At 80, political strategist and author James Carville shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Notably, he navigated several key Democratic campaigns before helping Bill Clinton secure the presidency in 1992. Since then, he has maintained a familiar presence on cable news as a political pundit. He also co-hosts the podcast Political War Room alongside journalist Al Hunt. And you can get a lot more insight into what makes him tick with Matt Tyrnauer’s new documentary Carville: Winning is everything, dumbass. The film highlights Carville’s significant behind-the-scenes role in the Democratic Party and his impact on this year’s presidential campaign.

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For Treat, Carville reveals why he’s watching the 1957 classic open The Bridge on the River Kwai almost every night. The film won several Academy Awards, including Best Director for David Lean and Best Actor for star Alec Guinness. The epic war film is based on Pierre Boulle’s 1952 novel and follows British POWs who are forced to build a railway bridge for their Japanese captors in occupied Burma. Colonel Nicholson, played by Alec Guinness, stands out as a defiant figure, embodying the spirit of resistance that resonates with Carville. He says the film inspires him because it shows that no one can have control over you—circumstances be damned.

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This segment has been edited and condensed for clarity.

I watch the opening almost every night The Bridge on the River Kwai. And why do they do this? Because of the defiance in front of (Colonel) Nicholson and the back and forth between (him) and the commander. You just look at it and you’re like, “This bastard doesn’t quit, man, he’s defiant.” And I always liked that. I liked the theme, you know, it was of British soldiers, but it was (essentially saying) you don’t own me.