A superb film - it is a slow and thoughtful. I thought it superior to "!2 Years A Slave". It is a deeply moving commentary on the atrocities inflicted upon allied prisoners of war by the Japanese during World War 2, and in particular upon one individual young British officer. The film shows how he continued to suffer from the horrors of this experience throughout his life until, when he finds out (in the 1980s) that the Japanese Kempeitai (effectively the Japanese Gestapo) officer who he holds responsible for his torture is still alive, he ultimately confronts him. Remarkably he becomes reconciled with him: "I can never forget, but I can forgive." A slow burner but with impeccable attention to detail and superb performances, the film is an absolute triumph showing as it does man's capacity to rise above unspeakable horrors inflicted. I was in tears at the end. I recommended it to my teen (13) daughter who will be travelling to Japan next year.
I haven't read the book - but I am inclined to purchase it as a result of seeing the film. In answer to comments by reviewers on Colin Firth's age - he was 53 when he made the film (born 1960 - film made 2013). The film opens in 1980 so Firth would have been playing someone 3-5 years older than him, which he does with aplomb. Firth's age is a non-issue for the purposes of this movie. Great performances by all the cast.
I haven't read the book - but I am inclined to purchase it as a result of seeing the film. In answer to comments by reviewers on Colin Firth's age - he was 53 when he made the film (born 1960 - film made 2013). The film opens in 1980 so Firth would have been playing someone 3-5 years older than him, which he does with aplomb. Firth's age is a non-issue for the purposes of this movie. Great performances by all the cast.