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 I 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. I want you to keep this lighter.Copy !req
20. Think I 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, I 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. I 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. If you work hard,
you will be treated well.Copy !req
70. But if you do not work hard...Copy !req
71. you will be punished.Copy !req
72. A word to you about escape.Copy !req
73. There is no barbed wire.Copy !req
74. No stockade.Copy !req
75. No watchtower.Copy !req
76. They are not necessary.Copy !req
77. We are an island in the jungle.Copy !req
78. Escape is impossible.Copy !req
79. You would die.Copy !req
80. Today you rest.
Tomorrow you'll begin.Copy !req
81. Let me remind you of
General Yamashita's motto:Copy !req
82. Let me remind you of
General Yamashita's motto:Copy !req
83. "Be happy in your work."Copy !req
84. Be happy in your work.Copy !req
85. Dismissed.Copy !req
86. Battalion, stand at ease.Copy !req
87. Fall out, Major Hughes.Copy !req
88. Battalion, stand easy.Copy !req
89. Get the men to their quarters.
See who's sick.Copy !req
90. I'm gonna have a word
with this fellow. Colonel!Copy !req
91. I heard your remarks just now, sir.Copy !req
92. My men will carry on in the way
one expects of a British soldier.Copy !req
93. My officers and I
will be responsible for their conduct.Copy !req
94. You may have overlooked the fact
that the use of officers for labour...Copy !req
95. is expressly forbidden
by the Geneva Convention.Copy !req
96. Is that so?Copy !req
97. I have a copy of the Convention...Copy !req
98. I have a copy of the Convention...Copy !req
99. and would be glad to
let you glance through it.Copy !req
100. That will not be necessary.Copy !req
101. Sit down, please.Copy !req
102. Yes, sir.Copy !req
103. - I'm gonna have a word with Clipton.
- Very good, sir.Copy !req
104. Clipton, don't let me interrupt.Copy !req
105. Clipton, don't let me interrupt.Copy !req
106. - How's the arm?
- Nearly healed.Copy !req
107. Sir, this is Commander Shears
of the United States Navy.Copy !req
108. - Good.
- How do you do, sir?Copy !req
109. We found him and an Australian.Copy !req
110. All that's left of the prisoners
who built the camp.Copy !req
111. U.S. Navy? Out here?Copy !req
112. For a sailor, I am sort of landlocked.Copy !req
113. - You lost your ship?
- The Houston.Copy !req
114. I made it ashore, but I got separated
from the other survivors.Copy !req
115. And your group here?Copy !req
116. Mostly Aussies. Some lime—Copy !req
117. Some British.
Indians, Burmese, Siamese.Copy !req
118. And what happened to them?Copy !req
119. They died...Copy !req
120. of malaria, dysentery,
beriberi, gangrene.Copy !req
121. Other causes of death:Copy !req
122. Famine, overwork, bullet wounds,
snakebites...Copy !req
123. Saito.Copy !req
124. Then there were some
who just got tired of living.Copy !req
125. Has Clipton seen you?Copy !req
126. Just about to, sir. Come over here,
commander, you can shave later.Copy !req
127. All right.Copy !req
128. You'll stay with the officers.Copy !req
129. We'll scrape up
some decent clothing.Copy !req
130. Don't bother about me.Copy !req
131. I'm not anxious to
get off the sick list.Copy !req
132. Besides, this is working kit.
It's the fashion out here.Copy !req
133. The officers in your party
did manual labour?Copy !req
134. I think you could call it that.Copy !req
135. I raised that very point
with Colonel what's-his-name.Copy !req
136. Saito.Copy !req
137. - I think he understands now.
- Is that so?Copy !req
138. Yes. I must say he seems
quite a reasonable type.Copy !req
139. Well, I must be pushing on.Copy !req
140. There's an officer's meeting at 7.Copy !req
141. - Give me a list of your requirements.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
142. Anything we can do.Copy !req
143. Oh, thank you, sir.Copy !req
144. - What is it?
- Never mind.Copy !req
145. Go on, say it.Copy !req
146. I can think of a lot of things
to call Saito...Copy !req
147. but reasonable, that's a new one.Copy !req
148. Perhaps Colonel Nicholson
defines the word differently.Copy !req
149. Any other points?Copy !req
150. - By your leave, sir?
- Yes, Jennings?Copy !req
151. About the escape committee.
I've spoken with Commander Shears—Copy !req
152. About the escape committee.
I've spoken with Commander Shears—Copy !req
153. There won't be any
escape committee.Copy !req
154. I don't understand, sir.
Lieutenant Jennings has a plan.Copy !req
155. Yes, yes, I'm sure Jennings
has a plan, but escape?Copy !req
156. Where? Into this jungle?
That fellow, Saito, is right.Copy !req
157. No need for barbed wire here.
One chance in 100 of survival.Copy !req
158. I'm sure a man of Commander Shears'
experience will back me up on that.Copy !req
159. I'd say the odds against a
successful escape are 100 to one.Copy !req
160. - Right.
- But may I add another word?Copy !req
161. Please.Copy !req
162. The odds against survival in this camp
are even worse.Copy !req
163. You've seen the graveyard.
They're your real odds.Copy !req
164. To give up hope of escape...Copy !req
165. to stop thinking about it,
is like accepting a death sentence.Copy !req
166. Why haven't you tried to escape,
commander?Copy !req
167. I'm biding my time. Waiting for
the right moment, the right company.Copy !req
168. I understand how you feel.Copy !req
169. Of course, it's the duty of a
captured soldier to attempt escape.Copy !req
170. But my men and I are involved
in a curious legal point...Copy !req
171. of which you are unaware.Copy !req
172. In Singapore we were ordered to
surrender by command headquarters.Copy !req
173. Ordered, mind you.Copy !req
174. Therefore, in our case, escape might
well be an infraction of military law.Copy !req
175. - Interesting?
- Yes, sir, interesting point.Copy !req
176. I'm sorry, sir,
I didn't quite follow you.Copy !req
177. You intend to uphold the letter
of the law, no matter what it costs?Copy !req
178. Without law, commander,
there is no civilisation.Copy !req
179. That's just my point.
Here, there is no civilisation.Copy !req
180. Then we have the opportunity
to introduce it.Copy !req
181. I suggest we drop
the subject of escape.Copy !req
182. I suggest we drop
the subject of escape.Copy !req
183. Is there anything else?Copy !req
184. I think we're all clear
on the programme.Copy !req
185. I want everything to go off without
a hitch starting tomorrow morning.Copy !req
186. And remember this:Copy !req
187. Our men must always feel
they are still commanded by us...Copy !req
188. and not by the Japanese.Copy !req
189. So long as they have that idea,
they'll be soldiers and not slaves.Copy !req
190. Are you with me there, commander?Copy !req
191. Well, I...Copy !req
192. Well, I...Copy !req
193. I hope they can
remain soldiers, colonel.Copy !req
194. As for me, I'm just a slave.Copy !req
195. A living slave.Copy !req
196. Queer bird. Even for an Ameri—Copy !req
197. He's been in isolation too long,
poor chap.Copy !req
198. Cut off from his unit.
It should be a lesson to all of us.Copy !req
199. English prisoners!Copy !req
200. Notice I do not say English soldiers.Copy !req
201. From the moment you surrendered,
you ceased to be soldiers.Copy !req
202. You will finish the bridge
by the 12th day of May.Copy !req
203. You will work under the direction
of a Japanese engineer.Copy !req
204. Time is short. All men will work.Copy !req
205. Your officers will work beside you.Copy !req
206. This is only just...Copy !req
207. for it is they
who betrayed you by surrender.Copy !req
208. Your shame is their dishonour.Copy !req
209. It is they who told you...Copy !req
210. better to live like a coolie
then die like a hero.Copy !req
211. It is they who brought you here,
not I.Copy !req
212. Therefore, they will join you
in useful labour.Copy !req
213. That is all.Copy !req
214. Officer prisoners, collect your tools.Copy !req
215. Bradley, back in your place.Copy !req
216. I must call your attention,
Colonel Saito...Copy !req
217. to Article 27
of the Geneva Convention.Copy !req
218. "Belligerents may employ
prisoners of war...Copy !req
219. who are fit,
other than officers—"Copy !req
220. Give me the book.Copy !req
221. By all means.
You read English, I take it?Copy !req
222. - Do you read Japanese?
