After watching it again on TCM last night, I want to ask about something that has puzzled me for years: After the bridge is blown, Warden (Jack Hawkins) says to the women, "I had to do it. I had to do it. They might have been captured alive. It was the only thing to do." I've seen references that indicate he shot Joyce and Shears, but that makes no sense.
First, both characters were close to the detonator when they were shot, why wouldn't Warden wait until they'd blown the bridge before shooting them (if he had to)? By shooting them first, he jeopardized the mission, which we all know from his character (and Nicholson's) was paramount. Second, why be concerned at all, that they could be captured alive - was he worried that they'd talk? What would they say - admit that the British ordered the destruction? Who else would the Japanese suspect had blown the bridge, since they were at war anyway? Being commandos, being captured would be one of their risks. And what would he have done about Joyce and Shears if Joyce had blown the bridge early, when they discovered the river had gone down? Third, Warden is seen firing the mortar, not a rifle, and he's really too far away to have gotten a decent shot at both Joyce and Shears while they were running. To quote Clipton at the end, the ending is "madness" to me, it makes no sense. Anyone want to help me out here?
Bridge on the River Kwai - plot hole in the ending
in Films and Filmmakers
Posted
After watching it again on TCM last night, I want to ask about something that has puzzled me for years: After the bridge is blown, Warden (Jack Hawkins) says to the women, "I had to do it. I had to do it. They might have been captured alive. It was the only thing to do." I've seen references that indicate he shot Joyce and Shears, but that makes no sense.
First, both characters were close to the detonator when they were shot, why wouldn't Warden wait until they'd blown the bridge before shooting them (if he had to)? By shooting them first, he jeopardized the mission, which we all know from his character (and Nicholson's) was paramount. Second, why be concerned at all, that they could be captured alive - was he worried that they'd talk? What would they say - admit that the British ordered the destruction? Who else would the Japanese suspect had blown the bridge, since they were at war anyway? Being commandos, being captured would be one of their risks. And what would he have done about Joyce and Shears if Joyce had blown the bridge early, when they discovered the river had gone down? Third, Warden is seen firing the mortar, not a rifle, and he's really too far away to have gotten a decent shot at both Joyce and Shears while they were running. To quote Clipton at the end, the ending is "madness" to me, it makes no sense. Anyone want to help me out here?
Thanks,
Andy