The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

James Donald: Major Clipton

Photos 

Quotes 

• [last lines] 

  Major Clipton : Madness! Madness!

• Major Clipton : The fact is, what we're doing could be construed as - forgive me, sir - collaboration with the enemy. Perhaps even as treasonable activity.

  Colonel Nicholson : Are you alright, Clipton? We're prisoners of war, we haven't the right to refuse work.

  Major Clipton : I understand that, sir. But... must we work so well? Must we build them a better bridge than they could have built for themselves?

  Colonel Nicholson : If you had to operate on Saito, would you do your job or would you let him die? Would you prefer to see this battalion disintegrate in idleness? Would you have it said that our chaps can't do a proper job? Don't you realize how important it is to show these people that they can't break us, in body or in spirit? Take a good look, Clipton. One day the war will be over, and I hope that the people who use this bridge in years to come will remember how it was built, and who built it. Not a gang of slaves, but soldiers! British soldiers, Clipton, even in captivity.

  Major Clipton : Yes sir.

  Colonel Nicholson : You're a fine doctor, Clipton, but you've a lot to learn about the army.

• [after speaking with Nicholson and Saito, neither of whom will relent] 

  Major Clipton : Are they both mad? Or am I going mad? Or is it the sun?

• Major Clipton : [visits Nicholson in the oven]  Sir, you can't stand much more of this. And wouldn't the men be better off working rather than being kept in those cells? The men are doing a wonderful job of it, they're going as slow as they dare; but Saito's cut their food rations. If they don't get put to work, they're going to die. And that's all there is to it.

  Colonel Nicholson : Yes, Clipton. I understand, truly. But don't you see it's a matter of principle? If we give in now, there will be no end to it. No!

  Major Clipton : Sir, we're lost in the jungle, a thousand miles from anywhere. We're under the heel of a man who will stop at nothing to get his way. Principle? No one will know or care what happens to us! Give in, sir! Please!

  Colonel Nicholson : I'm adamant. I will not have an officer from my battalion working as a coolie.