1942: Boldly advancing through Asia the Japanese need a train route from Burma going north. In a prison camp British POWs are forced into labor. The bridge they build will become a symbol of service and survival to one prisoner Colonel Nicholson a proud perfectionist. Pitted against the warden Colonel Saito Nicholson will nevertheless out of a distorted sense of duty aid his enemy. While on the outside as the Allies race to destroy the bridge Nicholson must decide which will be the first casualty: his patriotism or his pride.