AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 14


Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films.

Colonel Nicholson: [looks at the completed bridge] I've been thinking. Tomorrow it will be 28 years to the day that I've been in the service. 28 years in peace and war. I don't suppose I've been at home more than 10 months in all that time. Still, it's been a good life. I loved India. I wouldn't have had it any other way. But there are times... when suddenly you realize you're nearer the end than the beginning. And you wonder, you ask yourself, what the sum total of your life represents. What difference your being there at any time made to anything - or if it made any difference at all, really. Particularly in comparison with other men's careers. I don't know whether that kind of thinking's very healthy, but I must admit I've had some thoughts on those lines from time to time. But tonight... tonight!

Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Original List Position: 13
Starring: Alec Guinness, William Holden, and Jack Hawkins
Director: David Lean
About: Lean is such a talented director. He gave us some deep and memorable films. I remember the first time I saw this. I had been a young man that grew up on Star Wars, so seeing Guinness in something different was fascinating. This is such a great and engaging drama that has a stirring plot and a stirring ending. It was No. 13 on the original list, close to where I have it. It slipped to No. 36 10 years later, but I think they got it right the first time. This is an epic that is one of my favorite films from Lean. 

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