. What on earth
are you people staring at?Copy !req
927. Get on with your jobs!Copy !req
928. Now get him with your boot!Copy !req
929. I'm awfully sorry l'm late, sir.Copy !req
930. Four minutes late, to be exact.
You were in need of medical attention?Copy !req
931. - Sir?
- l was referring to the nurse.Copy !req
932. Oh, yes, very ingenious.
Warden was right.Copy !req
933. Sit down.Copy !req
934. I asked you here to help us pick
the fourth member of your team.Copy !req
935. - Ask Mr. Joyce to come in.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
936. Chapman here wants Joyce,
but I have my doubts about him.Copy !req
937. I think he has too much imagination
as distinct from cold calculation.Copy !req
938. As l've told you before...Copy !req
939. in this job, even when it's finished
there's always one more thing to do.Copy !req
940. He's the best swimmer
in the school, sir.Copy !req
941. I'm well aware of your evaluation.
The opinion I want is Shears'.Copy !req
942. All right, at ease.Copy !req
943. These gentlemen are thinking of
taking you for a hike into the jungle.Copy !req
944. Yes, sir.Copy !req
945. You were an accountant in Montreal?Copy !req
946. Yes, sir.
Not really an accountant, sir.Copy !req
947. That is, l didn't have my charter.Copy !req
948. Exactly what did you do?Copy !req
949. Well, sir, I just checked columns
and columns of figures...Copy !req
950. which people had checked
before me...Copy !req
951. and then other people checked them
after I had checked them.Copy !req
952. - Sounds a frightful bore.
- Sir, it was a frightful bore.Copy !req
953. How did you happen
to wind up here?Copy !req
954. In '39 l came over to London
to enlist.Copy !req
955. About two years later
I volunteered for this work.Copy !req
956. - You volunteered!
- Yes, sir. See, the regular army—Copy !req
957. Go ahead, you can be frank.Copy !req
958. Well, the regular army reminded me
of my job in civilian life.Copy !req
959. They don't expect you to think.Copy !req
960. Think about this.Copy !req
961. Are you quite sure you'd be able
to use it in cold blood?Copy !req
962. I know how to use it, sir.Copy !req
963. That's not what l meant.
Could you use it in cold blood?Copy !req
964. Could you kill without hesitation?Copy !req
965. That's a question l've often asked
myself, sir. It's worried me quite a bit.Copy !req
966. And what was the answer?Copy !req
967. I don't honestly know, sir.Copy !req
968. I've tried to imagine myself...Copy !req
969. I suppose I find it hard to kid myself
that killing isn't a crime.Copy !req
970. It's an old army problem.Copy !req
971. Well, l think that's all.
Thank you, Joyce.Copy !req
972. Am l to go with the team, sir?Copy !req
973. We'll let you know.Copy !req
974. You see what I mean.Copy !req
975. Well, at least he was honest.Copy !req
976. None of us ever know the answer to
that question until the moment arises.Copy !req
977. What's your opinion, Shears?Copy !req
978. Well, sir, he's Canadian.Copy !req
979. And that's in keeping with the
international composition of this outfit.Copy !req
980. If he wants to go,
he can even take my place.Copy !req
981. Well, if you're all agreed on Joyce,
he's yours.Copy !req
982. I had a report from air reconnaissance
on that village.Copy !req
983. There's sufficient clearing
to make your jump at last light.Copy !req
984. - You've had parachute training?
- No, sir.Copy !req
985. Blast. This is awkward.Copy !req
986. Silly, it never occurred to me.Copy !req
987. Well, maybe—Copy !req
988. He's right.
Arrange some practice jumps for him.Copy !req
989. I'll pop over
and check right away.Copy !req
990. - All right, Chapman, you can run along.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
991. Well, feel like a sniff of air?Copy !req
992. Yes, sir.Copy !req
993. You don't realise what a plum
you are for us.Copy !req
994. Your knowledge of the area,
making friends in that village.Copy !req
995. It's almost as if your whole escape
had been planned with us in mind.Copy !req
996. By the way, here's something
that'll interest you. The new L pill.Copy !req
997. - L pill?
