tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379353038189641208.post199454291386177755..comments2024-01-03T02:22:23.394-05:00Comments on Cinephiliaque: The Bridge on the River KwaiMPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366182655374603950noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379353038189641208.post-32402402458080503452011-05-26T20:56:58.968-04:002011-05-26T20:56:58.968-04:00I've already done the same thing for your blog...I've already done the same thing for your blog! Glad you enjoy mine.<br />Thanks for spreading the word!MPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08366182655374603950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379353038189641208.post-50463660099624098262011-05-25T20:44:13.618-04:002011-05-25T20:44:13.618-04:00Fair enough. I like several of the films you list ...Fair enough. I like several of the films you list better than Kwai, however I'm not going to quibble over the Academy's selection.<br /><br />Thanks for your comments. I've enjoyed what I've read of your blog and I'll definitely link to it. Cheers!Groggy Dundeehttp://nothingiswrittenfilm.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379353038189641208.post-67533634200290841082011-05-25T20:22:38.219-04:002011-05-25T20:22:38.219-04:00Thanks for your comment it's much apreciated!
...Thanks for your comment it's much apreciated!<br /><br />I know I was strong on the criticism with The Bridge on the River Kwai but when a film wins seven Oscars it deserves to be judged as one of the greatest films of all time. My comment is, that in 1957, it was the year we saw 12 Angry Men, Wild Straberries, The Seventh Seal, Mon Oncle, Nights of Cabiria, Throne of Blood, Paths of Glory, The Cranes are Flying, and Sweet Smell of Success. All these films had great souls. I don't think that The Bridge on the River Kwai is the best film of 1957, a year that the titles above proved to be a very rich year.<br />Anyway, it's far from being a bad film but put in context you have the result of my review...<br /><br />I like your Blog, it's interesting and I like its selection of films!MPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08366182655374603950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379353038189641208.post-88889192208537630422011-05-24T22:36:44.011-04:002011-05-24T22:36:44.011-04:00I think a "lack of soul" is just about t...I think a "lack of soul" is just about the last thing you could accuse Lean of. He's probably the only director of epics who can mix character so well with a huge scope. Lean wasn't an experimental filmmaker but he was quite extraordinary at what he did. Unless you have a different definition of "soul" than myself, this seems a bizarre comment.<br /><br />I understand most of your criticisms, and agree with a few. It's very hard to take Kwai seriously on a realistic level, but then I don't think it's meant to be realistic. On the other hand, I strongly disagree about the "stereotyped" characters (especially Saito); here Lean and his writers vastly improve on the source novel and provide a well-rounded central cast. <br /><br />The Grand Illusion comparison isn't especially apt as Gabin and Stroheim are never really at odds in that film, and the balance of that film is preoccupied with the two goofy enlisted men.<br /><br />Anyway, I think Kwai is an excellent film, if not as grand as Lawrence of Arabia.Groggy Dundeehttp://nothingiswrittenfilm.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com