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The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

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1 article from 2008

6 May 2008 9:05 PM, PDT | From avclub.com | See recent The AV Club news

The late '50s and early '60s produced their share of bloated, inert movies that confused extended running times and excessive art direction with top-flight, value-for-dollar entertainment. But the epic era also gave movie and history buffs unparalleled spectacles like David Lean's The Bridge On The River Kwai and Lawrence Of Arabia, and—almost as good—Anthony Mann's The Fall Of The Roman Empire. In the '40s, Mann was known for earthy noirs, and in the '50s for darkly pragmatic westerns, but in his last decade as a director, Mann helmed grand historical stories that dwelled on the strengths and weaknesses of men struggling with how to reconcile their sense of honor with their lusty desires. Though Mann split The Fall Of The Roman Empire into a series of intimate scenes, he didn't skimp on the pomp. The sets are enormous, the battle scenes well-populated,

Noel Murray

1 article from 2008