Starting with their capture, this story pulls you through World War II in the eyes of Scottish POWs in a Japanese POW camp in Thialand where they triumph and succumb to the Japanese, nature and themselves.
--- Well first of all, I should say the title is misleading, "To End All Wars" is by no means a war movie -- it's a POW movie and a very different one at that. There's no grand escape plan or revolt, instead it chooses to concentrate on the mental and moral aspect of being held against your will, facing punishment, torture and having no idea what will happen tomorrow or how long you will stay alive.
The plot is expertly put together and deeply rooted around the question: Should you turn the other cheek or have your revenge, do you have it in you to forgive your enemy? There are plenty of characters involved in the movie and each one, from the main character to the smallest part, has to ask themselves that question, and by the end of the movie you will too.
The biggest drawback is that the movie is drawn out a little, much like Fargo seemed to me, but by the end I was so involved I didn't even notice. Other than that it introduces you to the violence that went on in this camp fairly early on in the movie, and it's exceptionally violent (and not for the faint of heart). It easily exceeds the level of violence in Saving Privite Ryan in some of the parts. Yet for all the violence, it does not glorify it at all. And that's where the plot comes in, "can you love your enemy?" After all they did to you? That's the question consistently asked.
The acting is fairly well done for both sides. Robert Caryle plays the part of Devil's Advocate, wanting revenge for most of the movie and Kiefer Sutherland portrays a loner who for part of the movie tries to survive on his own until he realizes he won't be able to get through this without friends. The main character, Ernest Gordon, is inspired by a religious Dusty who's presence boosts moral throughout the whole camp. There are plenty of other smaller roles both POW and Japanese, and at times it may get confusing but this does not hinder the movie.
The music is aptly used only in the most dramatic and vital parts. And in some scenes is really well done. The tracks themselves are enjoyable, except for one or two (Although to be fair some of them were unoriginal).
To End All Wars, although slightly slow and violent is surprising good for a movie most people have every heard of. It's definitely not a light-hearted movie, but if you ever get a chance to see it you should.
--- Well first of all, I should say the title is misleading, "To End All Wars" is by no means a war movie -- it's a POW movie and a very different one at that. There's no grand escape plan or revolt, instead it chooses to concentrate on the mental and moral aspect of being held against your will, facing punishment, torture and having no idea what will happen tomorrow or how long you will stay alive.
The plot is expertly put together and deeply rooted around the question: Should you turn the other cheek or have your revenge, do you have it in you to forgive your enemy? There are plenty of characters involved in the movie and each one, from the main character to the smallest part, has to ask themselves that question, and by the end of the movie you will too.
The biggest drawback is that the movie is drawn out a little, much like Fargo seemed to me, but by the end I was so involved I didn't even notice. Other than that it introduces you to the violence that went on in this camp fairly early on in the movie, and it's exceptionally violent (and not for the faint of heart). It easily exceeds the level of violence in Saving Privite Ryan in some of the parts. Yet for all the violence, it does not glorify it at all. And that's where the plot comes in, "can you love your enemy?" After all they did to you? That's the question consistently asked.
The acting is fairly well done for both sides. Robert Caryle plays the part of Devil's Advocate, wanting revenge for most of the movie and Kiefer Sutherland portrays a loner who for part of the movie tries to survive on his own until he realizes he won't be able to get through this without friends. The main character, Ernest Gordon, is inspired by a religious Dusty who's presence boosts moral throughout the whole camp. There are plenty of other smaller roles both POW and Japanese, and at times it may get confusing but this does not hinder the movie.
The music is aptly used only in the most dramatic and vital parts. And in some scenes is really well done. The tracks themselves are enjoyable, except for one or two (Although to be fair some of them were unoriginal).
To End All Wars, although slightly slow and violent is surprising good for a movie most people have every heard of. It's definitely not a light-hearted movie, but if you ever get a chance to see it you should.