''The Bridge on the River Kwai'', 1957 - art by George Kerfyser

A vintage French movie poster of ''The Bridge on the River Kwai'', a classic 1957 war film directed by David Lean, based on the novel of the same... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''The Bridge on the River Kwai'', 1957 - art by George Kerfyser

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage French movie poster of ''The Bridge on the River Kwai'', a classic 1957 war film directed by David Lean, based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle. The film is set during World War II and is known for its gripping narrative, strong performances, and iconic scenes. It's notable for its portrayal of the human psyche in the face of war and the moral dilemmas that arise.

The story revolves around a group of British prisoners of war who are held captive by the Japanese in a prisoner-of-war camp in Burma (now Myanmar). Their captors force them to build a bridge over the River Kwai as part of a strategic railway project that will connect Bangkok to Rangoon. The film primarily follows the interactions and conflicts between the British prisoners and their Japanese captors, led by Colonel Saito, played by Sessue Hayakawa.

One of the central characters is Colonel Nicholson, played by Sir Alec Guinness, who is the commanding officer of the British prisoners. Nicholson, despite being a prisoner, is a staunch believer in military discipline and honor. He becomes obsessed with building the best possible bridge, believing that it will demonstrate British superiority and prove his men's mettle, even though it serves the interests of their captors. This leads to a complex and morally ambiguous character arc as he becomes increasingly committed to the bridge's construction.

On the other side, an American commando named Shears, played by William Holden, escapes from the camp but is later recruited to return with a team to sabotage the bridge. His mission creates a dramatic tension in the film as he faces personal conflicts and ethical dilemmas.

As the film progresses, the construction of the bridge becomes a symbol of pride, determination, and defiance for the British prisoners, while it also serves as a source of conflict and ultimately danger for the Allied forces. The climax of the movie involves a suspenseful and action-packed showdown centered around the bridge.

"The Bridge on the River Kwai" explores themes of duty, honor, and the consequences of obsession. It received critical acclaim upon its release and won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Alec Guinness. The film is celebrated for its direction, cinematography, and memorable score by Malcolm Arnold, which includes the famous "Colonel Bogey March." It remains a timeless classic and is often cited as one of the greatest war films ever made.

About the poster artist:

George Kerfyser (1923 Paris, France–2001 Sisteron, France) was a leading French movie poster designer.

With a talent early in his life for drawing and painting, he studied art at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. After graduation, he began getting commissions to design movie posters. His style and technical ability caught the attention of leading film studios in France. As a result, he became the Artistic Director at Columbia Pictures. He designed a number of their posters for major films, including "Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and "Lawrence of Arabia" (1963).

Kerfyser's use of colors gives a distinct, recognizable impression. The backgrounds are not crowded with scenes and characters but essential and straightforward. They are characterized by plain uniformly spread colors. Blues, azures, greens, occasionally grays, and reds compose a mosaic of colors in wonderfully cool tones.

Among the characteristics of his style was its versatility, using a variety of designs and techniques he felt were appropriate for the type of film. He also used solid colors running to the edges of his posters. In addition, he made unique typography or hand lettering a central feature.

The characters created by Kerfyser stand out against these colored backgrounds. They often contrast figures with marked outlines, black and evocative in their sometimes realistic, sometimes caricatured style. The modernity of Kerfyser's posters is palpable: they seem like unique covers of contemporary graphic novels.

In his later years, he worked with the Cannes film festival, helping it organize events.

Search "Kerfyser" to see more of his art.

Uploaded

February 5th, 2022