Original subtitles

(dramatic music)

(gentle music)

- [Ernest] How I miss Scotland and the sea.

The sea.

There's nothing like it in all the Earth.

Salt in your face, the wind at your back,

and all the world before you,

and you're freer than a bird in the air

or a fish in the ocean.

To be free, I reckon that's why I joined

the second war to end all wars.

(bagpipes music)

I was at the university studying to be a teacher

when the call to arms occurred.

I was only too eager to put aside my studies

for the glory of action.

I stopped reading history and became a part of it.

I joined the proud ranks of the Argyll and Sutherland

highlanders and became captain Ernest Gordon.

My commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Stuart McLean,

the finest commander the 93rd battalion ever had.

A man of deep loyalties to his country,

his duty, and his men.

A loyalty that was soon to be matched

by his own second-in-command, Major Ian Campbell,

a man of passionate devotion to the colonel,

as well as the cause.

And it was our loyalties that would eventually be tested.

The Argylls had a legacy of being the last line of defense,

and we were to prove that legacy once again

in the face of defeat and captured by the enemy.

(explosions booming)

(dramatic music)

(helicopters whirring) (explosions booming)

(speaking foreign language)

(plane engines roaring)

(speaking foreign language)

(men groaning) (muffled yelling)

(speaking foreign language)

(men panting)

- [Ian] Sir, sir!

(speaking foreign language)

- You all right, sir?

- You look the devil in the face with pride, boys!

(speaking foreign language)

- And try not and shit your kilts.

- [Man] Come on, then!

(guns clicking)

Do it!

(gunshots banging) (laughing)

- Bastards are just playing with our minds.

(speaking foreign language)

(gentle music)

(horn honking)

(train squeaking)

(speaking foreign language)

(train hissing)

(door slamming)

- [Ernest] When you surrender in war,

you're stripped of your dignity as a soldier.

All you've got left is your fellow comrades,

many of whom you've just met.

Lieutenant Jim Reardon, merchant marine,

one of the few Americans in the area,

attached himself to the Argylls during the allied surrender.

We called him Yanker, 'cause he was both an American

and a bit of a wanker.

(train whistle blowing)

(train hissing)

(man coughing)

- Parade halt!

(speaking foreign language)

- What's that stench?

- That'd be death, major.

(light dramatic music)

- [Man] Sir!

(speaking foreign language) (dramatic music)

(club thudding)

- Parade right, green.

Parade halt!

Left, hut!

Stand at ease!

Stand easy.

(speaking foreign language)

- What the hell does tenko mean?

- Must be roll call.

- Today you will count off in English.

But tomorrow and forever, in Japanese.

(slapping)

- Start counting!

- One!

- Two! - Three!

- Four! - Five!

- Six! - Big-eared nip.

(thudding) (groaning)

Bastard.

(speaking foreign language)

(thudding) (groaning)

(screaming)

- This is a shame culture.

You make 'em lose face, you'll pay.

Stand easy.

- This is an outrage!

I am a senior officer, and I will not tolerate

this barbaric behavior!

This man has rights!

- Are they?

(speaking foreign language)

- Attention, prisoners.

You are now captives of his imperial majesty, the emperor.

(speaking foreign language)

Behold the extreme penalty for those who try to escape.

(speaking foreign language)

(gunshots banging)

(speaking foreign language)

This is for your own sake.

You will sign these papers, promising not to escape.

(speaking foreign language)

- No escape, my Yankee ass.

- This is against the Geneva Convention.

- They don't care about the Geneva Convention.

- Tomorrow you will bring these signed papers

from all prisoners.

You are dismissed.

(light dramatic music)

(speaking foreign language)

(gagging) (water splashing)

(fist thudding) (gargling)

(Stuart groaning)

(speaking foreign language)

(gagging) (water splashing)

(speaking foreign language)

- [Takashi] Go.

Go.

(speaking foreign language)

(fist thudding) (gargling)

(light dramatic music)

- What did you just say?

- I told him you were stupid.

- Don't know whether to thank you or kick your ass.

Ian Campbell.

- Dusty Miller.

- Where'd you learn to speak Japanese?

What about the colonel?

- You want your colonel back?

