For a full rundown of the previous 8 matches, the ‘rules’ and other such nonsense, see this post

Round 1, Match 9: Dr. Strangelove vs. Citizen Kane

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Film vs. Film Challenge: Round 1, Match 10

Bridge On The River Kwai vs. Schindler’s List

David Lean’s WWII masterpiece is a beloved classic with grand sets, fantastic performances and a memorable cast of characters. Steven Spielberg’s harrowing Holocaust film is powerful, difficult, and signaled the start of a new era for the popular director. Two very different takes on sides of World War II that do not involve tanks, battles and warfare.

VS.

VOTE!

Kwai! This was easy for me.

Hitler has only got one ball,
The other is in the Albert Hall,
Himmler has something sim'ler,
But poor old Goebbels has no balls at all.

Every 12 films will include a matchup of two that I've seen!

I will vote for Bridge, for a multitude of reasons. When given the choice of watching a sullen drama about war, or a rousing propaganda piece, I'll choose the "feel good" war movie everytime.

Reason two: Rewatchability factor. I've seen it once, will I want to see it again?

Again, Bridge gets the nod.

Final reason:

Can you hum the tune to Schindler's List?

That's what I thought.

Never saw Bridge

Schindler's List, though manipulative, is a powerful film and one of those everyone "should" watch.

And one shouldn't make out while watching it.

I like Schindler's, and think it is a great movie, but I love Kwai. Of course, give me The Great Escape and we're done. Probably my favourite film ever. Life is Beautiful ranks pretty high too since we're on the subject.

Schindlers List. Troubling, powerful film, almost impossible to watch twice, yet impossible to turn away from. Brilliant work.

I have not yet voted. This is a very difficult choice to make. I like both films and think they're both excellent, but for very, very different reasons. More thought is needed.

What Jeff said.

Difficult choice, but my vote goes to Schindler's List.

Schindler's List

I watched it several times when it came out in 1993. It's unfortunate that the "message" of the film has overwhelmed the fact that it is also great filmmaking.

Kwai is my choice, Schindlers List was good I just enjoyed Kwai more.

Gotta go with "Kwai" here. Don't get me wrong, "Schindler's" is a damn fine movie, but Alec Guinness' performance in "Kwai" is a masterpiece to behold. The almost-too-late realization of what he's done is an incredibly powerful movie moment. A master-class of epic film-making.

I voted for Bridge too. That was a great movie. Schindler's was great too. It was a tough choice.

Frank read my mind.

I still haven't voted on this one. Probably the hardest one for me so far (though Godfather II vs. Vertigo was tough, too).

Kwai: Rousing characters, grand sets, great story, fantastic performances. I enjoy returning to this one.

List: Powerful, beautiful in its uglieness, inspired, gut-wrenching, important. I don't know that I'd return to this one often.

Maybe that last bit is the important one ... but it's very hard to penalize Schindler's List just because it's such a downer you wouldn't watch it often. It may cast a shadow over your soul, but that does not make it less than a brilliant effort.

Damn. I hate me.

Shit, and I just noticed it's 12-13! My vote could be a big deal.

You should vote to tie the ballot, and then we can have a steel cage showdown in the UFC Octagon.

I finally settled on a vote ... after I had closed on the voting.

And my vote would have tied the match.

Awww well.