Blood Oath (Prisoners of the Sun) (1990)
OCCASIONAL VIOLENCE
| Director: | Stephen Wallace |
| Actors: | George Takei, Bryan Brown, Russell Crowe, John Polson, Deborah Unger |
While rummaging through his father's garage, Screenwriter Brian A. Williams uncovered a forgotten piece of Australian history - inside an old shoebox he found transcripts of the largest war crime trial ever conducted, larger even than the famous Nuremberg trials; along with photos of human skulls and graves.
These transcripts unlocked the startling true story behind the wartime atrocities and controversial trials held in 1946 on the island of Ambon... the planned launching pad for the Japanese invasion of Australia.
The stories of the sadistic beatings, torture and mass murder sent shockwaves through the ensuing trials, culminating in an explosive showdown between Australian justice, American politics and the Japanese code of honour.
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe ("Gladiator") in his debut feature film, Bryan Brown ("Two Hands"), George Takei ("Star Trek"), Deborah Unger ("Hurricane") and John Polson ("Mission Impossible 2") head a brilliant cast in the movie that dramatically reveals for the first time the shattering secrets trapped within a BLOOD OATH.
| Status: | LongWait |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 108mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRALIA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.78:1 |
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Member Reviews (9)
9 Member
Reviews
1/03/13
says
A sad story. War is so futile.
phil
says
Only a small section of the truth more needs to be told about similar stories.
The truth will prevail
Ath
says
If you like your Australian / War history this is for you. Pretty boring screen rendition though.
JYA
says
The script was a bit flat, but I suppose the wirter didnt have much to work with. The acting was good, altough at times a little 'too directed' which made the actors look false. The anger didnt follow throrugh in actions from both sides, a little more physical action may have made the story more realistic. Bryan Brown did a good job (I usually like his acting), but felt the surrounding cast at times let the feel of the story slip through. perhaps more of a background story from the Japenese side and morelead up information before the story took place would have been good.
Don
says
A remarkably well filmed and presented movie. Apart from being a more or less
reasonably accurate version of a trial of Japanese war criminals on the Island of
Ambon, it also presents the moral dilemma of people (the Allies) trying both to
exact revenge on their erstwhile enemies and to maintain justice and fairness at
the same time -- something many of the characters in the film, on both sides, find
nearly beyond their ability. Was the killing of thousands of Japanese civilians by
dropping the atom bomb "just", while the killing of Australian reconniasance pilots
by the Japanese a "war crime"? To what extent is a soldier to be held guilty for
obeying orders from above (the principle in the Nurenberg trials); and to what
extent is that soldier's fear of his own execution if he does not obey orders a
reson for obeying orders? -- Although entirely filmed on a set in Queensland, the
movie is pretty convincing in its attempt to pretend it is Ambon. All the acting is
very good to superb.
Margaret C.
says
This was a in your face movie about the japanese treatment of pow's etc. And shows how the USA likes to control things to suit themselves. Always love Brian Brown
Jason G.
says
Good look at justi9ce in a world still really at War.
tiborg
says
Good movie.The story is politically incorrect these days,but the message is loud and clear. Politicians allways win over truth, or the minnow get caught and the shark swims free.
Verity Daly
says
Most interesting.