- I'm sorry, no.Copy !req
223. If it's a matter of translation,
I'm sure it can be arranged.Copy !req
224. You see, the Code states that—Copy !req
225. Stand fast in the ranks.Copy !req
226. You speak to me of code?Copy !req
227. What code?Copy !req
228. The coward's code!Copy !req
229. What do you know
of the soldier's code?Copy !req
230. Of Bushido? Nothing!Copy !req
231. You are unworthy of command!Copy !req
232. Since you refuse to abide by the laws
of the civilised world...Copy !req
233. we must consider ourselves
absolved from our duty to obey you.Copy !req
234. My officers will not
do manual labour.Copy !req
235. We shall see.Copy !req
236. All enlisted prisoners to work.Copy !req
237. Sergeant Major!
Take the men to work.Copy !req
238. Battalion, take up tools.Copy !req
239. Move to the left in columnar route.
Left turn!Copy !req
240. "A" Company, by the right,
quick march.Copy !req
241. "A" Company, by the right,
quick march.Copy !req
242. Eyes right.Copy !req
243. Eyes right.Copy !req
244. Eyes front.Copy !req
245. Eyes right.Copy !req
246. Quick march, eyes right.Copy !req
247. "C" Company, by the right.Copy !req
248. What's he up to?Copy !req
249. Looks like he doesn't
want any witnesses.Copy !req
250. Now, you will be reasonable.Copy !req
251. You will order your officers to work.Copy !req
252. No.Copy !req
253. I will count three.Copy !req
254. If by the third count...Copy !req
255. you and your officers
are not on the way to work...Copy !req
256. I will give the order to fire.Copy !req
257. He's going to do it.Copy !req
258. Believe me,
he's really going to do it.Copy !req
259. One.Copy !req
260. I warn you, Colonel Saito.Copy !req
261. Two.Copy !req
262. Stop!Copy !req
263. Colonel Saito,
I've seen and heard everything.Copy !req
264. So has every man in the hospital.Copy !req
265. There are too many witnesses.Copy !req
266. You can't call it a mass escape.
Most of those men can't walk.Copy !req
267. Is this your soldier's code?
Murdering unarmed men?Copy !req
268. You see, Jennings, there are certain
advantages to being on the sick list.Copy !req
269. I'll say this for the old man.
He's got guts.Copy !req
270. "Into the valley of death
rode the 600."Copy !req
271. How's that, sir?Copy !req
272. That kind of guts.Copy !req
273. Also the kind they had in 1914...Copy !req
274. when officers fought
with only a swagger stick.Copy !req
275. - I see what you mean.
- You don't see what I mean at all.Copy !req
276. The kind of guts
that can get us all killed.Copy !req
277. Excuse me, sir,
I'd like to go along too.Copy !req
278. Excuse me, sir,
I'd like to go along too.Copy !req
279. Arm's almost healed, sir,
really it is.Copy !req
280. What about him?Copy !req
281. He didn't order us not to escape,
he suggested.Copy !req
282. Listen, when a man like your colonel
suggests something, it's an order.Copy !req
283. Here we go again.Copy !req
284. Colonel Saito says all officers
to punishment hut.Copy !req
285. Tell them to go.Copy !req
286. Not you.Copy !req
287. Come.Copy !req
288. Leave him alone!Copy !req
289. Leave him alone!Copy !req
290. They're gonna put him in the oven.Copy !req
291. For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellowCopy !req
292. For he's a jolly good fellowCopy !req
293. And so say all of usCopy !req
294. And so say all of us
And so say all of usCopy !req
295. For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellowCopy !req
296. For he's a jolly good fellowCopy !req
297. And so say all of usCopy !req
298. Timber!Copy !req
299. One, two, three, four.Copy !req
300. One, two, three, four.Copy !req
301. No, no, no!Copy !req
302. Let go!Copy !req
303. Let go!Copy !req
304. You wish to see me?Copy !req
305. I've been trying to see you
for three days.Copy !req
306. It's about Colonel Nicholson.
He's been shut up in that hut—Copy !req
307. I could have you shot.Copy !req
308. Those prisoners who tried to escape,
they were in your charge.Copy !req
309. I knew nothing about the escape.Copy !req
310. It does not matter.Copy !req
311. One must even respect
those who tried.Copy !req
312. For a brief moment,
between escape and death...Copy !req
313. they were soldiers again.Copy !req
314. But it is insane to try and escape.Copy !req
315. Two soldiers shot,
the third drowned.Copy !req
316. To what end?Copy !req
317. It was an escape from reality.Copy !req
318. There is your reality.Copy !req
319. This shows the position work
should have reached by noon today.Copy !req
320. And this shows the position
of actual progress.Copy !req
321. Because of your
colonel's stubbornness...Copy !req
322. we are far behind schedule.Copy !req
323. That is not all.Copy !req
324. Enlisted prisoners
sabotaged the work.Copy !req
325. Yes, I have seen it.
I could have them all shot.Copy !req
326. Then who would build your bridge?Copy !req
327. Besides, are you sure it's sabotage?Copy !req
328. Perhaps the men don't work well
without their own officers.Copy !req
329. My officers will direct them.
Your officers will work beside them.Copy !req
330. That's for Colonel Nicholson to decide.
As he said, it's against the rules.Copy !req
331. Do not speak to me of rules.Copy !req
332. This is war!Copy !req
333. This is not a game of cricket.Copy !req
334. He's mad, your colonel...Copy !req
335. quite mad.Copy !req
336. Sit down, please.Copy !req
337. I have decided to allow you
one visit to your colonel.Copy !req
338. Thank you.Copy !req
339. Tell him that if his officers
will not work...Copy !req
340. I'll be forced
to close the hospital...Copy !req
341. and your patients will
work in their place.Copy !req
342. And many will die,
and he will be responsible.Copy !req
343. Go and speak to him.
You have five minutes.Copy !req
344. Hey, the doc's going
to see the old man.Copy !req
345. Sir...Copy !req
346. It's Clipton, sir.Copy !req
347. I brought you a few things.Copy !req
348. - How are the men?
- Fine, sir, fine.Copy !req
349. We scraped together a little meat
and a coconut.Copy !req
350. And the officers?Copy !req
351. Oh, they're not so good.
They're still in detention.Copy !req
352. And Lieutenant Jennings...
Jennings is dead.Copy !req
353. - What?
- Killed, attempting to escape.Copy !req
354. Also two others,
Corporal Weaver and the American.Copy !req
355. Jennings. Poor, brave lad.Copy !req
356. I warned him, didn't I, Clipton?Copy !req
357. Look, sir, we haven't much time.Copy !req
358. I'm going to clean you up a little
while I talk.Copy !req
359. I've got something to tell you.Copy !req
360. I've just had a word with Saito.Copy !req
361. That man is the worst commanding
officer I've ever come across.Copy !req
362. Actually, I think he's mad. Carry on.Copy !req
363. Blackmail.Copy !req
364. I know, sir, but he means it.
I'm sure he does.Copy !req
365. It's a question of face, pure and simple.
And he can't give in.Copy !req
366. It's still blackmail.Copy !req
367. Sir, you can't stand
much more of this.Copy !req
368. Wouldn't the officers be better off
working than suffocating in that hole?Copy !req
369. The men are doing a wonderful job.
They're going as slow as they dare.Copy !req
370. But Saito's cut their food rations...Copy !req
371. and if he makes
the sick men work...Copy !req
372. Well, they're going to die.
That's all there is to it.Copy !req
373. Yes, Clipton, I understand. Truly.Copy !req
374. But don't you see?
It's a matter of principle.Copy !req
375. If we give in now,
there'll be no end to it. No.Copy !req
376. Sir, we're lost in the jungle,
a thousand miles from anywhere.Copy !req
377. We're under the heel of a man
who'll stop at nothing to get his way.Copy !req
378. Principle!Copy !req
379. No one will ever know or care
what happens to us.Copy !req
380. Give in, sir. Please!Copy !req
381. I'm adamant.Copy !req
382. I will not have an officer
from my battalion working as a coolie.Copy !req
383. - Time.
- All right.Copy !req
384. Please thank those concerned.Copy !req
385. Everybody in the hospital
contributed one piece.Copy !req
386. Reynolds stole the coconut.Copy !req
387. We'll be able to get you
something from time to time.Copy !req
388. We've bribed one of your guards.Copy !req
389. Goodbye, sir. And good luck.Copy !req
390. Many thanks.Copy !req
391. - Clipton!
- Yes, sir?Copy !req
392. Did you say that American chap
was killed?Copy !req
393. Yes, sir. Shot and drowned.Copy !req
394. It's insane to plan escapes.Copy !req
395. Three men killed, and to what end?Copy !req
396. - Time!
- Here.Copy !req
397. - Here is where we must win through.
