Japanese forces invade Southeast Asia, including Burma and Thailand, during World War II.
Japanese forces begin building the Burma-Thailand Railway, also known as the Death Railway, using Allied POW labor under harsh conditions.
French author Pierre Boulle publishes the novel that inspired the film, depicting the fictionalized story surrounding the railway’s construction.
Production of the film directed by David Lean, based on Pierre Boulle's novel.
The film is released, receiving critical acclaim and winning several Academy Awards.
British prisoners of war arrive at the Japanese construction camp by the River Kwai to build a railway bridge.
Colonel Nicholson, the commanding officer of the British POWs, insists on maintaining military discipline and order among the prisoners, despite Japanese orders.
The British POWs start building the railway bridge across the River Kwai, initially reluctantly but later with a surprising level of dedication under Nicholson's leadership.
Colonel Nicholson gains the respect of Colonel Saito, the Japanese commandant, through his insistence on disciplined work and order.
A British commando, Lieutenant Commander Shears (called 'Willie Smith' by the book), who escaped capture, is enlisted by Allied forces and sneaks back into the camp to sabotage the bridge.
The railway bridge over the River Kwai is completed ahead of schedule, a great engineering achievement that ironically aids the Japanese war effort.
Allied forces devise a bombing mission aimed to destroy the newly built bridge to disrupt Japanese supply lines.
During the climax, the Allied team successfully destroys the bridge by detonating explosives as the train crosses it, at great cost.
