This movie is based on actual events during World War 11 when 61,000 Allied POW’s were forced to build the Thailand-Burma Railway. The way they are treated is horrendous in this film, as they are bullied, tortured, beaten, and underfed.
One soldier is a loner, caring only for himself. Later, after he is captured and tied to the ground to endure a night of hard rain in the face, he changes and stands with his fellow captors. When the leader of the camp tells the men a shovel is missing and the entire camp will pay the price for it unless someone confesses, this soldier, no longer the loner, comes forward. He is beaten with a shovel in the back until he loses feeling in his legs. It is at this point a commander runs in to explain the missing shovel has been found and the leader then beats his own man.
Although the film features themes of forgiveness and sacrifice, such as the men ministering to the Japanese wounded at war’s end, the violence level is strong. There are scenes of graphic shooting and men being executed. One man is crucified and the scene is vivid with the spikes being clearly seen in his wrists and the blood flowing freely. Due to the violent content level, and the smoking scenes being a constant throughout the movie, we are unable to award our Dove Seal to this movie as a family-friendly film.