You've seen the graveyard. They're your real odds. To give up hope of escape to even stop thinking about it, is like accepting a death sentence.

— Commander Shears (William Holden)

escapingoddswilliam holden

9 seconds sound clip from the The Bridge on the River Kwai movie soundboard.

You can hear this line at 00:18:55.346 in the Blu-ray version of the movie.

Quote context

[...]

- About the escape committee, sir. I've had a talk with Commander Shears...

- There won't be any escape committee.

- I don't understand, sir. Lieutenant Jennings has a plan.

- Yes, yes, I'm sure Jennings has a plan.

- But escape? Where? Into this jungle? That fellow, Saito, is right. No need for barbed wire here. One chance in 100 of survival.

- I'm sure a man of Commander Shears' experience will back me up on that point.

- Oh, I'd say the odds against a successful escape are about 100-to-1.

- Right. But may I add another word, colonel?

- Please.

- The odds against survival in this camp are even worse.

- You've seen the graveyard. They're your real odds. To give up hope of escape to even stop thinking about it, is like accepting a death sentence.

- Why haven't you tried to escape, commander?

- Oh, I've been biding my time. Waiting for the right moment, the right company.

- I understand how you feel.

- Of course, it's normally the duty of a captured soldier to attempt escape.

[...]

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