- L for lethal. Lnstantaneous, painless.Copy !req
998. Much better than the old ones.
For capture, of course.Copy !req
999. You're telling me
not to be taken alive.Copy !req
1000. I wouldn't recommend it.Copy !req
1001. If any of you get hurt or wounded the
others will have to leave him behind.Copy !req
1002. The objective comes first
in our work.Copy !req
1003. You want my honest evaluation
of this team?Copy !req
1004. I didn't want to speak out
in front of them.Copy !req
1005. I understand, go ahead.Copy !req
1006. Well, Chapman will be fine.
Ice water in his veins.Copy !req
1007. Joyce is... He'll be okay.Copy !req
1008. - lt's Warden I don't get.
- Oh, why not?Copy !req
1009. Cambridge don and all of that.Copy !req
1010. It's one thing to play with explosives
like a kid with firecrackers—Copy !req
1011. He's not without experience,
you know.Copy !req
1012. When we lost Singapore, he stayed
behind to blow up a couple of bridges.Copy !req
1013. And many other installations
before the Japs caught him.Copy !req
1014. - Caught him?
- Yes.Copy !req
1015. - Fascinating story. He—
- Sir, it's most annoying.Copy !req
1016. In view of time, they don't think
practice jumps would be worthwhile.Copy !req
1017. - No?
- lf you make one jump...Copy !req
1018. you've only got 50 percent
chance of injury.Copy !req
1019. Two jumps, 80 percent. Three jumps,
you're bound to get your packet.Copy !req
1020. The consensus is, the most sensible
thing for Major Shears to do...Copy !req
1021. is to go ahead and jump
and hope for the best.Copy !req
1022. With or without parachute?Copy !req
1023. Oh, very good!Copy !req
1024. With or without!Copy !req
1025. He's in the trees!Copy !req
1026. Yai says we can't reach
the Kwai by the route you took.Copy !req
1027. There are too many Japanese patrols.
We'll swing north through heavy jungle.Copy !req
1028. - Who's gonna lead the way?
- Yai himself.Copy !req
1029. He hates the Japanese.
They took all his men.Copy !req
1030. Which means we shall have to
use women bearers.Copy !req
1031. - Women bearers.
- They're very capable, I'm told.Copy !req
1032. He says it's dangerous
to spend the night in the village.Copy !req
1033. There's an enemy post three miles away
so we'll have to sleep in the jungle.Copy !req
1034. - What about Chapman?
- Yai will bury him and his chute.Copy !req
1035. Is there something wrong?Copy !req
1036. I was just thinking.
You speak Yai's language. I don't.Copy !req
1037. He's gonna lead you back to the river
by a route I never took.Copy !req
1038. Will someone tell me why
I'm so indispensable to this outfit?Copy !req
1039. I know how you feel, but there's
always the unexpected, isn't there?Copy !req
1040. Tell that to Chapman.Copy !req
1041. Let's get cracking.Copy !req
1042. You're lovely.Copy !req
1043. Lovely.Copy !req
1044. Be happy in your work.Copy !req
1045. Yes, sir.Copy !req
1046. Leeches.Copy !req
1047. She's telling you to hold still.
She'll take the leeches off your back.Copy !req
1048. What's a nice girl like you
doing in a place like this?Copy !req
1049. I'll teach you to say that in Siamese.Copy !req
1050. No, that would spoil it.
Too much talk always spoils it.Copy !req
1051. What's wrong with that thing?Copy !req
1052. It's taken an awful beating.
I can't get a strong signal.Copy !req
1053. I'll tell you what's wrong.Copy !req
1054. It's wet, mildewed, corroded, rotten.
Like everything else in this jungle.Copy !req
1055. You might as well dump it!Copy !req
1056. This is Radio Tokyo signing off.Copy !req
1057. This is your friendliest enemy
reminding you to take it easy...Copy !req
1058. and never volunteer for anything.Copy !req
1059. If we stay, we'll be up to our necks.Copy !req
1060. - l've got it all decoded, sir.
