Most films made in the years after the Second World War focus on the heroism of the Allies as they battle against the odds; always united. This is different; set in the Burmese jungle it follows a patrol were insubordination is rife and there is constant arguing; largely due to Pvt. 'Bammo' Bamforth constantly questioning orders and having a go at the other members of the patrol. They are working with experimental psychological warfare equipment in an area they believe to be far from the Japanese but while sheltering from a shower they capture a Japanese soldier who has become separated from his unit. Now they have a dilemma; do they kill him or risk taking him with them as they try to return to base? Opinions are divided but the Sergeant decides the prisoner will be more useful alive. The situation changes after it becomes clear that the Japanese know where they are. Now the sergeant decides he will have to kill the prisoner who they have dubbed 'Tojo', although he will do it when they get to a more suitable location. The strongest voice against killing Tojo comes from Bamforth and he is determined to protect him; even when it is suggested he may have looted the bodies of British soldiers because he has a cigarette case marked 'Made in Birmingham'. As the film reaches its conclusion the patrol finds itself pinned down by the Japanese; an encounter not all of them will survive.
While I think this was a good film I wouldn't say that I enjoyed it; few of the characters are particularly sympathetic, in fact the only one without obvious character flaws is the prisoner... and he doesn't speak a work of English. The acting was solid and features several well known actors including Richard Todd, Richard Harris and David McCallum. The jungle scenes were more believable than one might expect given that it was filmed at Elstree Studios; I suspect the fact that it is in black and white might help there. With its small cast the claustrophobia of the situation is obvious; it also means everybody is a 'main character' who is there for a reason; we have the bolshie Bamforth, frightened radio operator Whitaker and a corporal who is not only keen that Tojo should be killed but he is determined that he should be the man to do it. If you want to watch a war film that isn't the clichéd group of heroes fighting against the odds then I'd recommend checking this out; just don't expect a feel good ending.
While I think this was a good film I wouldn't say that I enjoyed it; few of the characters are particularly sympathetic, in fact the only one without obvious character flaws is the prisoner... and he doesn't speak a work of English. The acting was solid and features several well known actors including Richard Todd, Richard Harris and David McCallum. The jungle scenes were more believable than one might expect given that it was filmed at Elstree Studios; I suspect the fact that it is in black and white might help there. With its small cast the claustrophobia of the situation is obvious; it also means everybody is a 'main character' who is there for a reason; we have the bolshie Bamforth, frightened radio operator Whitaker and a corporal who is not only keen that Tojo should be killed but he is determined that he should be the man to do it. If you want to watch a war film that isn't the clichéd group of heroes fighting against the odds then I'd recommend checking this out; just don't expect a feel good ending.