- Time, time!Copy !req
398. The doc just looked at us and shook
his head. Whatever that means.Copy !req
399. Means only one thing,
colonel won't give in.Copy !req
400. Well?Copy !req
401. It's like this.Copy !req
402. Colonel Nicholson
won't give in to force.Copy !req
403. It's a question of principle.Copy !req
404. As medical officer, I protest
to the way he's being treated.Copy !req
405. It's a wonder he's still alive.Copy !req
406. Should a tragedy occur,
it would be tantamount to murder.Copy !req
407. He is responsible.Copy !req
408. Not I.Copy !req
409. You sick?Copy !req
410. Are they both mad?Copy !req
411. Or am I going mad?Copy !req
412. Or is it the sun?Copy !req
413. Attention!Copy !req
414. Battalion, attention.Copy !req
415. English prisoners.Copy !req
416. Let us ask the question...Copy !req
417. why does the bridge not progress?Copy !req
418. You know why,
because your officers are lazy!Copy !req
419. They think themselves too good
to share your burden.Copy !req
420. This is not just.Copy !req
421. Therefore, you are not happy
in your work.Copy !req
422. Therefore, the bridge
does not progress.Copy !req
423. But there is another cause.Copy !req
424. I do not hide the truth.Copy !req
425. With deep shame and regret...Copy !req
426. I admit to you the failure...Copy !req
427. of a member of the Japanese staff.Copy !req
428. I refer to Lieutenant Miura.Copy !req
429. He is a bad engineer.Copy !req
430. He is unworthy of command.Copy !req
431. Therefore, I have removed him
from his post.Copy !req
432. Tomorrow we begin again.Copy !req
433. I shall be in personal command.Copy !req
434. Today we rest.Copy !req
435. All work and no play
make Jack a dull boy.Copy !req
436. As token of regard
for your efforts in the future...Copy !req
437. I give presents to you all.Copy !req
438. Let us be happy in our work.Copy !req
439. Company, dismissed.Copy !req
440. Battalion, dismissed.Copy !req
441. Hey, take a look at this.Copy !req
442. Red Cross! He's given us our—Copy !req
443. Hey, he's given us
our own Red Cross parcels.Copy !req
444. "Tomorrow we begin again."Copy !req
445. Hey, Harry, look.Copy !req
446. They're letting the old man out.Copy !req
447. Most likely gonna give him
another pasting.Copy !req
448. Good evening, colonel.Copy !req
449. Do you mind sitting over here?Copy !req
450. I am having rather a late supper.Copy !req
451. English corned beef.Copy !req
452. No, thank you.Copy !req
453. Produce of Scotland.Copy !req
454. I prefer it to sake.Copy !req
455. I spent three years in London,
you know.Copy !req
456. I studied at the London Polytechnic.Copy !req
457. Cheers.Copy !req
458. Sorry.Copy !req
459. Later, perhaps?Copy !req
460. Perhaps.Copy !req
461. I was not a good artist.Copy !req
462. My father disapproved.Copy !req
463. He felt I belonged in the army.Copy !req
464. So I changed from art
to engineering.Copy !req
465. I must tell you, Colonel Saito.Copy !req
466. I must tell you, Colonel Saito.Copy !req
467. I intend to make a full report
of your activities in this camp.Copy !req
468. I do not think you quite
realise my position.Copy !req
469. - I must carry out my orders.
- Oh, quite, quite.Copy !req
470. My orders are to complete the bridge
by the 12th day of May.Copy !req
471. - I have only 12 weeks more.
- No doubt.Copy !req
472. Therefore, I am compelled
to use all available personnel.Copy !req
473. But no officers, except in
an administrative capacity.Copy !req
474. But officers are working
along the entire railway.Copy !req
475. You know it. I know it.Copy !req
476. I'm not responsible
for the actions of other officers.Copy !req
477. Personally, I'm appalled.Copy !req
478. Let's not get excited.Copy !req
479. Will you have a cigar?Copy !req
480. No. Thank you.Copy !req
481. When I said all officers must work...Copy !req
482. naturally, I never meant you,
the commanding officer.Copy !req
483. My orders were only intended
for officers below—Copy !req
484. None of my officers
will do manual labour.Copy !req
485. Please! I was about to say:Copy !req
486. I've been thinking the matter over
and have decided...Copy !req
487. to put majors and above
on administrative duties...Copy !req
488. leaving only junior officers
to lend a hand.Copy !req
489. I'm afraid not. The Convention's
quite clear on that point.Copy !req
490. Do you know what will happen to me
if the bridge is not ready in time?Copy !req
491. I haven't the foggiest.Copy !req
492. I'd have to kill myself.Copy !req
493. What would you do if you were me?Copy !req
494. I suppose if I were you...Copy !req
495. I'd have to kill myself.Copy !req
496. Cheers.Copy !req
497. I warn you, colonel...Copy !req
498. if I am to die,
others will die before me.Copy !req
499. Do you understand that?Copy !req
500. - Major Clipton did mention that.
- Well?Copy !req
501. That won't solve your problem.Copy !req
502. But I'm sure we can arrive
at a proper solution.Copy !req
503. Please sit down.Copy !req
504. Now, tell me, colonel...Copy !req
505. do you agree that the first job
of an officer is command?Copy !req
506. - Of course.
- Good.Copy !req
507. Now...Copy !req
508. Take this bridge of yours.Copy !req
509. It's quite an enormous undertaking.Copy !req
510. Frankly, I have grave doubts whether
your lieutenant— What's his name?Copy !req
511. - Miura.
- Miura.Copy !req
512. —is capable of tackling
a job of such importance.Copy !req
513. On the other hand, I have officers,
Reeves and Hughes for instance...Copy !req
514. who have built bridges
all over India.Copy !req
515. The men respect them.Copy !req
516. It's essential for an officer to have
that respect, I'm sure you agree.Copy !req
517. If he loses it,
he ceases to command.Copy !req
518. And what happens then?
Demoralization and chaos.Copy !req
519. A pretty poor commander I would be
if I allowed that to happen.Copy !req
520. Perhaps you are not aware...Copy !req
521. that the bridge is now
under my personal command.Copy !req
522. Really? And may I ask,
are you satisfied with the work?Copy !req
523. - I am not!
- You've proved my point.Copy !req
524. I hate the British!Copy !req
525. You are defeated
but you have no shame.Copy !req
526. You are stubborn
but have no pride.Copy !req
527. You endure
but you have no courage.Copy !req
528. I hate the British!Copy !req
529. Pointless, going on like this.Copy !req
530. Stay there!Copy !req
531. Stand down. Stand down!Copy !req
532. Battalion, attention!Copy !req
533. Battalion, stand at ease.Copy !req
534. Please...Copy !req
535. Do you know what is
the date today, colonel?Copy !req
536. I'm afraid I've lost count.Copy !req
537. It's the anniversary of
our great victory...Copy !req
538. over Russia in 1905.
- Oh, yes.Copy !req
539. Throughout East Asia
we are celebrating this date.Copy !req
540. In honour of this occasion...Copy !req
541. I have given your troops
a day of rest.Copy !req
542. Many thanks.Copy !req
543. Many thanks.Copy !req
544. I am declaring a general amnesty.Copy !req
545. You and your officers may
return to your quarters.Copy !req
546. As part of this amnesty...Copy !req
547. it will not be necessary
for officers to do manual labour.Copy !req
548. He's done it!Copy !req
549. Somebody deserves a medal, sir.Copy !req
550. How many men in your party?Copy !req
551. Well, I don't really know, sir.Copy !req
552. - You don't know?
- Sir, 12, usually.Copy !req
553. But, well, one of the men took sick
very suddenly this morning, sir.Copy !req
554. It took three or four
to help him to the hospital.Copy !req
555. And— He took terrible sick, sir.Copy !req
556. A corporal should always know
how many men he has under him.Copy !req
557. Oh, yes, sir.Copy !req
558. Have you a nervous affliction?
If not, stop making those faces at once.Copy !req
559. It may be funny to you,
but it's not military behaviour.Copy !req
560. No, sir.Copy !req
561. We must put a stop
to these demonstrations.Copy !req
562. Yes, sir.Copy !req
563. - I say, Reeves?
- Yes, sir?Copy !req
564. You ever constructed a bridge
across a stream like the Kwai?Copy !req
565. Yes, sir, half a dozen of them,
in Madras, Bengal...Copy !req
566. If this were your bridge...Copy !req
567. how would you get it under way?Copy !req
568. Get it under way, sir?Copy !req
569. Well, first of all,
I wouldn't build it here.Copy !req
570. Oh, why not?Copy !req
571. As I was trying to tell you...Copy !req
572. the Japanese couldn't have picked
a worse location. There's no bottom.Copy !req
573. You see those piles?Copy !req
574. They're sinking.Copy !req
575. Our chaps could drive those logs
till doomsday and they wouldn't hold.Copy !req
576. Where would you build it?Copy !req
577. Why, further downstream, sir.
Across those narrows.Copy !req
578. Then we'd have solid bedrock
on both banks.Copy !req
579. Hughes, if this were your bridge,
how would you use the men?Copy !req
580. Well, sir, not the way they're doing it.
It's utter chaos, as you can see.Copy !req
581. It's a lot of uncoordinated activity.Copy !req
582. No teamwork.Copy !req
583. Some of those parties are actually
working against each other.Copy !req
584. Yes.Copy !req
585. I tell you, gentlemen, we have
a problem on our hands.Copy !req
586. Thanks to the Japanese,
we now command a rabble.Copy !req
587. There's no order, no discipline.Copy !req
588. - Our task is to rebuild the battalion.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
589. Which isn't going to be easy.Copy !req
590. But fortunately, we have
the means at hand. The bridge.Copy !req
591. - The bridge, sir?
