"The Bridge on the River Kwai" is a 1957 war film directed by David Lean. It is based on the novel by Pierre Boulle and tells the story of British prisoners of war during World War II who are forced to build a railway bridge for their Japanese captors in Burma. The film explores themes of duty, honor, and the absurdity of war. The bridge itself, a crucial element of the story, symbolizes the conflict between the prisoners' resilience and the oppressive conditions they face. The film received critical acclaim, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is considered a classic in cinema history.