- Read it.Copy !req
1061. Yes, sir. "One, original
bridge works reported abandoned.Copy !req
1062. New construction downstream
from first site.Copy !req
1063. Two, enemy intends to open railway
with passage of special train...Copy !req
1064. Bangkok for Rangoon
with troops and V.l.P.Copy !req
1065. Estimated to arrive target, a.m. 13th.Copy !req
1066. Three, synchronize demolition
with passage this train.Copy !req
1067. Four, good hunting. Have fun."
That's all, sir.Copy !req
1068. A train and a bridge!Copy !req
1069. Yes, sir.
Can we get there in time, sir?Copy !req
1070. Yai says we're two to three days'
march from the Kwai.Copy !req
1071. If we set a faster pace, we could
make it before sundown on the 12th.Copy !req
1072. It's worth it for the train.Copy !req
1073. Oh, by all means. Good hunting.
Good show.Copy !req
1074. Jolly good fun. Jolly, jolly good.Copy !req
1075. If you hadn't fixed the radio,
we wouldn't know about the train.Copy !req
1076. Well, there's always the unexpected,
isn't there?Copy !req
1077. Heave!Copy !req
1078. Heave! Heave!Copy !req
1079. - Half a pint, sir.
- Quinine.Copy !req
1080. Well, we'll complete this later.Copy !req
1081. - Clipton, we're facing a crisis.
- Yes, sir?Copy !req
1082. I spoke with Reeves and Hughes.
We won't finish the bridge on time.Copy !req
1083. We just haven't the manpower.Copy !req
1084. I've asked the officers to lend a hand,
but even that won't do it.Copy !req
1085. The officers are going to work?Copy !req
1086. I explained the situation and they
volunteered, but it's not enough.Copy !req
1087. Why not ask Saito
for some of his men?Copy !req
1088. This is our show. We must
make the most of our resources.Copy !req
1089. That's what l came to talk
to you about. The sick list.Copy !req
1090. There's not a man in this hospital
who doesn't belong there.Copy !req
1091. Don't jump to conclusions.
No reflection on you...Copy !req
1092. but there are always
a few malingerers.Copy !req
1093. Be honest. Keep an open mind
is all I ask.Copy !req
1094. Come along, let's see.Copy !req
1095. Don't move, don't move.Copy !req
1096. What's the matter with Haskins?Copy !req
1097. He's got amoebic dysentery and
blackwater fever. Temperature of 104.Copy !req
1098. Right. I see.Copy !req
1099. And this man?Copy !req
1100. Leg ulcers. L may be able to save
the leg if I do more cutting tonight.Copy !req
1101. Really want to send him
out to work, sir?Copy !req
1102. Don't talk rot, Clipton.Copy !req
1103. - And that man there?
- His arm's infected.Copy !req
1104. Most of their wounds
won't heal properly.Copy !req
1105. I wonder, in his case,
if fresh air and light duties...Copy !req
1106. might do more good
than being cooped up.Copy !req
1107. - Light duties?
- lt's not our policy to keep a man...Copy !req
1108. - ... just because he scratched his arm.
- Not our policy?Copy !req
1109. Well, is it?Copy !req
1110. A man may not be on top of his form,
but he can still make himself useful.Copy !req
1111. Trimmings and finishing jobs.
Stand easy, Baker.Copy !req
1112. Tell me, you feel up to doing
a little light work on the bridge?Copy !req
1113. - Anything you say, sir.
- Good show.Copy !req
1114. What about you? Nothing difficult.Copy !req
1115. - l'll try, sir.
- Good man.Copy !req
1116. Now, look here, men. Lt goes
without saying I'm proud of all of you.Copy !req
1117. But we're facing a crisis.
For those of you who feel up to it...Copy !req
1118. how about lending us a hand?
