IMDb RATING
4.9/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
A group of war prisoners from the Kwai bridge building camp undertake a harsh journey to Japan.A group of war prisoners from the Kwai bridge building camp undertake a harsh journey to Japan.A group of war prisoners from the Kwai bridge building camp undertake a harsh journey to Japan.
Chris Penn
- Lieutenant Crawford
- (as Christopher Penn)
Featured reviews
When Listing a full cast for this movie, why is it that you missed NIGEL WILLIAMS Listed works on this one movie, STAND IN for :- CHRIS PENN, DENHOLM ELLIOT, EDWARD FOX Stunts for :- CHRIS PENN Second Unit Assistant:- Phillipines Parts played: POW Screaming Soldier Father Family walking
Yes I am Nigel and would like too see some credit; If proof is needed I have the autographed script, photographs and yes you can contact ALL the stars.. My family attended a picnic with G Takei, my youngest daughter still refers to him as "Uncle George".
I have not seen the completed movie because it has not been released here in the US. I would like advice on getting a USA compatible copy!!
Yes I am Nigel and would like too see some credit; If proof is needed I have the autographed script, photographs and yes you can contact ALL the stars.. My family attended a picnic with G Takei, my youngest daughter still refers to him as "Uncle George".
I have not seen the completed movie because it has not been released here in the US. I would like advice on getting a USA compatible copy!!
"Return from the River Kwai" is a war movie that abuses of bad clichés and is disrespectful with films such as "The Bridge on the River Kwai" or "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence". The unrealistic story shows, for example, an American pilot with problem on the shoulder that is capable to climb, flee from a prisoner of war camp using a rope made from clothes or roll over the wing of a Japanese airplane. Another example is the soldier that spits blood on the face of a cruel Japanese lieutenant and is surprised when he takes his saber to decapitate him, recalling "Hogan's Heroes". The story is awful and a waste of time. My vote is three.
Title (Brazil): "Regresso do Rio Kwai" ("Return from the River Kwai")
Title (Brazil): "Regresso do Rio Kwai" ("Return from the River Kwai")
Contrary to the views expressed by several reviewers that this was an unnecessary movie that was cashing-in on the success of the original Bridge on the River Kwai movie, it is in fact very relevant in its association with the 'Death-Railway' project. It relates the true story of many of the survivors of the camps and of the tragedies that continued to afflict them. Especially tragic that they suffer further at the hands of what is now referred to as 'friendly fire'. The movie may be cheap and drawn out, but the story is worthy of being told. The battle of Singapore might not be a story that the allies might be proud of but the brave people who served in that theatre deserve to have their story told. Brave men all.
A very average little war movie with no relation to the original "Bridge on the River Kwai" other than in name and a brief bit at the start. It's just a pure latter-day cash-in on the name of the original in fact.
The cinematography is decent and the colours are very good. A few sparklies are evident in the very dark scenes but with a decent sound free from any unwanted hiss or crackle the overall quality is pretty good.
As a bonus I found a few nice pseudo-surround effects using my Yamaha digital sound projector so I can't complain about anything other than the story.
Oh it's not quite family viewing by the way, containing as it does a few "bastards" and one "piss off" (for which the orator was beheaded with a sword by the Japanese officer to whom the remark was addressed).
My aged parents with whom I watched it on one of their weekly visits were not impressed though I thought it was an absolute hoot.
I nearly forgot to mention that there is a serious anomaly about 47 minutes into the film (which I'll submit for inclusion on the database).
The POWs are travelling by a rather ancient and decrepit train along a single-track equally decrepit jungle railway to their destination, housed in horrid old wooden box-car like trucks. At this mid-point we see a view of the train with colourful contemporary main-line passenger coaches, which look rather nice and comfortable and are certainly not made of wood. The film then reverts to the wooden box cars.
The cinematography is decent and the colours are very good. A few sparklies are evident in the very dark scenes but with a decent sound free from any unwanted hiss or crackle the overall quality is pretty good.
As a bonus I found a few nice pseudo-surround effects using my Yamaha digital sound projector so I can't complain about anything other than the story.
Oh it's not quite family viewing by the way, containing as it does a few "bastards" and one "piss off" (for which the orator was beheaded with a sword by the Japanese officer to whom the remark was addressed).
My aged parents with whom I watched it on one of their weekly visits were not impressed though I thought it was an absolute hoot.
I nearly forgot to mention that there is a serious anomaly about 47 minutes into the film (which I'll submit for inclusion on the database).
The POWs are travelling by a rather ancient and decrepit train along a single-track equally decrepit jungle railway to their destination, housed in horrid old wooden box-car like trucks. At this mid-point we see a view of the train with colourful contemporary main-line passenger coaches, which look rather nice and comfortable and are certainly not made of wood. The film then reverts to the wooden box cars.
Though a far cry from the David Lean classic, I thought this film offered reasonable entertainment for anyone with a passing interest in war films. Admittedly, there is not a great deal to say critically in the film's favour, but I think the current voter average is a little too harsh.
The film does suffer from a large dollop of poor acting, a sometimes inane and amateurish script, and often allows itself to become bogged down in clichés. The stilted and often unimaginative direction makes the film seem like a television show. However, at times the director allows the film to shine with some snappy and economical moments. The music is by the great Lalo Schifrin, and though not one of his best works (a little too simplistic and drenched in military cliché) it is quite catchy. But the special effects are too lacklustre to make the action sequences truly exciting.
However, Return from the River Kwai does have at least an interesting premise, and a decent screenplay which helps carry the story well. The on location shooting makes the settings look authentic, and the costumes are fairly decent. The film offers more than enough thrills and spills to keep you amused on a rainy afternoon. And of course it is great to see the always dependable George Takei and Edward Fox, as well as the lovable, late-great, Denholm Elliot on screen.
By no stretch a great movie, but one I am content to pass the time with. I do wish that television stations would program a movie like this for a daytime matinée instead of that made-for-television rubbish about some murderer in Mid-West America. Return from the River Kwai is a much better effort than those kind of movies, and it offers good, simple, lunchtime fare. At least a 5/10.
The film does suffer from a large dollop of poor acting, a sometimes inane and amateurish script, and often allows itself to become bogged down in clichés. The stilted and often unimaginative direction makes the film seem like a television show. However, at times the director allows the film to shine with some snappy and economical moments. The music is by the great Lalo Schifrin, and though not one of his best works (a little too simplistic and drenched in military cliché) it is quite catchy. But the special effects are too lacklustre to make the action sequences truly exciting.
However, Return from the River Kwai does have at least an interesting premise, and a decent screenplay which helps carry the story well. The on location shooting makes the settings look authentic, and the costumes are fairly decent. The film offers more than enough thrills and spills to keep you amused on a rainy afternoon. And of course it is great to see the always dependable George Takei and Edward Fox, as well as the lovable, late-great, Denholm Elliot on screen.
By no stretch a great movie, but one I am content to pass the time with. I do wish that television stations would program a movie like this for a daytime matinée instead of that made-for-television rubbish about some murderer in Mid-West America. Return from the River Kwai is a much better effort than those kind of movies, and it offers good, simple, lunchtime fare. At least a 5/10.
Did you know
- TriviaThis film was not released in the USA in cinemas because of legal reasons.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Chris Penn - Second to None Biography (2024)
- SoundtracksWaltzing Matilda
Lyrics of "Waltzing Matilda" by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson (as A.B. Paterson) © Retusa Pty Ltd
Original music by Christina McPherson (uncredited), revised music by Marie Cowan
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Return from the River Kwai
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $15,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 1h 41m(101 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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