- I owe the man my life.

- [Wallace] The more hair, the more lice.

- [Jim] Ow!

- A word of advice, stay close to your cobbers.

But when it comes right down to it,

it's survival of the fittest.

Every man for himself.

Barter is the name of the game, gents.

- They call the hospital the death house.

You don't want to end up in here.

Relish your health now, gentlemen.

It's the last you'll see of it.

- There are thousands more prisoners

in camps all along the river.

Not too much skinny here from the outside.

Japs keep us in the dark.

No radios.

They catch one, they'll kill you.

Officers, try to keep your shirt on.

It'll distinguish you from the grunts,

which is about the only thing that's keeping us

from degenerating into a bloody anarchy.

(light dramatic music)

(thudding)

- Ernie, where you going?

- To find out about the colonel.

- You're just asking for trouble!

(club thudding) (yelling in foreign language)

(Ernest groaning)

(speaking foreign language)

- Doc.

- [Doctor] Oh, no, get him down here.

(Ernest groaning)

Get him up. - Easy.

Easy. (Ernest groaning)

- [Ernest] It's my back.

My back, my back.

- [Doctor] Ah.

- Oh, what the bloody hell happened?

- Uh, looks like you didn't bow.

- What?

- Always bow before a guard, Korean or Jap.

And never look 'em in the eyes when they're passing you.

That's pure defiance.

Always look away.

Rules of bushido.

- Bushido?

- Yeah, their kind of chivalry.

Respect and obligation.

If you don't respect them, they feel obligated to bash you.

Nothing personal.

- Well, it sure as bloody well feels personal.

- Yeah, but it works both ways.

They do the same to their own.

- That's a comfort.

- Now, listen.

You must understand, these monsters truly believe

we're an inferior race, less than human.

Now, beating a prisoner to them is like beating

a disobedient dog, and the fiercer the beating,

the fiercer their dedication to the emperor.

You'll be all right, son.

- Make space for the colonel.

- You're buggers for punishment, you lot.

Get him down here.

- Just there, sir. - Get him down.

- Listen, listen, you should have let them

take me instead, sir. (Stuart gasping)

- Anything we can do for you, Colonel?

- Ah.

Start preparing.

- Preparing for what?

- Escape.

What else, you towheaded yank?

Dusty.

Thank you.

- Colonel, I've been watching these nips.

There's never more than a handful of them guarding

the perimeter at any given time,

and they're not watching very closely.

It just doesn't make sense to me, unless--

- Unless what?

- Well, unless every prisoner's been caught or died

in a thousand miles of hostile jungle.

Unless the local villagers are willing to turn in

a POW for a bowl of rice.

Unless escape is impossible.

- Excellent.

Yanker.

You find the best escape route, hm?

Ian. - Yes, sir.

- You should start getting survival gear together.

Ernest, get things together we can trade with the locals.

- [Ernest] Yes, sir.

- And as soon as I'm well, we're on our way.

- Yes, sir.

- Okay? - Yes, sir.

- Good. - Sir.

- Good boys.

They're good boys.

That's my boys.

(light dramatic music)

- Hey, how about some extra for my colonel?

He's in the death house.

- If your colonel can't make it, it means he can't work.

If he can't work, he can't eat.

Nip rules, move along.

- Come on, pal.

I'll owe you one.

- Hey, you heard him.

He said, move along!

(prisoners yelling)

Bloody sheep-humping highlander!

(groaning)

- [Ernest] Come on!

- Get up!

- [Man] Hey, hey.

(fist thudding) - Yeah, nice!

(fist thudding) Yeah!

- [Man] Do it!

- What are you bloody chicken?

I'll kick your ass!

- Come on, you English!

Come on!

(fist thudding)

- Well, come on, then, wanker!

Well, come on!

What are you bloody chicken?

- It's enough.

What does it take for a man to lose his dignity?

(thudding)

Come on, you English!

Come on!

How far can he fall to pay the price of survival?

(light dramatic music)

Dusty built a sanctuary just outside the camp

called the church without walls.

We were allowed to visit it freely.

They knew we had nowhere to go.

(gentle music)

(water dripping)

(leaves rustling)

(crickets chirping)

- I'll tell you what I'm gonna do

soon as I get back to Glasgow.