- The bridge.Copy !req
592. We'll teach them a lesson in Western
efficiency that will put them to shame.Copy !req
593. We'll show them what
the British soldier is capable of.Copy !req
594. Yes. I see your point, sir.Copy !req
595. I realise how difficult
it's going to be here...Copy !req
596. where you can't find
what you need.Copy !req
597. - But there's the challenge.
- I beg your pardon, sir.Copy !req
598. You mean, you really want them
to build the bridge?Copy !req
599. You're not usually
so slow on the uptake, Evans.Copy !req
600. I know our men.
You've got to keep them occupied.Copy !req
601. Fact is, if there weren't any work,
we'd invent some, eh, Reeves?Copy !req
602. - That we would, sir.
- So we're lucky.Copy !req
603. But it's going to be a proper bridge.Copy !req
604. Here again I know the men.Copy !req
605. It's essential that they
take pride in their job.Copy !req
606. - Right, gentlemen?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
607. Reeves, you're the key man
in this situation, as engineer.Copy !req
608. Tell me what you want and we'll
organise it. Can we make a go of it?Copy !req
609. - We'll do our best, sir.
- Fine.Copy !req
610. We must draw up our plans...Copy !req
611. then arrange a conference
with Saito...Copy !req
612. and set him straight.Copy !req
613. Well, I think that takes care of all
the procedural matters. Now...Copy !req
614. Oh, yes.Copy !req
615. The next point is somewhat unpleasant
for all concerned, I'm afraid.Copy !req
616. Sorry to tell you, we feel the position
of the bridge was fixed hastily...Copy !req
617. and, I have to add, incorrectly.Copy !req
618. Incorrectly?Copy !req
619. Unfortunately, yes.Copy !req
620. Our engineer has made
a study of the site...Copy !req
621. and has concluded that
the river bottom there is too soft.Copy !req
622. Too soft?Copy !req
623. Mud. All the work up to now
has been useless.Copy !req
624. - Reeves, will you carry on?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
625. Colonel, I've made tests.Copy !req
626. Those piles of yours could be hammered
below water level before they'd hold.Copy !req
627. That bridge would collapse
under the first train.Copy !req
628. The pressure and soil resistance
figures in tons per square inch.Copy !req
629. Just a moment, Reeves,
before you get too involved.Copy !req
630. Colonel, do you suppose
we could have a cup of tea?Copy !req
631. Then I take it we all agree
that if we're to avoid disaster...Copy !req
632. we build a new bridge,
at the site picked by Reeves...Copy !req
633. 400 yards downstream.Copy !req
634. So let's proceed to the next point.Copy !req
635. I've decided to alter
the daily work quota of our men.Copy !req
636. - Alter?
- Yes, I've increased it.Copy !req
637. From a yard and a half
of earth moved to two.Copy !req
638. I was sure it would meet
with your approval.Copy !req
639. Major Hughes has all the facts.
Hughes, would you take over?Copy !req
640. I've done a time study, Colonel Saito,
of the entire project.Copy !req
641. As you can see, the available forces
have been badly distributed.Copy !req
642. I would strongly urge we revise the
organisation of the working parties.Copy !req
643. Just a moment. Colonel, it would save
time if we could work during dinner.Copy !req
644. Would it be possible
to have a meal served here?Copy !req
645. Of course.Copy !req
646. If we—Copy !req
647. - Carry on, Hughes.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
648. If we increase the number of squads
and specialise their functions...Copy !req
649. I'm certain the total daily output
can be increased by 30 percent.Copy !req
650. Now, Colonel Saito,
I have one more point...Copy !req
651. Now, there's another important
decision that can't be postponed.Copy !req
652. As most of the British
will work on the bridge...Copy !req
653. only a small number will be available
for railway work.Copy !req
654. I must ask you to lend us some of your
men to reinforce the railway gang...Copy !req
655. so the final stretch of track can
be completed as quickly as possible.Copy !req
656. I have already given the order.Copy !req
657. We must fix the daily work quota
for your men.Copy !req
658. I thought of setting it at a yard
and a half so as not to overtire them...Copy !req
659. but isn't it best
to be the same as ours?Copy !req
660. That would also create a healthy
competitive spirit.Copy !req
661. I have already given the order.Copy !req
662. - We'll try to surpass that, won't we?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
663. I think that completes
the agenda for this evening.Copy !req
664. Thank you, Colonel Saito,
for your kind attention.Copy !req
665. And are there any other questions?Copy !req
666. One question.Copy !req
667. Can you finish the bridge in time?Copy !req
668. Frankly, the consensus of opinion
is that it's impossible.Copy !req
669. But we'll certainly give it a go.Copy !req
670. We mustn't forget we wasted a month
through an unfortunate disagreement...Copy !req
671. for which I was not to blame.Copy !req
672. Is there anything else?Copy !req
673. No.Copy !req
674. Thank you. The meeting is closed.Copy !req
675. - Good night.
- Good night.Copy !req
676. I hope these Japanese appreciate
what we're doing for them.Copy !req
677. For the moment, I'm not concerned
with their appreciation.Copy !req
678. - Good night, Clipton.
- Good night, sir.Copy !req
679. By the way, I meant to tell you...Copy !req
680. there are trees in this forest
very similar to elm.Copy !req
681. And the elm piles of London Bridge
lasted 600 years.Copy !req
682. - Six hundred years, Reeves?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
683. Six hundred years.Copy !req
684. That would be quite something.Copy !req
685. Good morning. I'm looking for an
American named Commander Shears.Copy !req
686. - Oh, yes, down on the beach.
- Oh, thank you very much.Copy !req
687. Kiss!Copy !req
688. Too many eyes.Copy !req
689. Too many eyes.Copy !req
690. You give me powders, pills, baths,
injections, enemas...Copy !req
691. when all I need is love.Copy !req
692. It's true.
All you really need is love.Copy !req
693. What makes you so sure
you'll get a medical discharge?Copy !req
694. Because I'm a civilian
at heart, lover.Copy !req
695. And I always follow my heart.Copy !req
696. Kiss.Copy !req
697. How's that, commander?Copy !req
698. Don't call me commander.Copy !req
699. It's unromantic.Copy !req
700. You're an officer yourself.Copy !req
701. How would you like it
if I called you Lieutenant Lover?Copy !req
702. Let's be democratic.
Just call me "sir."Copy !req
703. Yes, sir.Copy !req
704. Brass ahoy.Copy !req
705. He wants to see you. He's all yours.Copy !req
706. - I'm going for a swim.
- Don't leave me.Copy !req
707. - Commander Shears?
- Yes.Copy !req
708. My name's Warden.Copy !req
709. - How do you do?
- Sorry to intrude—Copy !req
710. That's okay, major.
I'm used to it by now.Copy !req
711. Like a martini?Copy !req
712. That's very kind, but I think not.Copy !req
713. - Mind if I have one?
- No.Copy !req
714. How did you get that?Copy !req
715. Where there's a hospital,
there's alcohol.Copy !req
716. Oh, yes, of course. Jolly good.Copy !req
717. Well, I'll be as brief as possible.Copy !req
718. I belong to a rather rum group
called Force 316.Copy !req
719. Our headquarters is up
in the Botanical Gardens.Copy !req
720. - Protecting rare plants from the enemy?
- Not quite.Copy !req
721. - Sure you won't have a martini?
- No, thanks.Copy !req
722. We have a particular interest
in that railway you worked on.Copy !req
723. You could give us no end
of valuable information.Copy !req
724. Well, I'm leaving
for the States in a few days...Copy !req
725. and I've already told your people
everything I know.Copy !req
726. But you could help us
in a rather special sense.Copy !req
727. I know it's a terrible imposition...Copy !req
728. but I wonder if you could possibly
come out and see us.Copy !req
729. Well, if you want to go over
the whole thing again.Copy !req
730. Oh, that's very kind.
Lord Louis will be grateful.Copy !req
731. - Lord who?
- Mountbatten.Copy !req
732. - We're one of his special pigeons.
- Oh, I see.Copy !req
733. Shall we say this evening, then?
About 8. I'll send a car for you.Copy !req
734. This evening? Out of the question.Copy !req
735. Well, tomorrow morning then?
About 10?Copy !req
736. - Okay, 10:00.
- Thanks very much.Copy !req
737. - Cheerio.
- Cheerio.Copy !req
738. Good luck.Copy !req
739. Thanks.Copy !req
740. I know, you're terribly sorry, but you're
going to stand me up tonight.Copy !req
741. You couldn't be more wrong.Copy !req
742. General salute!Copy !req
743. Present arms!Copy !req
744. - May I see your pass, sir, please?
