To End All Wars
Synopsis
To End All Wars is the true story of Ernest Gordon, a young Scottish student teacher who signs up with The Argyll and Sutherland Highland regiment at the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1942, during the fall of Singapore, the regiment is captured by the Japanese and taken to a prisoner of war camp in Thailand.
Despite the threat of execution, the regiment's proud Colonel James MacLean and his loyal Major Ian Campbell are committed to escape and defiant in the face of their implacable captors. Established prisoners, including Dusty Miller advise compliance in line with the Japanese code of Bashido, which demands dedication to the Emperor. Also held in the camp is American Lieutenant Tom Reardon, an opportunist who believes self-interest is the only reliable method of survival.
MacLean and Campbell are ordered to meet with Lieutenant Colonel Nagatomo and Captain Noguchi and learn that they have 18 months to build 420 kilometres of railroad into the jungle. When MacLean protests and robustly refuses to sign documents pledging they will not escape, he is executed.
Work on the 'railroad of death' begins in appalling conditions. Famine, fear and disease sweep through the men as they buckle under the strain.
Details
- Year
- 2002
- Type of film
- Features
- Running Time
- 124 mins
- Format
- 35mm Kodak
- Director
- David L Cunningham
- Producer
- Scott Walcheck, Greg Newman, John Quested
- Editor
- Tim Silano
- Screenwriter
- Brian Godawa
- Director of Photography
- Greg Gardiner
- Music
- John Cameron, Maire Brennan
- Principal Cast
- Robert Carlyle, Kiefer Sutherland, Ciaran McMenamin
Genre
Production status
Complete
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Last updated 26th November 2005
