Both the book and film outraged former prisoners because Toosey did not collaborate, unlike the fictional Colonel Nicholson.

Spiegel persuaded Alec Guinness to play Colonel Nicholson in "The Bridge on the River Kwai," although David Lean, the director, apparently preferred Charles Laughton.

But in this case, Colonel Nicholson went further than usual in acknowledging that the civilians were "innocent Afghans."

Colonel Nicholson said the Army made extensive efforts to find anyone who might have been wounded on the crowded highway or relatives, including those not from the area.

Part 2 is governance," Colonel Nicholson said, "extending the reach of the government.

For his performance as Colonel Nicholson, the unyielding British POW commanding officer, Guinness won an Academy Award.

"You must have a clear understanding of the political objectives," said Colonel Nicholson, now an aide to the secretary of the Army, Thomas E. White.

Construction of the bridge serves as a symbol of the preservation of professionalism and personal integrity to one prisoner, Colonel Nicholson, a proud perfectionist.

Colonel Nicholson is portrayed as the perfect example of the military snob, but Boulle also examines friendship between individual soldiers, both among captors and captives.

One believes Colonel Nicholson in "The Bridge on the River Kwai" without being especially moved or interested.