The film « The Bridge on the River Kwai » dramatized the WWII story of the Thailand-Burma Railway, yet it was largely fictional. Over 65,000 Allied P.O.W.s battled torture, starvation, and disease to hack the 255-mile railway out of harsh jungle for the Japanese.
During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 civilians also died in the course of the project, chiefly forced labour brought from Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, or conscripted in Siam (Thailand) and Burma.
What is the true story of the Bridge on the River Kwai?
The real bridge on the River Kwai was never destroyed, not even damaged. It still stands on the edge of the Thai jungle about three miles from this peaceful town and it has become something of a tourist attraction. The bridge was erected by Allied pris oners during the Japanese occupation of Thailand in World War II.Dec 17, 1972
Is the bridge over the River Kwai based on a true story?
Col. Shears (Alec Guinness) in The Bridge on the River Kwai. [The film’s story was loosely based on a true World War II incident, and the real-life character of Lieutenant Colonel Philip Toosey.
Where is the real bridge over the River Kwai?
The Bridge on the River Kwai, commonly referred to as the Railroad of Death or Death Railway, which stands in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, was one of only eight steel bridges of the estimated 688 that were built.
What is the true story of the bridge over the River Kwai?
The film « The Bridge on the River Kwai » dramatized the WWII story of the Thailand-Burma Railway, yet it was largely fictional. Over 65,000 Allied P.O.W.s battled torture, starvation, and disease to hack the 255-mile railway out of harsh jungle for the Japanese.
Where is the bridge over River Kwai located?
Kanchanaburi province
How true is the film Bridge Over the River Kwai?
The destruction of the bridge as depicted in the film is also entirely fictional. In fact, two bridges were built: a temporary wooden bridge and a permanent steel/concrete bridge a few months later. Both bridges were used for two years, until they were destroyed by Allied bombing.
What happened to the original bridge over the River Kwai?
The real bridge on the River Kwai was never destroyed, not even damaged. It still stands on the edge of the Thai jungle about three miles from this peaceful town and it has become something of a tourist attraction. The bridge was erected by Allied pris oners during the Japanese occupation of Thailand in World War II.Dec 17, 1972
Why was the bridge on the River Kwai important?
This iconic landmark serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities suffered here during World War II. The nearby museum highlights the plight of the POWs and Asian laborers tortured by the Japanese, whilst the beautifully maintained WWII cemetery provides a quiet sanctuary for reflection.
Who played the Japanese colonel in The Bridge on the River Kwai?
Sessue Hayakawa
Where is the River Kwai bridge located?
Kanchanaburi
Does the bridge over the River Kwai still exist?
The real bridge on the River Kwai was never destroyed, not even damaged. It still stands on the edge of the Thai jungle about three miles from this peaceful town and it has become something of a tourist attraction. The bridge was erected by Allied pris oners during the Japanese occupation of Thailand in World War II.Dec 17, 1972
Is the bridge over the River Kok still standing?
Unfortunately, the bridge was then taken down after the filming even though we asked for it to remain in place as it was an excellent facility for the local people. The bridge was not built over the Kok, but over the Fang River which flows into the Kok, for a number of reasons.
Did Top Gear really build a bridge over the river?
It was no surprise that somewhere in their travels they’d gone wrong and were in fact not at the famous River Kwai, but instead the River Kok, which flows from Burma to the East towards Mueang Chiang Rai in Thailand. Yep, they were a few hundred miles out. Despite this, they got to building the bridge.
Is The Bridge on the River Kwai a true story?
The film « The Bridge on the River Kwai » dramatized the WWII story of the Thailand-Burma Railway, yet it was largely fictional. Over 65,000 Allied P.O.W.s battled torture, starvation, and disease to hack the 255-mile railway out of harsh jungle for the Japanese.
Where is the River Kwai located?
western Thailand
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