During the height of World War II, a group of British prisoners of war is captured by the Japanese army and taken to a labor camp in the Thai jungle. Despite the inhumane conditions and the severe treatment they endure, Colonel Nicholson, determined not to break, becomes the leader of the prisoners. In an effort to maintain high morale and demonstrate the superiority of the British spirit, he decides to accept the challenge imposed by their captors: to build a bridge over a strategic river that will facilitate the passage of the Japanese railway.
As the prisoners work on the construction, an intense battle of wills ensues. As days turn into weeks, Nicholson's obsession with fulfilling his duty transforms the bridge into a symbol of British pride, even though its true purpose is to serve the enemy. However, the arrival of a new group of prisoners led by Colonel Shears complicates matters. Shears, who has an alternative plan in mind, seeks to blow up the bridge and thwart the Japanese plans.
Amid debates about honor, resistance, and morality, the story moves towards an explosive climax, questioning loyalties and revealing the cost of war. In this dramatic tale, the line between duty and madness becomes blurred, prompting us to reflect on the sacrifices we make for our ideals.