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Scene From The Bridge On The River Kwai Filmed On The Verandah Of Riverdale Bungalow

Filming Of The Bridge
On The River Kwai

Jack Hawkins And William Holden At Riverdale

The film was widely praised, winning seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture) at the 30th Academy Awards. In 1997, the film was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films in history.

Director David Lean clashed with his cast members on multiple occasions, particularly Alec Guinness. After Guinness was done with his final scene, Lean said "Now you can all f**k off and go home, you English actors. Thank God that I'm starting work tomorrow with an American actor (William Holden)."

Sir David Lean’s epic masterpiece was filmed entirely on location in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) with major scenes shot at Riverdale Bungalow. The Bridge on The River Kwai is a 1957 British-American epic war film directed by David Lean and starring William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, and Sessue Hayakawa.

The film is a work of fiction, but borrows the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–1943 for its historical setting. The movie was filmed in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) at various locations including Mahara (near Colombo), Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Riverdale Bungalow at Kandy. The actual bridge in the film was constructed over the Kelani Riverin the lush rainforest near Kithulgala.

David Lean And William Holden At Riverdale

Force 136 Exhibit At The Imperial War Museum, London

From December 1944, the organisation's headquarters moved to Riverdale Bungalow at Kandy in Ceylon, and cooperated closely with Lord Mountbatten’s South East Asia Command which was also located nearby.

The Commander of Force 136, Colin Mackenzie, took up residence in the Riverdale Bungalow which was acquired by Force 136 complete with servants. The bungalow had belonged to Sidney Smith, a local tea planter.

Colin Mackenzie stayed at Riverdale Bungalow with his wife Clodagh until Force 136 was liquidated. On Tuesday 13 November 1945, a special dinner was held to mark the occasion of Force 136 becoming dissolved. Around the dinner table that evening was Lord Mountbatten and his senior staff.

South East Asia Headquarters Of S.O.E Force 136

Only a handful of history buffs are aware that Riverdale Bungalow played a major part in the real-life history of Force 136, the South East Asia branch of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) - which was actually replicated in Sir David Lean’s fictional film!

Force 136 was the general cover name for a branch of the British World War II organization, the Special Operations Executive (SOE). The organisation was established to encourage and supply resistance movements in enemy occupied territory, and occasionally mount clandestine sabotage operations. Force 136 operated in the regions of the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II which were occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945.

Force 136 Comic

The Elephant Stables, Kandy

Riverdale Bungalow Is Part Of The Famous Elephant Stables At Kandy

The Elephant Stables is one of Sri Lanka’s premier luxury boutique hotels. It is located a mere 15 minutes away from Riverdale Bungalow. All staff at Riverdale are fully supervised and trained by The Elephant Stables management.

Our Fabulous Staff At Riverdale Bungalow

JOEL

Joel Hameed Is the Resident Manager of the Elephant Stables and is in charge of all daily operations at Riverdale Bungalow. He is on hand at any time to give advice and make all necessary arrangements for guests at the bungalow.

MANJULA

Senior Supervisor Manjula is the personal butler who will attend to all of our guest’s daily requirements such as discussing cuisine preferences, daily housekeeping and arranging excursions and sightseeing.

MADUSHANKA

Your exclusive personal chef Madushanka is responsible for preparing any cuisine to order as per guest requirements. He has been trained by Master Chef Indika from the famous Elephant Stables kitchen team.

Ariel View Of Riverdale Bungalow

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About us

Scene From The Bridge On The River Kwai Filmed On The Verandah Of Riverdale Bungalow

Filming Of The Bridge
On The River Kwai

Jack Hawkins And William Holden At Riverdale

David Lean And William Holden At Riverdale

Force 136 Exhibit At The Imperial War Museum, London

South East Asia Headquarters Of S.O.E Force 136

Force 136 Comic

The Elephant Stables, Kandy

Riverdale Bungalow Is Part Of The Famous Elephant Stables At Kandy

Our Fabulous Staff At Riverdale Bungalow

JOEL

MANJULA

MADUSHANKA

Ariel View Of Riverdale Bungalow

Info

Riverdale Bungalow

Follow us

About us

Scene From The Bridge On The River Kwai Filmed On The Verandah Of Riverdale Bungalow

Filming Of The BridgeOn The River Kwai

Jack Hawkins And William Holden At Riverdale

David Lean And William Holden At Riverdale

Force 136 Exhibit At The Imperial War Museum, London

South East Asia Headquarters Of S.O.E Force 136

Force 136 Comic

The Elephant Stables, Kandy

Riverdale Bungalow Is Part Of The Famous Elephant Stables At Kandy

Our Fabulous Staff At Riverdale Bungalow

JOEL

MANJULA

MADUSHANKA

Ariel View Of Riverdale Bungalow

Info

Riverdale Bungalow

Follow us

Filming Of The Bridge
On The River Kwai