Fetch and carry, paint here and there?Copy !req
1119. What do you say?Copy !req
1120. - Yes, sir.
- Good show. Come on, follow me.Copy !req
1121. Ten minutes.Copy !req
1122. Make sure they're all dead.Copy !req
1123. Come on, Joyce.Copy !req
1124. Use your knife, man,
or we'll be shooting each other.Copy !req
1125. Go that way, Joyce.Copy !req
1126. I could have done it. L was ready.Copy !req
1127. Are you hit, sir?Copy !req
1128. Let's go.Copy !req
1129. It's superficial. Maybe a chipped bone,
but there's nothing broken.Copy !req
1130. - lt's my fault, sir.
- Oh, shut up, Joyce.Copy !req
1131. I can walk on it.
That's all that counts.Copy !req
1132. Yeah, but how far and how fast?Copy !req
1133. We won't know that
till l've tried it, will we?Copy !req
1134. What are you doing?Copy !req
1135. I didn't give orders for a halt.Copy !req
1136. We all need it.Copy !req
1137. We're still five hours' fast march
from the objective.Copy !req
1138. Maybe six.Copy !req
1139. Come on.Copy !req
1140. You keep walking on that foot,
you'll bleed to death.Copy !req
1141. Yeah.Copy !req
1142. - You're gonna leave me here.
- lf you stop, we stop.Copy !req
1143. You can't study the layout
of the bridge after dark.Copy !req
1144. You've got to get there
before sundown.Copy !req
1145. But, sir, when the job's done, who
knows if we can return by this route...Copy !req
1146. or whether we could find you
if we did?Copy !req
1147. If you were me, l wouldn't hesitate
to leave you and you know that.Copy !req
1148. He doesn't know it, but I do.Copy !req
1149. You'd leave your own mother here
if the rules called for it.Copy !req
1150. You'll go on without me.
That's an order.Copy !req
1151. You're in command now, Shears.Copy !req
1152. I won't obey that order.Copy !req
1153. You make me sick with your heroics.Copy !req
1154. You carry the stench of death
like the plague.Copy !req
1155. Explosives and L pills
go well together.Copy !req
1156. It's one thing or the other.
Destroy a bridge or destroy yourself.Copy !req
1157. This is just a game, this war.Copy !req
1158. You and that Colonel Nicholson,
you're crazy with courage. For what?Copy !req
1159. How to die like a gentleman,
how to die by the rules...Copy !req
1160. when the only important thing
is how to live like a human being!Copy !req
1161. I'm not gonna leave you
here to die, Warden...Copy !req
1162. because I don't care about
your bridge or about your rules.Copy !req
1163. If we go on, we go on together.Copy !req
1164. Good old Yai.Copy !req
1165. I'm all right.Copy !req
1166. Come on.Copy !req
1167. Let's get closer.Copy !req
1168. Still sorry we brought you along?Copy !req
1169. - Feeling better?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1170. You're in command again now,
you know.Copy !req
1171. Thank you, major.Copy !req
1172. I can't understand it.
It's such a solid, well-designed job.Copy !req
1173. Not like the bridges
the enemy usually throws together.Copy !req
1174. Look.Copy !req
1175. Those poor devils down there.Copy !req
1176. Imagine being forced to build that
in the condition they must be in.Copy !req
1177. They've got a British officer
working on his knees.Copy !req
1178. The Japanese seem
to be enjoying it too.Copy !req
1179. If he knew we were here,
it might boost his morale a little.Copy !req
1180. If not for the train, we could
set a time fuse and be miles away.Copy !req
1181. Since we don't know
what time it'll cross tomorrow...Copy !req
1182. we'll have to do the job manually.Copy !req
1183. We'll set the charges
against the piles...Copy !req
1184. about three feet under the water,
I should think...Copy !req
1185. and run the main wire
downstream to the plunger.Copy !req
1186. The problem is where to hide it.Copy !req
1187. Our side of the river is quite
obviously used by the Japanese.Copy !req
1188. They'd spot it at once.Copy !req
1189. Look. Do you see
those fallen tree trunks?Copy !req
1190. And the grey rock just below them
on that little beach?Copy !req
1191. - Yes, sir, l see them.
