The Bridge on the River Kwai of honor and the hypocrisy of Britain’s class system without ever compromising its thrilling war narrative", and in comparing to other films of the time said that Bridge on the River Kwai "carefully builds its psychological tension until it erupts in a blinding flash of sulfur and flame.". Variety gave high praise for the movie saying that it is "a gripping drama, expertly put together and handled with skill in all departments.". Significant praise was also given to the actors especially Alec Guinness, Variety said that "the film is unquestionably Guinness’". William Holden was also credited for his acting, he
The Bridge on the River Kwai heard it in Thailand. We hadn't much breath left for whistling. But in Bangkok I was told that David Lean, the film's director, became mad at the extras who played the prisoners—us—because they couldn't march in time. Lean shouted at them, 'For God's sake, whistle a march to keep time to.' And a bloke called George Siegatz ... —an expert whistler—began to whistle "Colonel Bogey", and a hit was born." The march was written in 1914 by Kenneth J. Alford, a pseudonym of British Bandmaster Frederick J. Ricketts. The Colonel Bogey strain was accompanied by a counter-melody using the same