The Bridge on the River Kwai Page #4

Those prisoners who tried to escape,

they were in your charge.

I knew nothing about the escape.

It does not matter.

One must respect those who tried.

For a brief moment,

between escape and death...

...they were soldiers again.

But it is insane to try and escape.

Two soldiers shot

and the third drowned.

To what end?

It was an escape from reality.

There is your reality.

This shows the position work

should have reached by noon today.

And this shows the position

of actual progress.

Because of your colonel's stubbornness,

we are far behind schedule.

That is not all.

Enlisted prisoners sabotaged the work.

Yes, I have seen it.

I could have them all shot.

Then who would build your bridge?

Besides, are you sure it's sabotage?

The men don't work well

without their own officers.

My officers will direct them.

Your officers will work beside them.

That's for Nicholson to decide.

As he said,

it's against the rules.

Do not speak to me of rules.

This is war!

This is not a game of cricket.

He's mad, your colonel...

...quite mad.

Sit down, please.

I have decided to allow you

one visit to your colonel.

Thank you.

Tell him that if his officers

will not work...

...I'll be forced

to close the hospital...

...and your patients will

work in their place.

Many will die,

and he will be responsible.

Go and speak to him.

You have five minutes.

Doc's going to see the old man.

Sir...

It's Clipton, sir.

I brought you a few things.

- How are the men?

- Fine, sir, fine.

We scraped together a little meat

and a coconut.

And the officers?

Not so good.

They're still in detention.

And Lieutenant Jennings...

Jennings is dead.

- What?

- Killed, attempting to escape.

Also two others,

Corporal Weaver and the American.

Jennings. Poor, brave lad.

I warned him, didn't I, Clipton?

Look, sir, we haven't much time.

I'm going to clean you up a little

while I talk.

I've got something to tell you.

I've just had a word with Saito.

That man is the worst commanding

officer I've ever come across.

Actually, I think he's mad.

Carry on.

Blackmail!

I know, sir, but he means it.

I'm sure he does.

It's a question of face, pure and

simple. And he can't give in.

It's still blackmail.

Sir, you can't stand

much more of this.

Wouldn't the officers be better off

working than suffocating in that hole?

The men are doing a wonderful job.

They're going as slow as they dare.

But Saito's cut their food rations...

...and if he makes

the sick men work...

Well, they're going to die.

That's all there is to it.

Yes, Clipton, I understand. Truly.

But don't you see?

It's a matter of principle.

If we give in now,

there'll be no end to it. No.

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