#36 The Bridge on the River Kwai

1957
Director: David Lean
Starring: Alec Guinness, William Holden, Sessue Hayakawa

Loved this movie!! It follows the story of British POW's in a Japanese work camp.  The Japanese colonel uses them to complete his task of building a bridge over the Kwai river.  Alec Guinness plays opposite Sessue Hayakawa and the two are perfect.  Guinness's character, Nicholson, insists that if they are being used to build the bridge then it will be done perfectly.  When an escapee from the camp to destroy the bridge, I was rooting for the bridge...

Trivia: The actual Major Saito, unlike the character portrayed in the film by Sessue Hayakawa, was said by some to be one of the most reasonable and humane of all of the Japanese officers, usually willing to negotiate with the POWs in return for their labor. Such was the respect between Saito and the real-life Lieutenant-Colonel Toosey that Toosey spoke up on Saito's behalf at the war-crimes tribunal after the war, saving him from the gallows. Ten years after Toosey's 1975 death, Saito made a pilgrimage to England to visit his grave.

Up Next: Annie Hall

#37 The Best Years of Our Lives

1946
Director: William Wyler
Starring: Myrna Loy, Frederic March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Harold Russell

Three soldiers of various positions in society return from World War 2 to resume their lives.  Each has their own troubles.  I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, but I ended up really liking it.  I thought all of the characters were believable and the acting was amazing.  (Both March and Russell won Oscars for their roles.)

Trivia: For his performance as Homer Parrish, Harold Russell became the only actor to win two Academy Awards for the same role. The Academy Board of Governors thought he was a long shot to win, so they gave him an honorary award "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance." Later that ceremony he won for Best Supporting Actor. 

Up Next: The Bridge on the River Kwai

#38 The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

1948
Director: John Huston
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt

Two Americans are poor and homeless in Mexico when they decide to take a chance with an old gold prospector.  After working tirelessly, they strike it big... but doubts and fear about losing their shares drives them crazy, especially Bogarts character.  He imagines that the other two are going to steal his gold... in the end, bandits, the weather and just bad luck gets the best of them.

Trivia: The movie's line "Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges!" was voted as the #36 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100).

Did I like it? Yes, but I didn't love it.  Next up is The Best Years of Our Lives (1948)