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Product Description
Based on the true story of a young soldier taken prisoner by the Japanese during World War II to build the famous railroad featured in Bridge on the River Kwai.
From the Back Cover
A true-life story of extreme endurance, survival and redemption, as a disparate band of battle-weary World War II Allied soldiers are plunged into the brutal terror of a Japanese POW camp. Based on the memoirs of Scots Captain Ernest Gordon, To End All Wars tells of the rival values and split loyalties of a group of men kept in a state of hunger and fear, amid the permanent stench of death and disease. Forced to build a railroad through the forbidding jungles of Burma-Siam, the men are driven to revenge, escape and self-preservation. Ultimately though, only by reclaiming hope and dignity are they able to slowly uncover the cracks in the rigid, dehumanized regime of their captors.
Starring Robert Carlyle, Kiefer Sutherland and Ciaran McMenamin.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
War brings out the best and worst in human relationships and this film brings out both in startling clarity. The actors are all superb as they portray people whose basic humanity is strained in the most terrible of conditions. Some rise above the horror of the prison camp, some fall and courage is shown not in how strong you can be but in how you respond when strength is not an option. This film is deeply moving in its own right but to know that it is a true story and that the people actually existed ensures that its power does not cross the line into emotional manipulation. Watch this film and weep!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I brought this dvd with some misgivings if it was, as suggested, heavily slanted on christianity. I found nothing of the sort. I watched a film depicting the ability of the individual to find a spirituality in the deepest, darkest face of adversity. It's release should not have been delayed, in fact the lack of publicity for this film is nothing short of disgraceful, echoing a similar lack of recognition of the lives and deaths of the people involved. 'To End All Wars' serves as a timely reminder of man's ability to harm and heal.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Scarecrow
Format:DVD
Robert Carlyle (Trainstopping, The Beach), Kiefer Sutherland (24, The Lost Boys, Phone Booth), Cieran McManamin and Mark Strong shine through in Oscar worthy performances in this powerful true story of (as the tagline says) the will to survive and the courage to forgive.
Director David L. Cunningham's film, based on World War II veteran Ernest Gordon's book, is a thing of beauty. Never mind all those so-called 'American Classics' like American Beauty and The Cider House Rules. Don't get me wrong, those are excellent movies, but I just see To End All Wars as better filmmaking triumph. The film shows the true horrors that British and American soldier faced in a Japanese prison camp during WWII.
With McManamin and Strong being little-known actors, I thought that Carlyle and Sutherland would over-shadow them. But that is not the case as they act as supporting material to McManamin's breathtaking leading performance and Strong is equally as 'strong'.
But To End All Wars doesn't just have wonderful performances. Every last detail is done to perfection, especially Cunningham's direction. But, there is one thing that does puzzle me and that is if Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black and The Rock are both in IMBd's Top 250, then why isn't this?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
an amazing film tackling the reality of forgiveness and grace - brilliant performances from carlyle and sutherland, I would recommend this film to anyone who asks!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
a brilliant depiction of life in a p.o.w camp in burma.amazing acting by all the cast, especially robert carlisle.for people, like me who have a passion for military history it is a must see film. the film focuses on the argule regiment, based on reel soldiers and there experience under capture and the horrific triles thay had to endure under the japanese.the film is very upseting at times, as it shows some cruel seens. very well filmed and quite accurate historicly.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This film is based on the the true stroy of a survivor of the Burma railway building campaign which was carried out by prisoners held by the Japanese during the second world war. For the purposes of the film certain characters have been conflated and some artistic licence taken.
The film focuses on several well acted roles showing how they cope in different ways with the despair and hopelessness of the situation, with the question of putting their own survival above everyone elses, and with revenge, justice and forgiveness. Very well done and well worth a watch.
THe film has some violent and disturbing scenes, because of the subject matter, but it is very very well crafted to show enough but not too much, there is no dwelling on violence or gore for cheap thrills, in fact in some scenes there is very good use of cinematic techniques to this end.
This movie would make a very good piece for a film club, or a discussion starter especially with young men. It has a substantial reference to Christianity, without being sickly sweet about it, in fact just the opposite, it shows Jesus' teaching as hard and difficult and challenging.
Over all a superb piece of work.
The film focuses on several well acted roles showing how they cope in different ways with the despair and hopelessness of the situation, with the question of putting their own survival above everyone elses, and with revenge, justice and forgiveness. Very well done and well worth a watch.
THe film has some violent and disturbing scenes, because of the subject matter, but it is very very well crafted to show enough but not too much, there is no dwelling on violence or gore for cheap thrills, in fact in some scenes there is very good use of cinematic techniques to this end.
This movie would make a very good piece for a film club, or a discussion starter especially with young men. It has a substantial reference to Christianity, without being sickly sweet about it, in fact just the opposite, it shows Jesus' teaching as hard and difficult and challenging.
Over all a superb piece of work.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By nathan
Format:DVD
thought provoking, moving, emotional in parts and at times chilling. a fantasticly acted war drama which teaches the real meaning of forgiveness from both a soldiers perspective and a christians perspective. its even more harrowing to know its a true story. a must see for anyone wanting to be genuinely left speachless.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By quinny
Format:DVD
An excellent movie that depicts man's capacity for inhumanity and the Christian morals practiced by the POW's that both bewildered and shamed their Japanese captors. In spite of the film's ethical slant, it ranks alongside the best war films.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good summary of many stories
I recently read Ernest Gordon's book 'Miracle on the River Kwai' and was aware of this film having watched it many years ago. Read more
Published 2 days ago by DCheyside
5.0 out of 5 stars
i loved it
my husband is a fan of one of the actors who is in the film but enjoyed it it was getting it
Published 13 days ago by paula beckett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gritty Stuff
More realistic dramatisation of life in a Japanese POW camp, less bridge over the river Kwai. Arrived on time and well packed.
Published 3 months ago by S. P. Macaulay
5.0 out of 5 stars
DVD
This was brought as a Xmas pressure for my nan as she is into war films,she seemed very pleased with it when she received it,
Published 5 months ago by nat
5.0 out of 5 stars
A favorite movie based on a true story of the difference commitment to...
The movie challenges me to live what I believe. The "outer man" of these soldiers was literally wasting away, but their inner man was being renewed day by day. Read more
Published 6 months ago by NatalieC
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
This film was fantastic! I cant think of anything to fault this film, the music is great, the acting superb and the actors did a spot on job of their roles.
Published 13 months ago by dunkace
5.0 out of 5 stars
To End All Wars
I watched this film, late one night having no knowlegde of the film except that it was about POWs in WW2.
I found it one of the best war related films I have ever watched. Read more
I found it one of the best war related films I have ever watched. Read more
Published 14 months ago by PSW
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harrowing but heroic.
This film deserves far more recognition than it currently receives. In the aftermath of the fall of Fortress Singapore in 1942 a group of British PoWs are transported up the Malay... Read more
Published on 15 July 2010 by Dan the man
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
An excellent, powerful film. I could only find it in Amazon.co.uk. The delivery was on time and the product was in perfect condition.
Published on 8 Jun 2009 by M. Cristina Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good
Nice to see an up todate film about the British in WW2. Really good jungle film. Though clearly funded by Americans, ie an american actor in there for no good reason, and POW... Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2009 by Mr. Dean Driver
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