- Oh, yes.Copy !req
745. Thank you, sir.Copy !req
746. Carry on, driver.Copy !req
747. Major Warden's bungalow
is at the end of the path.Copy !req
748. All right, thanks.Copy !req
749. Good show, Jenkins. Good show!Copy !req
750. Come along, Thomson.
Use your knife, man. Use your knife.Copy !req
751. Good! On your feet, chaps.
Away to the debriefing room quickly.Copy !req
752. Come on, move yourselves!
Move! Move quickly!Copy !req
753. Very clumsy, Joyce, very clumsy.Copy !req
754. Always use your knife
immediately, Joyce.Copy !req
755. You see, he's gained the initiative.Copy !req
756. Wait a minute!
I'm terribly sorry, sir.Copy !req
757. - You're sorry?
- So am I, sir.Copy !req
758. - I thought you were the enemy.
- I'm American, if that's what you mean.Copy !req
759. - That'll be all, Joyce.
- Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.Copy !req
760. - What can I do for you, sir?
- I was on my way to see Major Warden.Copy !req
761. I'll show you the way. He'll finish
his lecture any moment now.Copy !req
762. - That's the end of his lecture.
- Thunderous ovation.Copy !req
763. He believes in keeping our training
as close to real life as possible.Copy !req
764. - Major Warden, sir?
- Yes?Copy !req
765. Very good of you to come.Copy !req
766. - I hope they took care of you.
- They certainly have.Copy !req
767. Thank you, staff.
Well, come along, then.Copy !req
768. Colonel Green is looking forward
to meeting you.Copy !req
769. - Fascinating place, isn't it?
- Utterly charming.Copy !req
770. Didn't realise it was
a commando school.Copy !req
771. We're trying to discourage the use of
that word. Such a melodramatic air.Copy !req
772. What do you do here?Copy !req
773. Sabotage, demolition,
that line of country.Copy !req
774. We're using P.E., plastic explosives.
It's wonderful stuff.Copy !req
775. That pop was made
with a lump half this size.Copy !req
776. It's twice as powerful as gelignite
and only half the weight. Here.Copy !req
777. It's quite harmless
until it's detonated.Copy !req
778. It's quite harmless
until it's detonated.Copy !req
779. Thanks for telling me.Copy !req
780. It's completely waterproof
and actually plastic.Copy !req
781. See? You can do
what you like with it.Copy !req
782. This is my place.Copy !req
783. Go ahead.Copy !req
784. Oh, I'm dying for a cup of tea.Copy !req
785. - Would you care for one?
- No, thanks.Copy !req
786. - A drink?
- No, thank you.Copy !req
787. - Pot of tea for one, please, Peter.
- Very good, sir.Copy !req
788. Do you read this?Copy !req
789. Oh, I taught Oriental languages
at Cambridge before the war.Copy !req
790. I never congratulated you
on your escape. It was a good show.Copy !req
791. I was lucky. If your sea-rescue plane
hadn't spotted me, I wouldn't be here.Copy !req
792. No, I suppose not.Copy !req
793. Would you like to see
where you were?Copy !req
794. All right.Copy !req
795. Our information's rather scanty.
It's mostly based on your report.Copy !req
796. Our information's rather scanty.
It's mostly based on your report.Copy !req
797. But we think the camp is about here.Copy !req
798. Say, do your people have any idea
what happened to Colonel Nicholson?Copy !req
799. He had guts. They were about to
shoot him and he didn't bat an eye.Copy !req
800. If you're about to be shot
there's not much you can do.Copy !req
801. Here is the River Kwai, and here is
the village where you were helped.Copy !req
802. And here is the railway.Copy !req
803. But then you must be fairly familiar
with all this area.Copy !req
804. Not really, I was out of my head
half the time.Copy !req
805. The railway starts down here
in Singapore. Malaya...Copy !req
806. Bangkok, Rangoon. Their idea
is to drive on through, into India.Copy !req
807. - Where was I picked up?
- Oh, about here.Copy !req
808. The Japanese aim to open the Bangkok-
Rangoon section by the middle of May.Copy !req
809. Naturally, we'll try to prevent them.Copy !req
810. It's too far for bombers
to carry an adequate load.Copy !req
811. We'll have to go smash it
on the ground.Copy !req
812. - How will you get there?
- Parachute drop, then march.Copy !req
813. With demolition equipment
through that jungle?Copy !req
814. Our chief problem
is lack of firsthand knowledge.Copy !req
815. You see, none of us have
ever been there.Copy !req
816. - I don't want to discourage—
- It should be interesting.Copy !req
817. Colonel Green's given me
the Kwai bridge.Copy !req
818. Colonel Green's given me
the Kwai bridge.Copy !req
819. I'm gonna take a team in
and blow it up.Copy !req
820. Lucky you.Copy !req
821. Sure you won't have tea?Copy !req
822. No, thanks. I don't want to be rude,
but I've got a luncheon date at 2.Copy !req
823. - So if there are any questions...
- Of course, I'm sorry.Copy !req
824. Well, there is only
one question, actually.Copy !req
825. How would you feel
about going back?Copy !req
826. Come again?Copy !req
827. I know, under the circumstances,
it's a bit much...Copy !req
828. but you have a unique
knowledge for our purpose.Copy !req
829. And we'd love to have you with us.Copy !req
830. That's why you brought me here?Copy !req
831. To ask me this?Copy !req
832. Well, frankly, yes.Copy !req
833. Major, I just got out of there.
My escape was a miracle.Copy !req
834. Now you want me to go back?
Don't be ridiculous!Copy !req
835. This is embarrassing—Copy !req
836. I can't go back! I don't belong to you.
I belong to the American Navy.Copy !req
837. Actually, Colonel Green has taken
the matter up with your people.Copy !req
838. Actually, Colonel Green has taken
the matter up with your people.Copy !req
839. - With my people?
- Your Navy's turned you over to us.Copy !req
840. A signal arrived yesterday morning
from your CINC Pacific...Copy !req
841. authorising your temporary transfer
of duty to Force 316.Copy !req
842. - They can't do this to me.
- I'm afraid they have.Copy !req
843. It was difficult to know how
to break it to you.Copy !req
844. But they can't do this to me.
I mean it. My Navy's made a mistake.Copy !req
845. Look. I'm not a Navy commander.
I'm not even an officer.Copy !req
846. The whole thing's a fake. I'm just
an ordinary swab jockey, second class.Copy !req
847. When the Houston sunk, I made
it ashore with a real commander.Copy !req
848. Later on, we ran into
a Japanese patrol. He was killed.Copy !req
849. I figured it was just a matter of time
before I was captured—Copy !req
850. So you changed uniforms
with a dead man.Copy !req
851. I thought officers would get
better treatment.Copy !req
852. That's very sensible.Copy !req
853. But at Saito's camp, the officers
worked along with the rest.Copy !req
854. Yes, there's always the unexpected,
isn't there?Copy !req
855. I kind of got used
to being a commander...Copy !req
856. so when I arrived here
at the hospital...Copy !req
857. I took a look at the enlisted men's
ward and then the officer's ward...Copy !req
858. and I said to myself,
"Let's let it ride along for a while."Copy !req
859. There were certain advantages.Copy !req
860. I saw one of them on the beach.Copy !req
861. Anyway, that's the whole story.Copy !req
862. The point is, you can't use me.
You want an officer...Copy !req
863. an American commander
named Shears who doesn't exist.Copy !req
864. When the Navy learns the truth,
they'll say:Copy !req
865. "Ship him home in irons
for impersonating an officer."Copy !req
866. - Once that happens, I've got it made.
- Got it what?Copy !req
867. - Made. I'd like that drink now.
- Of course.Copy !req
868. I'll apply for a medical discharge.Copy !req
869. I'll tell them
I impersonated an officer...Copy !req
870. because I went off my rocker
in the jungle.Copy !req
871. I'm getting worse, you know.
Sometimes I think I'm Admiral Halsey.Copy !req
872. It's quite a clever plan.Copy !req
873. It's not only clever, it's foolproof.Copy !req
874. If my Navy finds out who I am...Copy !req
875. those temporary orders won't be
worth the paper they're written on.Copy !req
876. This is your photograph, isn't it?Copy !req
877. - Where did you get this?
- It took a bit of doing...Copy !req
878. because your people
couldn't identify you.Copy !req
879. Finally your CINC Pacific
sent us a copy of your service record.Copy !req
880. The photograph, fingerprints.
Would you care to have a look?Copy !req
881. No.Copy !req
882. You see, we've known about
your actual rank for nearly a week.Copy !req
883. Your Navy's in an awkward position.Copy !req
884. In one sense you're a blasted hero...Copy !req
885. for making an escape
from the jungle.Copy !req
886. But at the same time,
they can't bring you home...Copy !req
887. and give you the Navy Cross
for impersonating an officer.Copy !req
888. I suppose that's why they were
so happy to hand you over to us.Copy !req
889. You see?Copy !req
890. Hot potato.Copy !req
891. As far as your present rank
is concerned...Copy !req
892. we're fairly informal
about those things in Force 316.Copy !req
893. You'd have the simulated
rank of major.Copy !req
894. Simulated major. That figures.Copy !req
895. Well...Copy !req
896. As long as I'm hooked,
I might as well volunteer.Copy !req
897. Good show!Copy !req
898. Oh, Colonel Green, sir.Copy !req
899. This is Major Shears. He volunteered
to go and help me blow up the bridge.Copy !req
900. Really?Copy !req
901. Good show!Copy !req
902. Jolly good show, major!Copy !req
903. Get up to sick bay, Baker.
This foot's infected.Copy !req
904. The colonel might think
I'm malingering.Copy !req
905. I'm the medical officer, Baker.
Get cracking.Copy !req
906. Will someone tell me why the old man
wants us to build a proper bridge?Copy !req
907. Don't you worry about old Nick.
He knows what he's doing.Copy !req
908. Hello, Clipton.
About time you paid us a visit.Copy !req
909. Hello, Clipton.
About time you paid us a visit.Copy !req
910. Fine job our chaps are doing.
First-rate.Copy !req
911. Yes. How's he behaving?Copy !req
912. He's been most reasonable
since we took over.Copy !req
913. - I wonder what he's thinking.
