The Real Story of the Men Who Built WWII's Bridge on the River Kwai

The Smithsonian Channel's "The Pacific War in Color" has been one of the summer's most rewarding shows and episode 7 looks to be one of its best. "No Surrender" premieres on Sunday, August 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

We've got a clip from the episode that features compelling footage of the prisoners of war compelled by the Japanese to build a bridge over the River Kwai as part of a railroad line from Thailand to Burma. No matter how many times you've seen the Oscar-winning movie, these images are a revelation.

In this episode, the war in Europe is winding down, but the Japanese forces dig in and prepare for a long siege.

By the spring of 1945, America begins to take back the Philippines, Manila is liberated after a devastating battle, and the USO show comes to boost morale. On Borneo, the Australians invade Labuan and liberate the Indonesians from oppressive Japanese occupation.

When the U.S. invades Okinawa, Japan makes a strong stand and launches the biggest kamikaze attacks of the war. Record-shattering casualties - including the generals from both sides - mount in island-hopping's last epic battle. POWs are rare. Japanese forces fight to the end, with no sign of surrender.