The Bridge on the River Kwai
This is the first of three historical epic masterpieces from director David Lean (the others being Lawrence of Arabia and Dr. Zhivago) and quite possibly his best. The film's powerful antiwar message is driven home through the stories of its four central characters, all of whom are destined to tragically collide on The Bridge on the River Kwai. The most compelling of these characters is the commanding officer of the British prisoners of war, whose misguided loyalty to duty and military structure threatens to destroy himself and his men. Alec Guinness' remarkable performance as Col. Nicholson is so captivating that it's hard not to buy into his irrational arguments, even upon repeat viewings. William Holden also gives one his best performances as a reluctant, war-weary hero who must return to the POW camp from which he escaped to blow up the bridge.