- That's our key position.Copy !req
1192. It's on the wrong side of the river...Copy !req
1193. but it's the only hiding place
within feasible distance.Copy !req
1194. As soon as the bridge goes up...Copy !req
1195. whoever's there
will have to swim back.Copy !req
1196. It's not likely to be a pleasant swim.Copy !req
1197. Sir, l was the best swimmer
in my course.Copy !req
1198. Yeah.Copy !req
1199. It looks like
your line of country, then.Copy !req
1200. Thank you, sir.Copy !req
1201. Shears, pick a spot on our side
of the bank where you can cover Joyce.Copy !req
1202. Yai will be with you
so you can occupy the Nips...Copy !req
1203. - ... if they make any trouble for Joyce.
- Right.Copy !req
1204. On the theory that
there's always one more thing...Copy !req
1205. l'll set up the mortar here
to create an additional diversion.Copy !req
1206. Perhaps I might even take
a few potshots at the train.Copy !req
1207. All clear?Copy !req
1208. Any questions?
Right, we'll start as soon as it's dark.Copy !req
1209. They're sure to have
sentries on the bridge...Copy !req
1210. so you'll have to float
the stuff down from upriver...Copy !req
1211. which means building a raft.Copy !req
1212. Yai.Copy !req
1213. Yai will take three women
to help you build the raft.Copy !req
1214. One will stay here with me.
All right, now get cracking.Copy !req
1215. Shears.Copy !req
1216. You know, if it wasn't for my ankle,
I'd take Joyce's assignment.Copy !req
1217. I know.Copy !req
1218. You think he'll be all right?Copy !req
1219. I think so. Want me to handle it?Copy !req
1220. I'd let you stay up here
with the mortar if l could.Copy !req
1221. I'm sorry.Copy !req
1222. When it's over, I hope you get
that medical discharge...Copy !req
1223. and not the hard way.Copy !req
1224. Thanks.Copy !req
1225. Load.Copy !req
1226. Beautiful.Copy !req
1227. Yes, beautiful.Copy !req
1228. A first-rate job.Copy !req
1229. I had no idea it would
turn out so well.Copy !req
1230. Yes.Copy !req
1231. A beautiful creation.Copy !req
1232. I've been thinking.Copy !req
1233. Tomorrow it will be 28 years to
the day that l've been in the service.Copy !req
1234. Twenty-eight years in peace and war.Copy !req
1235. I haven't been at home more
than 10 months in all that time.Copy !req
1236. Still, it's been a good life.Copy !req
1237. I love lndia.Copy !req
1238. I wouldn't have had it any other way.Copy !req
1239. But there are times...Copy !req
1240. when suddenly you realise you are
nearer the end than the beginning.Copy !req
1241. And you wonder...Copy !req
1242. You ask yourself...Copy !req
1243. what the sum total
of your life represents...Copy !req
1244. what difference your being there
at any time made to anything...Copy !req
1245. or if it made any difference
at all, really.Copy !req
1246. Particularly in comparison
with other men's careers.Copy !req
1247. I don't know whether that
kind of thinking's healthy...Copy !req
1248. but l must admit I've had
some thoughts on those lines...Copy !req
1249. from time to time.Copy !req
1250. But tonight...Copy !req
1251. Tonight...Copy !req
1252. Blast.Copy !req
1253. I must be off.Copy !req
1254. The men are preparing
some sort of entertainment.Copy !req
1255. Lovely.Copy !req
1256. I'm sure l speak for all of us...Copy !req
1257. when I say this has been
a most enjoyable evening.Copy !req
1258. As you know,
most of you move on tomorrow...Copy !req
1259. to a new camp
and new construction.Copy !req
1260. It's a pity you won't be here to see
the first practical use of this bridge.Copy !req
1261. However, you'll be glad to know
that the completion...Copy !req
