Soundtrack of the 1957 American movie Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 British-American epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the novel Le Pont de la Rivière Kwai (1952) by Pierre Boulle. The film is a work of fiction that uses the historical setting of the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942-1943. The cast included William Holden, Jack Hawkins, and Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa. It was initially scripted by screenwriter Carl Foreman, who was later replaced by Michael Wilson. Both writers had to work in secret, as they were on the Hollywood blacklist and had fled to England in order to continue working. As a result, Boulle, who did not speak English, was credited, and received the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay; many years later, Foreman and Wilson posthumously received the Academy Award.

British composer Malcolm Arnold recalled that he had 'ten days to write around forty-five minutes worth of music' - much less time than he was used to. He described the music for The Bridge on the River Kwai as the 'worst job I ever had in my life' from the point of view of time. Arnold struggles with mental health issues throughout his life but was a prolific composer. His output of works features music in many genres, including a cycle of nine symphonies, numerous concertos, concert works, chamber music, choral music and music for brass band and wind band. He wrote extensively for the theatre, with five ballets specially commissioned by the Royal Ballet, as well as two operas and a musical. He also produced scores for more than a hundred films

Track Listing

• Overture
• The River Kwai March: Colonel Bogey
• Shear's Escape
• Nicholson's Victory
• Sunset
• Working on the Bridge
• Trek to the Bridge
• Camp Concert Dance
• Finale
• The River Kwai March/Colonel Bogey March (bonus track)

Additional Details

Label: Gonzo Distribution

Genre: Soundtrack

Language: English

Run Time: 40 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 06/21/19

UPC: 5056083202560