COLUMBIA TRISTAR has released another film classic on DVD.  David Lean's "BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI" deserves a wonderful presentation, and the dvd special edition provides fans with one splendidly! For any first-time viewers, "BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI" is filmmaking at  its best!  To begin with, the cast, including Alec Guinness(yes, he was in something  "before" Star Wars!), William Holden and Sessue Hayakawa.  But, "everything" about this film is spectacular, the direction, editing, music, and much, much more!
The script by blacklisted writer Carl Foreman, is based on the novel by
Pierre Bouelle(Planet of the Apes), and details the events surrounding the
building of a magnificent bridge to help supply the Japanese war effort, via the horrible slavery-like conditions of war prisoners.  While the film has its share of action and suspense, it's also a terrific drama, offering
various subplots and dimensions.  Director David Lean truly earned his
praise here in the manner he so skillfully explores the various themes of
the film.  Well-meaning soldiers and Colonels unwittingly corrupt
themselves as the film makes an important statement about the absurdity of war.  In one of many tremendous scenes, a prisoner demands to be treated fairly under the codes of the "Geneva" convention, something that the Japanese and Germans couldn't care less about.

"BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI" won 7 Academy Awards and the wonderful dvd presentation is undoubtedly the  best way to view the film, short of a "large" movie theater with terrific sound equipment.
The films' 2.55:1 aspect ratio is perfectly intact here!  There are some
signs of age including scratches, but overall, it's wonderful.  Colors are
solid, and while the image is also a bit soft at times, it tends to better
itself as the film plays on, creating a generally sharp-looking picture
throughout most of the film.
The film is presented in both 2.0 Dolby Surround "and" a new Dolby digital 5.1 soundmix.  While most of the discrete soundmix is utilized for
atmosphere alone, it's extremely effective.  Most of the film is focused on
the center channel, but there are plenty of opportunities for effects that
place the viewer in the middle of the action.  The wonderful score has never sounded better than it does here, and it's also offered as an isolated track, however, only in 2.0!  While there is a .1 channel, there's virtually no "LFE" moments.
The film is wonderfully packaged as a 2-disc set with a wonderful case. 
While many "menus" offered on dvd these days, have been advanced to offer an "interactive" or "live" feel to them, the "menus" offered on this release, are wonderful!  It's hard to describe, but they really are incredible to just look at and take in.  There are trailers for "Bridge ON the River Kwai" as well as for the long-awaited "other "Lean masterpiece, "LAWRENCE OF ARABIA".  We also get a trailer to "Guns of Navarone" and "Fail-Safe".

There is an outstanding documentary, "THE MAKING OF THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI" offered as well!  It's made up mostly with interviews from crew of the film, including William Holden and Alec Guiness. More exciting is the 53 minute long new documentary, The Making of the Bridge on the River Kwai by Laurent Bouzereau. It features many of the film's stars, and while it's sad that Lean isn't alive to add commentary, the film speaks for itself.

Fortunately, there's a large amount of rare clip and film footage.  In a section titled "FEATURETTES AND PHOTOS" there are several worthwhile programs.  "The Rise and Fall of a Jungle Giant" is black and white, and even at only 6 minutes, it's great entertainment!  It focuses on the engineering feat behind the bridge's construction.

William Holden actually introduces the USC short film, and it is a fine example of what that school has produced.  Holden gives more depth than one typically expects from a promotional type short film, as this is.

Director John Milius offers his own praise in a separate section that's certain to please his fans as well as fans of Lean.  The last section is a photo montage, offering numerous posters and promotional stills for the film, all displayed with parts of the film's score playing in the background, similar in fashion to the promotional piece offered on the new special edition of "Donnie Brasco".

There is a souvenir booklet within the dvd package. It offers commentary by the films' producer, and insight into some interesting events behind the film's production.

For those of you interested in what "RAVES" are all about, look no further than "GROOVE".   The title and theme may prove disarming, but the film is energetic enough to win over even the "squarest" of viewers.  director/writer Greg Harrison obviously knows the "after-hours" dance scene, and "GROOVE" is his homage to it.  While it captures the feel of the environment it's depicting, it doesn't ultimately succeed in producing a compelling storyline.  Are we really supposed to "care" about the police trying to "shut" down the illegal party?  Harrison has a fresh look to the film's images, and along with a thumping score, it's almost certain to get viewers with a decent sound system "into" the film. 

There isn't any "one" character with which viewers can relate, and the film suffers due to this.  Harrison opts for style over substance, and this film is really intended for viewers whom are already fans of "raves" in general.  The thin-story line deals with the various characters involved in setting up and attending a rave, including the  guys behind it, the djs, and other adolescents dealing with drugs, troubled relationships, and everything else we've seen before!

There's a great audio commentary with Harrison, certain to please aspiring filmmakers, as he delves into how he achieved the look of the film.  He explains, with detail, why he chose Super 16mm(which Mike Figgis also loves)and blew it up to 35mm for its theatrical release.

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has chosen to present the film with 16:9 enhancement, and while it's a little soft in spots, overall the transfer looks great!  There is excellent depth and contrast, and minimal artifacting.

A full screen version is also available, but its framing looks horrible in comparison to the letterboxed version.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound offers "near" demonstration quality!  There is an abundance of directional effects, with virtually non-stop rear speaker effects.  Of course, the best use of the surround effects comes into play during the frequent dance scenes. The LFE track is almost certain to give your subwoofer a workout!

As mentioned above, Harrison provides an insightful commentary. It's great for aspiring filmmakers, because he delves into the mechanics of putting together a film with modest funding, at times his creative means of stretching the budget resemble Roberto Rodriquez's accomplishments with "El Maricachi".

A nice touch is the isolated music track.  Unlike many other studios' tracks, this one is still offered in 5.1!  There's a featurette which explores the basic setting of the film, a warehouse in San Francisco.

There is a deleted scenes section, but it's pretty sparse in terms of material.  Our favorite supplement is the "Casting Auditions" segment, featuring the actors selected for their roles.  As with the film, viewers can opt to have Harrison's commentary or not!

We were a little disappointed to see that for some reason, COLUMBIA TRISTAR didn't elect to offer the theatrical trailers with either their proper aspect ratio or surround sound, as offered on their dvd releases.