- I haven't the foggiest.Copy !req
914. - Thanks, Reeves.
- Right, sir.Copy !req
915. What do you think?Copy !req
916. Quite a challenge, isn't it?Copy !req
917. Sir, are you convinced that
building this bridge is a good idea?Copy !req
918. - Are you serious?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
919. A good idea? Take another look.Copy !req
920. You don't agree morale is high?
Discipline has been restored?Copy !req
921. You don't agree morale is high?
Discipline has been restored?Copy !req
922. Their condition has been improved?Copy !req
923. - Are they a happier lot or aren't they?
- Yes, sir, but—Copy !req
924. They feed better
and they are no longer abused.Copy !req
925. - That's all true.
- Well, then.Copy !req
926. Honestly, Clipton, there are times
when I don't understand you at all.Copy !req
927. I'll try to make myself clear, sir.Copy !req
928. The fact is, what we're doing
could be construed as...Copy !req
929. forgive me, sir,
collaboration with the enemy.Copy !req
930. Perhaps even as
treasonable activity.Copy !req
931. We're prisoners of war.
We haven't the right to refuse to work.Copy !req
932. I understand that, sir.
But must we work so well?Copy !req
933. Must we build them a better bridge
than they could have themselves?Copy !req
934. If you had to operate on Saito,
would you do your best or let him die?Copy !req
935. Would you prefer
we disintegrate in idleness?Copy !req
936. Would you have it said that
our chaps can't do a proper job?Copy !req
937. It's important to show these people
they can't break us in body or in spirit.Copy !req
938. Take a good look, Clipton.Copy !req
939. One day the war will be over.Copy !req
940. I hope that the people who use
this bridge in years to come...Copy !req
941. will remember how it was built,
and who built it.Copy !req
942. Not a gang of slaves, but soldiers.
British soldiers, even in captivity.Copy !req
943. - Yes, sir.
- You're a fine doctor...Copy !req
944. but you've a lot to learn
about the army.Copy !req
945. Hold him! Hold him!Copy !req
946. Use your boot!
Get your boot in there, will you?Copy !req
947. Good morning.Copy !req
948. What on earth
are you people staring at?Copy !req
949. Get on with your jobs!Copy !req
950. Now get him with your boot!Copy !req
951. I'm awfully sorry I'm late, sir.Copy !req
952. Four minutes late, to be exact.
You were in need of medical attention?Copy !req
953. - Sir?
- I was referring to the nurse.Copy !req
954. Oh, yes, very ingenious.
Warden was right.Copy !req
955. Sit down.Copy !req
956. I asked you here to help us pick
the fourth member of your team.Copy !req
957. - Ask Mr. Joyce to come in.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
958. Chapman here wants Joyce,
but I have my doubts about him.Copy !req
959. I think he has too much imagination
as distinct from cold calculation.Copy !req
960. As I've told you before...Copy !req
961. in this job, even when it's finished
there's always one more thing to do.Copy !req
962. He's the best swimmer
in the school, sir.Copy !req
963. I'm well aware of your evaluation.
The opinion I want is Shears'.Copy !req
964. All right, at ease.Copy !req
965. These gentlemen are thinking of
taking you for a hike into the jungle.Copy !req
966. Yes, sir.Copy !req
967. You were an accountant in Montreal?Copy !req
968. Yes, sir.
Not really an accountant, sir.Copy !req
969. That is, I didn't have my charter.Copy !req
970. Exactly what did you do?Copy !req
971. Well, sir, I just checked columns
and columns of figures...Copy !req
972. Well, sir, I just checked columns
and columns of figures...Copy !req
973. which people had checked
before me...Copy !req
974. and then other people checked them
after I had checked them.Copy !req
975. - Sounds a frightful bore.
- Sir, it was a frightful bore.Copy !req
976. How did you happen
to wind up here?Copy !req
977. In '39 I came over to London
to enlist.Copy !req
978. About two years later
I volunteered for this work.Copy !req
979. - You volunteered!
- Yes, sir. See, the regular army—Copy !req
980. Go ahead, you can be frank.Copy !req
981. Well, the regular army reminded me
of my job in civilian life.Copy !req
982. They don't expect you to think.Copy !req
983. Think about this.Copy !req
984. Are you quite sure you'd be able
to use it in cold blood?Copy !req
985. I know how to use it, sir.Copy !req
986. That's not what I meant.
Could you use it in cold blood?Copy !req
987. Could you kill without hesitation?Copy !req
988. That's a question I've often asked
myself, sir. It's worried me quite a bit.Copy !req
989. And what was the answer?Copy !req
990. I don't honestly know, sir.Copy !req
991. I've tried to imagine myself...Copy !req
992. I suppose I find it hard to kid myself
that killing isn't a crime.Copy !req
993. It's an old army problem.Copy !req
994. Well, I think that's all.
Thank you, Joyce.Copy !req
995. Am I to go with the team, sir?Copy !req
996. We'll let you know.Copy !req
997. You see what I mean.Copy !req
998. Well, at least he was honest.Copy !req
999. None of us ever know the answer to
that question until the moment arises.Copy !req
1000. What's your opinion, Shears?Copy !req
1001. Well, sir, he's Canadian.Copy !req
1002. And that's in keeping with the
international composition of this outfit.Copy !req
1003. If he wants to go,
he can even take my place.Copy !req
1004. Well, if you're all agreed on Joyce,
he's yours.Copy !req
1005. I had a report from air reconnaissance
on that village.Copy !req
1006. There's sufficient clearing
to make your jump at last light.Copy !req
1007. - You've had parachute training?
- No, sir.Copy !req
1008. Blast. This is awkward.Copy !req
1009. Silly, it never occurred to me.Copy !req
1010. Well, maybe—Copy !req
1011. He's right.
Arrange some practice jumps for him.Copy !req
1012. I'll pop over
and check right away.Copy !req
1013. - All right, Chapman, you can run along.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
1014. Well, feel like a sniff of air?Copy !req
1015. Yes, sir.Copy !req
1016. You don't realise what a plum
you are for us.Copy !req
1017. Your knowledge of the area,
making friends in that village.Copy !req
1018. It's almost as if your whole escape
had been planned with us in mind.Copy !req
1019. By the way, here's something
that'll interest you. The new I pill.Copy !req
1020. - I pill?
- I for lethal. Instantaneous, painless.Copy !req
1021. Much better than the old ones.
For capture, of course.Copy !req
1022. You're telling me
not to be taken alive.Copy !req
1023. I wouldn't recommend it.Copy !req
1024. If any of you get hurt or wounded the
others will have to leave him behind.Copy !req
1025. The objective comes first
in our work.Copy !req
1026. You want my honest evaluation
of this team?Copy !req
1027. I didn't want to speak out
in front of them.Copy !req
1028. I understand, go ahead.Copy !req
1029. Well, Chapman will be fine.
Ice water in his veins.Copy !req
1030. Joyce is... He'll be okay.Copy !req
1031. - It's Warden I don't get.
- Oh, why not?Copy !req
1032. Cambridge don and all of that.Copy !req
1033. It's one thing to play with explosives
like a kid with firecrackers—Copy !req
1034. He's not without experience,
you know.Copy !req
1035. When we lost Singapore, he stayed
behind to blow up a couple of bridges.Copy !req
1036. And many other installations
before the Japs caught him.Copy !req
1037. - Caught him?
- Yes.Copy !req
1038. - Fascinating story. He—
- Sir, it's most annoying.Copy !req
1039. In view of time, they don't think
practice jumps would be worthwhile.Copy !req
1040. - No?
- If you make one jump...Copy !req
1041. you've only got 50 percent
chance of injury.Copy !req
1042. Two jumps, 80 percent. Three jumps,
you're bound to get your packet.Copy !req
1043. The consensus is, the most sensible
thing for Major Shears to do...Copy !req
1044. is to go ahead and jump
and hope for the best.Copy !req
1045. With or without parachute?Copy !req
1046. Oh, very good!Copy !req
1047. With or without!Copy !req
1048. He's in the trees!Copy !req
1049. Yai says we can't reach
the Kwai by the route you took.Copy !req
1050. There are too many Japanese patrols.
We'll swing north through heavy jungle.Copy !req
1051. - Who's gonna lead the way?
