Col. Nicholson One day the war will be over. And I hope that the people that use this bridge in years to come will remember how it was built and who built it. Not a gang of slaves, but soldiers, British soldiers, Clipton, even in captivity.
Most-quoted character in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957): in 15 of its 39 quotes
Most scenes with: Col. Saito (5), Maj. Clipton (3), Cmdr. Shears (2)
I tell you, gentlemen, we have a problem on our hands. Thanks to the Japanese, we now command a rabble. There's no order, no discipline. Our task is to rebuild the battalion. It isn't going to be easy, but fortunately, we have the means at hand, the bridge...We can teach these barbarians a lesson in Western methods and efficiency that will put them to shame. We'll show them what the British soldier is capable of doing...It's going to be a proper bridge. Now here again, I know the men. It's essential that they should take a pride in their job.
More lines from Col. Nicholson
4 quotes Col. Nicholson Col. Nicholson [on feeling down]
It is quite understandable. It's a very natural reaction. But one day, in a week, a month, a year, on that day when God willing, we all return to our homes again, you're going to feel very proud of what you have achieved here in the face of great adversity. What you have done, should be, and I think will be, an example to all our countrymen, soldier and civilian alike. You have survived with honor, that and more, here in the wilderness. You have turned defeat into victory. I congratulate you. Well done.
Col. Nicholson Colonel Saito. Have you a knife? I just realized. The bridge has been mined.
Col. Nicholson What have I done?
Scenes with Col. Nicholson
10 scenes Nicholson I heard your remarks just now sir. I can assure you, my men will carry on in the way one expects of the British soldier. And naturally, my officers and I will be responsible for their conduct. Now sir, you may have overlooked the fact that the use of officers for manual labor is expressly forbidden by the Geneva Convention.
Is that so?
Nicholson I happen to have a copy of the Convention with me and would be glad to let you glance through it if you wish.
That will not be necessary.
Oh, I'd say the odds against a successful escape are about 100 to 1...But may I add another word, Colonel...The odds against survival in this camp are even worse. You've seen the graveyard. There you realize. You give up hope of escape. To even stop thinking about it is like accepting a death sentence.
Nicholson Why haven't you tried to escape, Commander?
Oh, I've been biding my time, waiting for the right moment, the right company.
Nicholson I understand how you feel. Of course, it's normally the duty of a captured soldier to attempt escape. But my men and I are involved in a curious legal point of which you are unaware. In Singapore, we were ordered to surrender by Command Headquarters, ordered, mind you. Therefore, in our case, escape might well be an infraction of military law. Interesting?
Yes, interesting point.
I'm sorry sir. I didn't quite follow you. You mean you intend to uphold the letter of the law, no matter what it costs.
Nicholson Without law, Commander, there is no civilization.
Well see, that's my point. Here, there is no civilization.
Nicholson Then, we have the opportunity to introduce it. I suggest that we drop the subject of escape.
Nicholson I want everything to go off without a hitch starting first thing tomorrow morning. And remember this: our men must always feel they are still commanded by us and not by the Japanese. So long as they have that idea to cling to, they'll be soldiers and not slaves.
I hope they can remain soldiers, Colonel. As for me, I'm just a slave, a living slave.
You speak to me of code. What code? The coward's code. What do you know of the soldier's code? Of bushido? Nothing. You are unworthy of command.
Nicholson Since you refuse to abide by the laws of the civilized world, we must consider ourselves absolved from our duty to obey you. My officers will not do manual labor.
We shall see. All English present prisoners to work!
Nicholson That man's [Saito] the worst commanding officer I've ever come across. Actually, I think he's mad...Blackmail...
I know, sir. He means it. I'm sure he does. It's a question of face, pure and simple. He can't give in.
Nicholson It's still blackmail.
Sir, you can't stand much more of this. And wouldn't the officers be better off working than suffocating in that hole? The men are doing a wonderful job. They're going as slow as they dare. But Saito has cut their food rations. And if he makes the sick men work, well, they're going to die. That's all there is to it.
