MovieChat Forums > The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) Discussion > Nicholson deliberately set off the explo...

Nicholson deliberately set off the explosives

posted 13 years ago by internetnicknamehere-178-30027
7 replies | jump to latest

I once watched a review of this film, on its DVD, where the reviewer said that Nicholson accidentally set off the bombs, as he would never intentionally destroy a bridge which he had been working on for so long. However I don't think this is the case, because in the final scene the Colonel says "what have I done", presumably realising he's been collaborating with the Japanese. Then he runs towards the detonator, before being mortally wounded by Warden's mortar shell. Unless he was planning the set off the bombs, he wouldn't run towards the detonator.

[–] OldAussie 13 years ago

I agree with you 100%.
I've heard lots of theories about the ending but it seems pretty clear to me that at the last moment he realizes the bridge must be destroyed.

"The old man's still an artist with a Thompson."

[–] internetnicknamehere-178-30027 13 years ago

Well apparantly, before performing the scene, Alec Guinness asked the film makers whether Nicholson did it deliberately, and was told that they didn't really know and told him just to perform the scene, the way we see in the film. I'm pretty sure it was deliberate though, for the reasons that I said earlier.

[–] veryhornyfox 12 years ago

He is stepping towards the detonator which suggests, along with his "what have I done" line, that he wants to stop it. However it isn't quite clear whether he is trying his hardest to stop it or whether he still hasn't finally decided. Then he passes out and falls on it accidentally.

[–] Hawkensian 11 years ago

Whatever one's interpretation is, I think everyone would agree that it's an absolutely fantastic climax! I was so glad that the film has barely dated, a true classic.

http://www.hawkensian.com/

[–] simon-clingan 11 years ago

It is an excellent ending but I believe the detonation was purely accidental. Yes he realised what he had done but the mortar round knocked him down and upon standing and retrieving his hat he began to lose consciousness immediately so he had no capacity to think. If accidental it's a profound irony.

[–] MrBullo 11 years ago

All your differing opinions indicate that the director's intention was fulfilled, namely to make the ending ambiguous.

For me, I think it was merely coincidental that Nicholson fell onto the detonator after he was shot ...... but then again ........

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

it's a phony ambiguous. the filmmakers just refuse to make a decision.

'The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.'-Al McGuire ✈