1262. of this link in the railway...Copy !req
1263. will enable us to transport
the sick and disabled...Copy !req
1264. to the new camp by train.Copy !req
1265. Colonel Saito has kindly
permitted me to stay behind...Copy !req
1266. with Major Clipton
and the sick men...Copy !req
1267. and we'll rejoin you
in a few days' time.Copy !req
1268. Now that your work here
is finished...Copy !req
1269. l suppose many of you
feel somewhat let down.Copy !req
1270. That's quite understandable.Copy !req
1271. It's a very natural reaction.Copy !req
1272. But one day, in a week,
a month, a year...Copy !req
1273. on that day when, God willing,
we all return to our homes again...Copy !req
1274. you're going to feel very proud
of what you have achieved here...Copy !req
1275. in the face of great adversity.Copy !req
1276. What you have done should be...Copy !req
1277. and l think will be...Copy !req
1278. an example to all our countrymen,
soldier and civilian alike.Copy !req
1279. You have survived with honour.Copy !req
1280. That, and more.Copy !req
1281. Here in the wilderness...Copy !req
1282. you have turned defeat
into victory.Copy !req
1283. I congratulate you.Copy !req
1284. Well done.Copy !req
1285. To the king.Copy !req
1286. And you're in business.Copy !req
1287. Now, you got everything? Sten,
ammunition, pack, canteen, knife.Copy !req
1288. Yes.Copy !req
1289. I'll be directly across the river.Copy !req
1290. The professor says there's
always one more thing to do.Copy !req
1291. I can't think of what it could be.Copy !req
1292. Except to wish you
a long and happy life.Copy !req
1293. Thank you.Copy !req
1294. What's happened?Copy !req
1295. The river's gone down.Copy !req
1296. You can see the wire.Copy !req
1297. The charges!Copy !req
1298. Don't wait for the train.Copy !req
1299. Do it now!Copy !req
1300. If Saito is correct, the train
should be along in five or 10 minutes.Copy !req
1301. If you don't mind,
I'll watch from up on the hill.Copy !req
1302. Why? You'll get a better view
from the bridge.Copy !req
1303. It's hard to explain, sir.
I'd rather not be a part of it.Copy !req
1304. As you please. Honestly, sometimes
I don't understand you at all.Copy !req
1305. Well, as you once said, sir,
I've got a lot to learn about the army.Copy !req
1306. Good morning.Copy !req
1307. River's gone down in the night.Copy !req
1308. What's he doing?Copy !req
1309. Colonel, there's something
rather odd going on.Copy !req
1310. I think we better have a look around
before that train comes across.Copy !req
1311. He's gone mad.Copy !req
1312. He's leading him right to it.Copy !req
1313. Our own man!Copy !req
1314. I was right.
There is something going on.Copy !req
1315. You've got to do it, boy.
You've got to do it now.Copy !req
1316. Colonel, have you a knife? l've just
realised the bridge has been mined.Copy !req
1317. Mined?Copy !req
1318. Good boy!Copy !req
1319. Officer, sir. British officer.
Here to blow up the bridge.Copy !req
1320. - Blow up the bridge?
- Yes, sir. British commando orders.Copy !req
1321. - Blow up the bridge?
- Yes, sir. There's no time!Copy !req
1322. No, no! Help!Copy !req
1323. Help!Copy !req
1324. Kill him! Kill him!Copy !req
1325. Let me go, sir!
You don't understand, sir!Copy !req
1326. Kill him! Kill him!Copy !req
1327. Help!Copy !req
1328. Kill him, Joyce! Kill him!Copy !req
1329. You!Copy !req
1330. What have l done?Copy !req
1331. Madness.Copy !req
1332. I had to do it.Copy !req
1333. I had to do it.
They might have been captured alive.Copy !req
1334. It was the only thing to do!Copy !req
1335. Madness.Copy !req