- Yai himself.Copy !req
1052. He hates the Japanese.
They took all his men.Copy !req
1053. Which means we shall have to
use women bearers.Copy !req
1054. - Women bearers.
- They're very capable, I'm told.Copy !req
1055. He says it's dangerous
to spend the night in the village.Copy !req
1056. There's an enemy post three miles away
so we'll have to sleep in the jungle.Copy !req
1057. - What about Chapman?
- Yai will bury him and his chute.Copy !req
1058. Is there something wrong?Copy !req
1059. I was just thinking.
You speak Yai's language. I don't.Copy !req
1060. He's gonna lead you back to the river
by a route I never took.Copy !req
1061. Will someone tell me why
I'm so indispensable to this outfit?Copy !req
1062. I know how you feel, but there's
always the unexpected, isn't there?Copy !req
1063. Tell that to Chapman.Copy !req
1064. Let's get cracking.Copy !req
1065. You're lovely.Copy !req
1066. Lovely.Copy !req
1067. Be happy in your work.Copy !req
1068. Yes, sir.Copy !req
1069. Leeches.Copy !req
1070. Leeches.Copy !req
1071. She's telling you to hold still.
She'll take the leeches off your back.Copy !req
1072. What's a nice girl like you
doing in a place like this?Copy !req
1073. I'll teach you to say that in Siamese.Copy !req
1074. No, that would spoil it.
Too much talk always spoils it.Copy !req
1075. What's wrong with that thing?Copy !req
1076. It's taken an awful beating.
I can't get a strong signal.Copy !req
1077. I'll tell you what's wrong.Copy !req
1078. It's wet, mildewed, corroded, rotten.
Like everything else in this jungle.Copy !req
1079. You might as well dump it!Copy !req
1080. This is Radio Tokyo signing off.Copy !req
1081. This is your friendliest enemy
reminding you to take it easy...Copy !req
1082. and never volunteer for anything.Copy !req
1083. If we stay, we'll be up to our necks.Copy !req
1084. - I've got it all decoded, sir.
- Read it.Copy !req
1085. Yes, sir. "One, original
bridge works reported abandoned.Copy !req
1086. Yes, sir. "One, original
bridge works reported abandoned.Copy !req
1087. New construction downstream
from first site.Copy !req
1088. Two, enemy intends to open railway
with passage of special train...Copy !req
1089. Bangkok for Rangoon
with troops and V.I.P.Copy !req
1090. Estimated to arrive target, a.m. 13th.Copy !req
1091. Three, synchronize demolition
with passage this train.Copy !req
1092. Four, good hunting. Have fun."
That's all, sir.Copy !req
1093. A train and a bridge!Copy !req
1094. Yes, sir.
Can we get there in time, sir?Copy !req
1095. Yai says we're two to three days'
march from the Kwai.Copy !req
1096. If we set a faster pace, we could
make it before sundown on the 12th.Copy !req
1097. It's worth it for the train.Copy !req
1098. Oh, by all means. Good hunting.
Good show.Copy !req
1099. Jolly good fun. Jolly, jolly good.Copy !req
1100. If you hadn't fixed the radio,
we wouldn't know about the train.Copy !req
1101. Well, there's always the unexpected,
isn't there?Copy !req
1102. Heave!Copy !req
1103. Heave! Heave!Copy !req
1104. - Half a pint, sir.
- Quinine.Copy !req
1105. Well, we'll complete this later.Copy !req
1106. - Clipton, we're facing a crisis.
- Yes, sir?Copy !req
1107. I spoke with Reeves and Hughes.
We won't finish the bridge on time.Copy !req
1108. We just haven't the manpower.Copy !req
1109. I've asked the officers to lend a hand,
but even that won't do it.Copy !req
1110. The officers are going to work?Copy !req
1111. I explained the situation and they
volunteered, but it's not enough.Copy !req
1112. Why not ask Saito
for some of his men?Copy !req
1113. This is our show. We must
make the most of our resources.Copy !req
1114. That's what I came to talk
to you about. The sick list.Copy !req
1115. There's not a man in this hospital
who doesn't belong there.Copy !req
1116. Don't jump to conclusions.
No reflection on you...Copy !req
1117. but there are always
a few malingerers.Copy !req
1118. Be honest. Keep an open mind
is all I ask.Copy !req
1119. Come along, let's see.Copy !req
1120. Don't move, don't move.Copy !req
1121. What's the matter with Haskins?Copy !req
1122. He's got amoebic dysentery and
blackwater fever. Temperature of 104.Copy !req
1123. Right. I see.Copy !req
1124. And this man?Copy !req
1125. Leg ulcers. I may be able to save
the leg if I do more cutting tonight.Copy !req
1126. Really want to send him
out to work, sir?Copy !req
1127. Don't talk rot, Clipton.Copy !req
1128. - And that man there?
- His arm's infected.Copy !req
1129. Most of their wounds
won't heal properly.Copy !req
1130. I wonder, in his case,
if fresh air and light duties...Copy !req
1131. might do more good
than being cooped up.Copy !req
1132. - Light duties?
- It's not our policy to keep a man...Copy !req
1133. - ... just because he scratched his arm.
- Not our policy?Copy !req
1134. Well, is it?Copy !req
1135. A man may not be on top of his form,
but he can still make himself useful.Copy !req
1136. Trimmings and finishing jobs.
Stand easy, Baker.Copy !req
1137. Tell me, you feel up to doing
a little light work on the bridge?Copy !req
1138. - Anything you say, sir.
- Good show.Copy !req
1139. What about you? Nothing difficult.Copy !req
1140. - I'll try, sir.
- Good man.Copy !req
1141. Now, look here, men. It goes
without saying I'm proud of all of you.Copy !req
1142. Now, look here, men. It goes
without saying I'm proud of all of you.Copy !req
1143. But we're facing a crisis.
For those of you who feel up to it...Copy !req
1144. how about lending us a hand?
Fetch and carry, paint here and there?Copy !req
1145. What do you say?Copy !req
1146. - Yes, sir.
- Good show. Come on, follow me.Copy !req
1147. Ten minutes.Copy !req
1148. Make sure they're all dead.Copy !req
1149. Come on, Joyce.Copy !req
1150. Use your knife, man,
or we'll be shooting each other.Copy !req
1151. Go that way, Joyce.Copy !req
1152. I could have done it. I was ready.Copy !req
1153. Are you hit, sir?Copy !req
1154. Let's go.Copy !req
1155. It's superficial. Maybe a chipped bone,
but there's nothing broken.Copy !req
1156. - It's my fault, sir.
- Oh, shut up, Joyce.Copy !req
1157. I can walk on it.
That's all that counts.Copy !req
1158. Yeah, but how far and how fast?Copy !req
1159. We won't know that
till I've tried it, will we?Copy !req
1160. What are you doing?Copy !req
1161. I didn't give orders for a halt.Copy !req
1162. We all need it.Copy !req
1163. We're still five hours' fast march
from the objective.Copy !req
1164. Maybe six.Copy !req
1165. Come on.Copy !req
1166. You keep walking on that foot,
you'll bleed to death.Copy !req
1167. Yeah.Copy !req
1168. - You're gonna leave me here.
- If you stop, we stop.Copy !req
1169. You can't study the layout
of the bridge after dark.Copy !req
1170. You've got to get there
before sundown.Copy !req
1171. But, sir, when the job's done, who
knows if we can return by this route...Copy !req
1172. or whether we could find you
if we did?Copy !req
1173. If you were me, I wouldn't hesitate
to leave you and you know that.Copy !req
1174. He doesn't know it, but I do.Copy !req
1175. You'd leave your own mother here
if the rules called for it.Copy !req
1176. You'll go on without me.
That's an order.Copy !req
1177. You're in command now, Shears.Copy !req
1178. I won't obey that order.Copy !req
1179. You make me sick with your heroics.Copy !req
1180. You carry the stench of death
like the plague.Copy !req
1181. Explosives and I pills
go well together.Copy !req
1182. It's one thing or the other.
Destroy a bridge or destroy yourself.Copy !req
1183. This is just a game, this war.Copy !req
1184. You and that Colonel Nicholson,
you're crazy with courage. For what?Copy !req
1185. How to die like a gentleman,
how to die by the rules...Copy !req
1186. when the only important thing
is how to live like a human being!Copy !req
1187. I'm not gonna leave you
here to die, Warden...Copy !req
1188. because I don't care about
your bridge or about your rules.Copy !req
1189. If we go on, we go on together.Copy !req
1190. Good old Yai.Copy !req
1191. I'm all right.Copy !req
1192. Come on.Copy !req
1193. Let's get closer.Copy !req
1194. Still sorry we brought you along?Copy !req
1195. - Feeling better?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1196. You're in command again now,
you know.Copy !req
1197. Thank you, major.Copy !req
1198. I can't understand it.
It's such a solid, well-designed job.Copy !req
1199. Not like the bridges
the enemy usually throws together.Copy !req
1200. Look.Copy !req
1201. Those poor devils down there.Copy !req
1202. Imagine being forced to build that
in the condition they must be in.Copy !req
1203. They've got a British officer
working on his knees.Copy !req
1204. The Japanese seem
to be enjoying it too.Copy !req
1205. If he knew we were here,
it might boost his morale a little.Copy !req
1206. If not for the train, we could
set a time fuse and be miles away.Copy !req
1207. Since we don't know
what time it'll cross tomorrow...Copy !req
1208. we'll have to do the job manually.Copy !req
1209. We'll set the charges
against the piles...Copy !req
1210. about three feet under the water,
I should think...Copy !req
1211. and run the main wire
downstream to the plunger.Copy !req
1212. The problem is where to hide it.Copy !req
1213. Our side of the river is quite
obviously used by the Japanese.Copy !req
1214. They'd spot it at once.Copy !req
1215. Look. Do you see
those fallen tree trunks?Copy !req
1216. And the grey rock just below them
on that little beach?Copy !req
1217. - Yes, sir, I see them.