Gonna visit my favorite pub.

I'm gonna sink 14 whiskeys and seven pints,

and I'm gonna spend the night in the arms

of my tender, lovingly wife.

- You married, sir?

- No, but if you got a sister, I'm available.

(chuckling)

What about you, Ernie?

- Probably teach.

I've always fancied teaching.

I thought I'd see the world first, though.

- You got that wish.

- Aye.

- When I get out of here,

I'm gonna go into business for myself and get stinking rich.

- [Ernest] What kind of business?

- Black market, prostitution.

- I'll tell you what, mate.

You're not gonna make much money as a prostitute,

I'll tell you that.

(chuckling)

What about you, sir?

What are you gonna do after the war?

- Start preparing for the next war.

(clubs clacking)

(speaking foreign language)

- [Ernest] In the bushido code, the nation is everything.

The individual is nothing.

Conformity is how they gain their sense of purpose,

and they expected us to fall in line, as well.

(speaking foreign language)

- What are we saying, dusty?

- Loyalty, politeness, frugality.

Soldier's duty.

- Well, isn't that just dandy?

(wheels creaking)

(dramatic music)

(speaking foreign language)

- [Stuart] Carry on, sergeant major.

- Parade!

Parade, son!

About face!

(dramatic music)

- All show respect for honorable Lieutenant Colonel

Nagatomo, chief of Thailand POW Administration.

(speaking foreign language)

- I think she fancies me.

- It is great pleasure for me to see you at this place.

You are few remaining skeleton of our victory

and are pitiful victim.

You should weep with gratitude at his imperial majesty,

the emperor, who pity you for being coward!

- What's he talking about cowards?

- Rules of bushido.

They believe the losers should kill themselves.

- You will give me great pleasure to build a railroad

through the jungle to the glory

of his imperial majesty, the emperor!

Savior of Japan!

Savior of Asia!

We will build this railroad if we have to build it

over the white man's body.

It is your purification.

(speaking foreign language)

Railroad to be 420 kilometer from Chungkai base camp

to Thanbyuzayat in north.

(speaking foreign language)

- You will build the railroad in 18 months.

- 18 months?

How will my men manage that on the rations

you're feeding them, hm?

(speaking foreign language)

- Officers work, as well.

(speaking foreign language)

Royal engineer will oversee building.

Where are the signed papers?

- Gentlemen, as you have violated the Geneva Convention,

the Hague Convention, and every human right

for properly supervised prisoners of war,

may I respectfully recommend that you

and your fascist monkeys stick your head up your ass,

because we will not sign your bloody paper!

Now translate that!

(speaking foreign language)

I am sick of this drivel!

Gentlemen. - Sir.

(speaking foreign language)

(light dramatic music)

- Look after my boys, Ian.

(gunshot banging)

- It is regrettable, but we take each of you

and shoot one by one.

- [Man] Come on, man, let's go.

- Sir!

- Until you respect emperor!

- Come on.

Out of here, out of here.

- Sir! - Come on, come on, man!

Come on out of here! (gunshot banging)

Come on, man, out of here!

- That bastard!

- Out of here!

- The bastard, bastard!

Let me go.

- Major, what happened? (crying)

What happened?

Major, where's the-- - Bastard!

- Where's the--

- It's the colonel's blood!

It's the colonel's blood.

It's the colonel's blood! - Easy!

- The colonel's blood!

It's the colonel's, the bastard!

- [Jim] Major.

Major, the colonel!

(somber music)

- No.

No.

You bastard.

- Get him, quick. - Don't let him go!

- [Man] I won't.

- No, don't. - Oh yes, get him back.

- No, Major, no. - No, don't you even dare.

- Ian. - You don't have a gun.

- Hands off me. - Come on, sir.

- Hands off. - I'm not gonna leave you.

- [Man] No, no, Major.

- Ian. - Don't you dare.

- You don't have a gun. - Get your hands off me.

(light dramatic music)

(speaking foreign language)

- There's nothing you can do.

There's nothing you can do.

- How can he die?

Oh, God.

What are we gonna do?

What the fuck are we gonna do now?

What are we gonna do now?

