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The Bridge on the River Kwai

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Epic of WWII honor and sacrifice gone haywire.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    There is nobility in most of the characters -- too much so, one can even argue, since it twists their loyalties and dedication, as Nicholson is so devoted to rigid ideals of military loyalty, discipline, and obedience he practically ends up working for his country's enemy. Another officer kills his own men rather than risk the likelihood of their being captured. The American soldier Shears, though a rogue and an impersonator, seems to be one protagonist who can see most clearly through the absurdity and the horror. It's mostly a male-oriented show, except for some Siamese girl freedom fighters on the margins. "Japs" is used to refer to Japanese, as it was in a derogatory way back then.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Soldiers are stabbed at close range (and shot to death, generally at long range), with explosions near the end and a high casualty list.

  • Sex:

    Some flirting with sarong-clad Siamese girls and western ladies in demure one-piece bathing suits. During a POW camp entertainment, men cross-dress as women (which was very routine in such circumstances).

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    None, though there is a book tie-in.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Social drinking, and soldierly smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Bridge on the River Kwai

Parents need to know that students assigned to read the Pierre Boulle novel in school might try to watch this film instead. (Come on, it's a short book, no cheating!) That aside, there's ample wartime violence in this movie, with characters stabbed or shot to death, and the body count of the main characters is tragically high in the end. The now-taboo, once-common term "Japs" is used to refer to Japanese. Unrated on its original release, the restored version carries a PG.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the irony of the story, with upright military commanders working for the enemy to pull off a stupendous feat because of principles of "honor." What should have been done differently? Could it happen today? Which characters are the most (or least) admirable? Are there any real villains in the story? Would you say this is a pro-military movie or an anti-war one? Kids might want to research more historical facts, the real-life story of the Kwai bridge, and the Allied (and British) experience in the WWII jungles of the Far East.
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    who3697cares
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Even if it has a lot of trouble saying whatever message it has about honor and doing your duty, it's not boring for a second, it's well-acted, and brilliant in parts. Alec deserved his Oscar.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    BestPictureSeeke ...
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Epic and Honorable

    This movie defines what it means to honor someone and how far that can go. It's very noble, and is not a war movie to be missed. Another thing I liked about it was that it's centerpoint wasn't strategizing things and blowing tanks up.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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