- That's our key position.Copy !req
1218. It's on the wrong side of the river...Copy !req
1219. but it's the only hiding place
within feasible distance.Copy !req
1220. As soon as the bridge goes up...Copy !req
1221. whoever's there
will have to swim back.Copy !req
1222. It's not likely to be a pleasant swim.Copy !req
1223. Sir, I was the best swimmer
in my course.Copy !req
1224. Yeah.Copy !req
1225. It looks like
your line of country, then.Copy !req
1226. Thank you, sir.Copy !req
1227. Shears, pick a spot on our side
of the bank where you can cover Joyce.Copy !req
1228. Yai will be with you
so you can occupy the Nips...Copy !req
1229. - ... if they make any trouble for Joyce.
- Right.Copy !req
1230. On the theory that
there's always one more thing...Copy !req
1231. I'll set up the mortar here
to create an additional diversion.Copy !req
1232. Perhaps I might even take
a few potshots at the train.Copy !req
1233. All clear?Copy !req
1234. Any questions?
Right, we'll start as soon as it's dark.Copy !req
1235. They're sure to have
sentries on the bridge...Copy !req
1236. so you'll have to float
the stuff down from upriver...Copy !req
1237. which means building a raft.Copy !req
1238. Yai.Copy !req
1239. Yai will take three women
to help you build the raft.Copy !req
1240. One will stay here with me.
All right, now get cracking.Copy !req
1241. Shears.Copy !req
1242. You know, if it wasn't for my ankle,
I'd take Joyce's assignment.Copy !req
1243. I know.Copy !req
1244. You think he'll be all right?Copy !req
1245. I think so. Want me to handle it?Copy !req
1246. I'd let you stay up here
with the mortar if I could.Copy !req
1247. I'm sorry.Copy !req
1248. When it's over, I hope you get
that medical discharge...Copy !req
1249. and not the hard way.Copy !req
1250. Thanks.Copy !req
1251. Load.Copy !req
1252. Beautiful.Copy !req
1253. Yes, beautiful.Copy !req
1254. A first-rate job.Copy !req
1255. I had no idea it would
turn out so well.Copy !req
1256. Yes.Copy !req
1257. A beautiful creation.Copy !req
1258. I've been thinking.Copy !req
1259. Tomorrow it will be 28 years to
the day that I've been in the service.Copy !req
1260. Twenty-eight years in peace and war.Copy !req
1261. I haven't been at home more
than 10 months in all that time.Copy !req
1262. Still, it's been a good life.Copy !req
1263. I love India.Copy !req
1264. I wouldn't have had it any other way.Copy !req
1265. But there are times...Copy !req
1266. when suddenly you realise you are
nearer the end than the beginning.Copy !req
1267. And you wonder...Copy !req
1268. You ask yourself...Copy !req
1269. what the sum total
of your life represents...Copy !req
1270. what difference your being there
at any time made to anything...Copy !req
1271. or if it made any difference
at all, really.Copy !req
1272. Particularly in comparison
with other men's careers.Copy !req
1273. I don't know whether that
kind of thinking's healthy...Copy !req
1274. but I must admit I've had
some thoughts on those lines...Copy !req
1275. from time to time.Copy !req
1276. But tonight...Copy !req
1277. Tonight...Copy !req
1278. Blast.Copy !req
1279. I must be off.Copy !req
1280. The men are preparing
some sort of entertainment.Copy !req
1281. Lovely.Copy !req
1282. I'm sure I speak for all of us...Copy !req
1283. when I say this has been
a most enjoyable evening.Copy !req
1284. As you know,
most of you move on tomorrow...Copy !req
1285. to a new camp
and new construction.Copy !req
1286. It's a pity you won't be here to see
the first practical use of this bridge.Copy !req
1287. However, you'll be glad to know
that the completion...Copy !req
1288. of this link in the railway...Copy !req
1289. will enable us to transport
the sick and disabled...Copy !req
1290. to the new camp by train.Copy !req
1291. Colonel Saito has kindly
permitted me to stay behind...Copy !req
1292. with Major Clipton
and the sick men...Copy !req
1293. and we'll rejoin you
in a few days' time.Copy !req
1294. Now that your work here
is finished...Copy !req
1295. I suppose many of you
feel somewhat let down.Copy !req
1296. That's quite understandable.Copy !req
1297. It's a very natural reaction.Copy !req
1298. But one day, in a week,
a month, a year...Copy !req
1299. on that day when, God willing,
we all return to our homes again...Copy !req
1300. you're going to feel very proud
of what you have achieved here...Copy !req
1301. in the face of great adversity.Copy !req
1302. What you have done should be...Copy !req
1303. and I think will be...Copy !req
1304. an example to all our countrymen,
soldier and civilian alike.Copy !req
1305. You have survived with honour.Copy !req
1306. That, and more.Copy !req
1307. Here in the wilderness...Copy !req
1308. you have turned defeat
into victory.Copy !req
1309. I congratulate you.Copy !req
1310. Well done.Copy !req
1311. To the king.Copy !req
1312. And you're in business.Copy !req
1313. Now, you got everything? Sten,
ammunition, pack, canteen, knife.Copy !req
1314. Yes.Copy !req
1315. I'll be directly across the river.Copy !req
1316. The professor says there's
always one more thing to do.Copy !req
1317. I can't think of what it could be.Copy !req
1318. Except to wish you
a long and happy life.Copy !req
1319. Thank you.Copy !req
1320. What's happened?Copy !req
1321. The river's gone down.Copy !req
1322. You can see the wire.Copy !req
1323. The charges!Copy !req
1324. Don't wait for the train.Copy !req
1325. Do it now!Copy !req
1326. If Saito is correct, the train
should be along in five or 10 minutes.Copy !req
1327. If you don't mind,
I'll watch from up on the hill.Copy !req
1328. Why? You'll get a better view
from the bridge.Copy !req
1329. It's hard to explain, sir.
I'd rather not be a part of it.Copy !req
1330. As you please. Honestly, sometimes
I don't understand you at all.Copy !req
1331. Well, as you once said, sir,
I've got a lot to learn about the army.Copy !req
1332. Good morning.Copy !req
1333. River's gone down in the night.Copy !req
1334. What's he doing?Copy !req
1335. Colonel, there's something
rather odd going on.Copy !req
1336. I think we better have a look around
before that train comes across.Copy !req
1337. He's gone mad.Copy !req
1338. He's leading him right to it.Copy !req
1339. Our own man!Copy !req
1340. I was right.
There is something going on.Copy !req
1341. You've got to do it, boy.
You've got to do it now.Copy !req
1342. Colonel, have you a knife? I've just
realised the bridge has been mined.Copy !req
1343. Mined?Copy !req
1344. Good boy!Copy !req
1345. Good boy!Copy !req
1346. Officer, sir. British officer.
Here to blow up the bridge.Copy !req
1347. - Blow up the bridge?
- Yes, sir. British commando orders.Copy !req
1348. - Blow up the bridge?
- Yes, sir. There's no time!Copy !req
1349. No, no! Help!Copy !req
1350. Help!Copy !req
1351. Kill him! Kill him!Copy !req
1352. Let me go, sir!
You don't understand, sir!Copy !req
1353. Kill him! Kill him!Copy !req
1354. Help!Copy !req
1355. Kill him, Joyce! Kill him!Copy !req
1356. You!Copy !req
1357. You!Copy !req
1358. What have I done?Copy !req
1359. Madness.Copy !req
1360. I had to do it.Copy !req
1361. I had to do it.
They might have been captured alive.Copy !req
1362. It was the only thing to do!Copy !req
1363. Madness.Copy !req
1364. Madness.
8:43,931 —> 02:38:45,932
It was the only thing to do!Copy !req
1365. Madness.Copy !req
1366. Madness.Copy !req