Amid World War II, Allied prisoners of war find themselves confined in a Japanese internment camp. The captives are given an order: construct a bridge to support the Burma-Siam railway. Initially, their inclination is to sabotage the bridge, but Colonel Nicholson, their leader, proposes a different course of action. He believes that building the bridge could boost morale and lift their spirits.
Colonel Nicholson garners admiration from his fellow prisoners as he resolutely endures torture rather than compromising his principles for the advantage of Japanese Commandant Colonel Saito. However, over time, the POWs begin to realize that the bridge holds significance not only as a symbol of Nicholson's fortitude but also as a form of cooperation with the enemy. The project transforms into a monument to Nicholson himself, raising questions about the fine line between principle and collaboration.
