Spiegel, Sam

The bridge on the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle ( Visual )
58 editions published between 1957 and 2014 in 3 languages and held by 3,873 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
British soldiers captured by the Japanese during World War II are forced to construct a strategic railroad bridge which a commando team is instructed by the British High Command to destroy

Lawrence of Arabia by David Lean ( Visual )
74 editions published between 1962 and 2012 in 4 languages and held by 3,802 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
The story of T.E. Lawrence, the heroic and troubled man who organized the Arab nations to fight the Turks in World War I and then, having reached a pinnacle of power in Mideast politics, retired to postwar military obscurity

On the waterfront by Elia Kazan ( Visual )
56 editions published between 1952 and 2013 in English and held by 3,390 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Terry Malloy is a washed-up ex-prize fighter corrupted along with brother Charley at an early age by a ruthless Mob-connected union boss named Johnny Friendly, who runs the waterfront. Malloy is now an errand-boy for the union, while Charley (in return for a college education) is now a lawyer for them. Malloy assists in the killing of a longshoreman who was talking to the crime commission investigating the union. He soon meets the dead man's agonized sister, Edie Doyle, and has a change of mind. Activist priest Father Barry argues with Malloy about morality, responsibility, and doing the right thing. Malloy's guilt, his romantic feelings for Edie, and an assault on Father Barry overwhelm him and he turns informer. Malloy's defiant testimony before the commission leads to a climactic bloody battle that wrests the union from the boss' tenacious grasp

The African Queen by John Huston ( Visual )
61 editions published between 1951 and 2010 in 3 languages and held by 2,635 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
At the start of World War I, German imperial troops burn down a mission in Africa. The mission's reverend is so overtaken with disappointment that he passes away. Shortly after, his well-educated, snooty sister Rose buries her brother, she must leave on the only available transport, the 'African Queen' steamboat. The boat is manned by the ill-mannered bachelor, Charlie. Together they embark on a long difficult journey, without any comfort. Rose grows determined to assist in the British war effort and presses Charlie until he finally agrees and together they steam up the Ulana encountering an enemy fort, raging rapids, bloodthirsty parasites and an endlessly branching stream which always seems to lead them to what appear to be impenetrable swamps. Despite their opposing personalities, the two grow closer to each other and ultimately carry out their plan to take out a German warship

Suddenly, last summer by Joseph L Mankiewicz ( Visual )
21 editions published between 1959 and 2011 in 3 languages and held by 1,077 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Beautiful Catherine Holly is committed to a mental institution after witnessing the horrible death of her cousin at the hands of cannibals. Her rich aunt tries to influence a young neurosurgeon to surgically end Catherine's haunting hallucinations. By utilizing injections of truth serum, the neurosurgeon discovers that Catherine's delusions are in fact true and must confront the rich aunt about her own involvement in her son's violent death

The stranger by Edward G Robinson ( Visual )
42 editions published between 1946 and 2013 in 3 languages and held by 912 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
A captured Nazi is allowed to escape from a German war crimes prison after WWII, in the hopes of leading the Allies to a notorious spy who is working to revive the Third Reich. The trail leads to a small, seemingly innocent Connecticut town where intrigue and murder combine for a tense situation

Nicholas and Alexandra by Franklin J Schaffner ( Visual )
11 editions published between 1982 and 2013 in English and held by 638 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
The tragic story of Nicholas II, the last Czar of Russia, set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution

F. Scott Fitzgerald's the last tycoon ( Visual )
1 edition published in 2003 in English and held by 272 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
A penetrating glimpse at big studio politics in the early days of Hollywood; a spectacular translation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's notorious novel

The work of director Spike Jonze a collection of music videos, short films, documentaries, and rarities ( Visual )
4 editions published in 2003 in English and held by 257 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Includes the director's music videos for the bands Wax, Beastie Boys, the Pharcyde, the Breeders, Daft Punk, Fatlip, Weezer, Fatboy Slim, Dinosaur Jr., MC 900ft Jesus, the Notorious B.I.G., the Chemical Brothers, and Bjork, as well as interviews, commentaries, rarities, and three documentaries: What's up Fatlip?, Amarillo by morning, and Torrance Rises

The chase by Arthur Penn ( Visual )
10 editions published between 1965 and 2014 in English and held by 236 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
A sheriff attempts to capture an escaped convict before a bloodthirsty mob lynches him