A real cruel and sad story. Shows the second worldwar in a realistic way.
Very good movie in its category
Several years ago I found a copy of this movie on vhs and picked it up. As someone who is very interested in the Pacific war, this movie caught my attention. This is a well done Australian movie that is based on a true story. It is about military trials that were held at the end of WWII on the island of Ambon, in Indonesia, to deal with mass atrocities that the Japanese committed against their prisoners. There are some flash backs and a few other scenes with strong imagery and actions in it, but Prisoners of the Sun (originally entitled "Blood Oath" in Australia) is primarily a courtroom drama. It not only shows a glimpse of just how degenerate the Imperial Japanese army was towards its prisoners, but it also shows how governments after the war just wanted to forget and move on quickly in their desire for strategic world building. Thankfully, the Australians have not let the world forget about these atrocities and the terrible price that men paid for freedom.
Yes, a very young Crowe does have a bit part in this movie, but he is not the main character so don't expect a lot of screen time. Bryan Brown is the main character, and there are some fairly lengthy scenes with George Takei (Lt. Sulu from Star Trek). The dvd sounds good and has a decent enough, clear looking picture (full screen though, and I'm not sure if it was in any other form originally). As for dvd extra's, there are a few, a trailer, biographies, a small historical text account of the incident, a more recent interview with Russell Crowe and Bryan Brown in which they appear on a Australian tv show or such together and talk about this film and Crowe's early days as an actor, and a musical video "Memorial Day" sung and performed by Russell Crowe and his band "30 Odd Foot of Grunts". All in all these extra's sounds fairly decent for a little unknown film on a heavy subject. However, this movie first came out on dvd in Australian mate, and there were more extra's to be had there, including a "behind the scenes" that featured some interesting footage, "Ambon Pow's remember", as well as documents and transcripts of the Ambon trials, and more! It would not have been so hard to give us the rest of these wonderful extra's and that's very disappointing. Most of the extra's I have on a vcd copy I obtained from Australia, but there are still things I'm missing as well.
All in all, it's a very good (though perhaps not outstanding) film that shows the slow agonizing process of trying to see that justice happened after the war, and the flimsy results that came from the struggle. Good atmospheric piece that grips you in places, and if you're already interested in the subject matter it will probably keep you very interested. If your not one who is caught up in the subject matter or just want to see a young Russell Crowe, you might want to think a little more about getting this. It is interesting if you like courtroom drama stuff, but I'm sure there are more thrilling courtroom dramas elsewhere. Giving an audience courtroom thrills is not the point of the movie.
For a very thorough, down to earth, documented study of WWII Prisoners in the pacific, read the incredible Gavan Daws book, Prisoners of the Japanese, Pow's of World War II in the Pacific. ISBN: 0688143709
Proof, a brilliant allegory about trust, is at once mordantly funny, chilling, and touching. It keeps us off balance from the beginning, challenging our assumptions about everything from the art of filmmaking to the nature of human relationships. The tone is reminiscent of David Mamet and Harold Pinter, but Australian writer-director Jocelyn Moorhouse has a quirky outlook all her own. Hugo Weaving (later known as the villainous Agent Smith in The Matrix), plays Martin, a blind photographer who compulsively shoots photos as proof of the actuality of his existence. He relies on his spiteful housekeeper, Celia (Geneviève Picot), to tell him what's in his snapshots. But can he trust her to tell him the truth? Celia rearranges the furniture so Martin will trip over... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Hugo Weaving - Geneviève Picot - Russell Crowe Director(s): Jocelyn Moorhouse DVD Release Date: Released the 02 November 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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A pre-superstardom Russell Crowe brings enough leading-man wattage to this modest Canadian drama to light all of Manitoba. Set in the prairie country above Minnesota in 1942, For the Moment's wartime romance stars Crowe as Lachlan, a rakish Australian pilot signed on to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which trains fliers for combat duty. With an average life expectancy of the program's graduates no more than six weeks, Lachlan wastes no time wooing the attractive and lonely Lill (Christianne Hirt), wife of a farmer-turned-soldier serving overseas. The two fall in love, and their touching if secretive affair serves as a counterpoint to a more public, and tender, romance between the town's prostitute and Lachlan's commanding officer. Writer-director Aaron Kim Johnston... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Russell Crowe - Christianne Hirt Director(s): Aaron Kim Johnston DVD Release Date: Released the 20 April 2004 Usually ships within 24 hours
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In the mountainous high country above the Australian bush, wild horses run free: Australians call them wild "brumbies." Author Elyne Mitchell's book, The Silver Brumby, on which this movie is based, is about a magnificent silver stallion, Thowra. The story opens on a dark and stormy night in the high country. Elyne (Caroline Goodall), spins a tale to comfort her daughter, Indi (Ami Daemion). The beautiful mare, Bell-Bell, gives birth to Thowra, an exceptional cream-colored foal, with a mane and tail that gleam silver in the moonlight. We see Thowra grow up through several seasons. Winter has its hardships; the herds of horses find survival difficult in the snow-packed mountains. But summer may be even more dangerous, for that's when men return to the high country to try to catch... More Info about this DVD Director(s): John Tatoulis DVD Release Date: Released the 20 April 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Can't believe so many professional critics heartlessly trashed this gem! As an art historian and world traveler who is especially fond of Mexico, I find 'Rough Magic' gorgeous, delightful, amusing, and romantic -- in all, utterly captivating, with flawless attention to every detail from first frame to last. Since purchasing this film recently I've watched it at least a dozen times. Bridget Fonda and Russell Crowe are a dynamic and delightful duo -- hope they'll team up for another movie. I had never seen Jim Broadbent ('Doc') before and would like to see more of his work; my lands, even the dog was well-cast! My advice: ignore the critics and follow your heart to a refreshing treat for the eye, for the soul. More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Bridget Fonda - Russell Crowe Director(s): Clare Peploe DVD Release Date: Released the 06 August 2002 Usually ships within 24 hours
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Like most of the films Russell Crowe made in Australia, Heaven's Burning flies off in directions that you would never have guessed. While it is mainly a romance, it's memorable for its sick sense of humor. This movie revels in the absurd, never taking itself too seriously. The plot is over-the-top, and the actors are smart enough to play their characters straight (with the exception of the vengeful husband, and ex Men-At-Work frontman Colin Hay's verbally abusive, wheelchair-driving hitchhiker). Even the movie's premise is a surprise, and therefore I don't want to reveal it. If you are only familiar with Russell Crowe's American films, Heaven's Burning is a great place to start viewing his Australian filmography. While the ending is a bit predictable and slightly unsatisfying, it is a... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Russell Crowe - Youki Kudoh Director(s): Craig Lahiff DVD Release Date: Released the 07 November 2000 Usually ships within 24 hours
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