Nicholson Yes Clipton, I understand, truly. But don't you see. It's a matter of principle. If we give in now, there'll be no end to it. No...I'm adamant. I will not have an officer from my battalion working as a coolie!
I do not think you quite realize my position. I must carry out my orders...My orders are to complete the bridge by the twelfth day of May. Time is short. I only have twelve weeks more...Therefore, I am compelled to use all available personnel.
Nicholson But no officers, except in an administrative capacity.
But officers ARE working along the entire railway. You know it. I know it.
Nicholson I'm not responsible for the actions of other commanding officers. Personally, I'm appalled.
Let's not get excited. Would you have a cigar?
Nicholson No, thank you.
When I said: 'All officers must work,' naturally I never meant you - the commanding officer. My orders were only intended for officers below...
Nicholson None of my officers will do manual labor!
PLEASE. I was about to say, I've been thinking the matter over and have decided to put majors and above in administrative duties, leaving only the duty officers to lend a hand.
Nicholson I'm afraid not. The Convention's quite clear on that point.
Do you know what will happen to me if the bridge is not built on time?
Nicholson I haven't the foggiest.
I'll have to kill myself. What would you do if you were me?
Nicholson I suppose if I were you, I'd have to kill myself. Cheers! [He drinks the glass of Scotch]
I warn you, colonel. If I am to die, others will die before me. Do you understand that?
Nicholson Major Clipton did mention something to that effect...That won't solve your problem. I'm sure we can arrive at the proper solution. Please sit down. Now, tell me, uh, Colonel. Do you or do you not agree that the first job of an officer is command?
Of course.
Nicholson [standing and assuming superiority]
This bridge of yours, it's quite an enormous undertaking, and to be frank, I have grave doubts whether your Lieutenant, what's his name?...Miura, is capable of tackling a job of such importance. On the other hand, I have officers, Reeves and Hughes for instance, who've built bridges all over India. The men respect them. It's essential for an officer to have that respect, I'm sure you agree. (If) he loses it, he ceases to command and what happens then? Demoralization and chaos. A pretty poor commander I would be if I allowed that to happen to my men.
Perhaps you are not aware that the bridge is now under my personal command.
Nicholson Really? May I ask: 'Are you satisfied with the work?'
I AM NOT!
Nicholson Proves my point.
[as he plunges the dinner knife into the tabletop]
I hate the British. You are defeated, but you have no shame. You are stubborn, but have no pride. You endure, but you have no courage. Leave this place!
Nicholson It's pointless going on like this.
Can you finish the bridge in time?
Nicholson Frankly, the consensus of opinion is that it's impossible. But we'll certainly give it a go. After all, we mustn't forget that we've wasted over a month through an unfortunate disagreement for which I was not to blame.
Nicholson We're not going to finish the bridge on time...We haven't the manpower, that's all. I've asked the officers to lend a hand and they've agreed. But even that won't do it.
You mean the officers are going to work on the bridge?
Nicholson Yes. I explained the situation to them and they volunteered to a man, but it's not enough.
Why didn't you ask Saito and some of his men?
Nicholson Wouldn't dream of it! No, this is our show. We must make the most of our own resources. As a matter of fact, that's what I came to talk to you about. The sick list.
Beautiful.
Nicholson Yes, beautiful. A first-rate job. I had no idea it would turn out so well.
Yes, a beautiful creation.
Nicholson I've been thinking. Tomorrow it will be twenty-eight years to the day that I've been in the service, twenty-eight years in peace and war. I don't suppose I've been at home more than ten 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. Hardly 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! Blast! I must be off. The men are preparing some sort of entertainment.
Joyce Officer, sir. A British officer. We're here to blow up the bridge, sir!
Nicholson Blow up the bridge?
Joyce Yes, sir. Yes, sir. British commando orders, sir.
Nicholson Blow up the bridge!?
