“I want everything to go off without a hitch starting first thing...” – Nicholson, The Bridge on the River Kwai ... Movie Quotes Database

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.

Shears

I hope they can remain soldiers, Colonel. As for me, I'm just a slave, a living slave.

In this scene

Col. Nicholson Alec Guinness More Nicholson quotes →

Cmdr. Shears William Holden More Shears quotes →

More from The Bridge on the River Kwai

Saito 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. 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!? Cmdr. Shears We're going to be a busy pair of gravediggers.