- "Verily, verily, I say unto you,

"except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die,

"it abideth alone.

"But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."

There is suffering before glory.

There is a cross before the crown.

("Amazing Grace")

- Outward turn!

Slow march!

- Cheers.

- I'm not leaving.

- What?

- I said, I'm not leaving.

- What about our plan?

- I owed the colonel my life,

and I watched him die in front of my eyes,

and I just stood there, doing nothing.

- You think you're the only one suffering here?

You think you're the only one--

- Now waken up!

There's a reason why every escape has failed,

and there's a reason why the Japs

don't give a toss about security.

We were fools to think we even stood a chance.

I've got my own plans now.

- You are a selfish bastard.

Come on, Ernie.

Ernie!

Fine!

- [Ernest] Yanker, wait a minute!

Yanker, wait!

You'll never make it on your own in that jungle.

It's suicide!

- Take a look around you!

Take a look in the eyes of these men.

You tell me what you see.

That's right, Ernie.

They're dead already.

You know it, and I know it.

At least with escape, it gave us one thing: hope.

Hope, Ernie.

Because without that, we might as well be sitting in there

with our thumbs up our asses, waiting for the end to come.

Is that what you want?

Let me tell you something about me.

I am not a stupid man and I am not a kamikaze.

If I can't escape, I'll do the next best thing.

I will take care of myself,

and that's exactly what I plan on doing.

- Yanker!

We are all in this, all of us together!

- Sure, kid.

Every single one of us.

(light dramatic music)

- [Ernest] The Japanese were preparing to invade India.

The railway would be their supply line.

We would be the means to their end.

(speaking foreign language)

(rain pattering) (yelling in foreign language)

When you're living to die, every minute is an eternity.

Days are lost.

Months blend into one another.

And the only reality you know is in the moment,

and the moment hangs over you like death.

It's difficult to describe what it's like

to live with permanent hunger in your belly

and the stench of disease and death all around you

with every breath you take.

Malaria, diphtheria, pellagra, dysentery

sucks every ounce of fluid right out of your body.

Your muscles cramp up and your circulation collapses.

- Major!

He's burning up.

Ernie.

- [Doctor] I don't know anybody

who could survive that lot.

- Oh, Ernie, son.

You are a good soldier and a good friend.

(light dramatic music)

(crickets chirping)

- [Ernest] So, this is death.

Dark.

Cold.

All alone.

No more reason to fight, so they give up on you.

In death, there is no second chance.

So that's what you think about when you're dying,

the real value of all that you've done with your life,

and all that you might have done,

if only you'd had a second chance.

(rain pattering)

(Ernest groaning)

(Ernest panting)

(Ernest screaming)

- Bloody hell.

These nip bastards are eating like the Prince of Wales.

- Yep. (groaning)

- Life doesn't wait for the individual,

especially life as a prisoner of war.

If you want to survive, you need a bit of luck, a quick wit,

and a mate to pick you up when you fall.

Where am I?

- You've been unconscious for days.

I thought if I could get you out of the death house

and into some fresh air,

you'd have a better chance of surviving.

- I don't know if I want to survive anymore.

- [Dusty] Open up.

- How did you get the food away from the line?

- I have my connections.

Come on, open up.

- Why are you doing this?

- Hey, Ernie.

Uh, me and the cobbers,

we've been chewing it over, and, uh, we got thinking.

What's the purpose in what we've been suffering?

I mean, where's the justice in,

in nips bashing us and working us to death?

And what's worse, we're killing each other

to save our own skins.

- What exactly are you asking me?

- You said you wanted to be a teacher.

- Yeah.

- We thought that you might have some answers, sir.

- Would you like me to take a lecture

on the meaning of life?

- Oh, that's a bloody fine idea, sir.

- Please, just leave me alone.

- That's what I figured. (gentle music)

- You know, a man can experience an incredible amount

of pain and suffering, if he has hope.

When he loses his hope, that's when he dies.

(singing in foreign language)

(speaking foreign language)

- All right.

Bathroom.

Benjo.

Come on.

- [Ernest] Reardon managed to make a connection

to the local Thai black market.

- Let me see. - He wouldn't share it

with the others, - Get out of here.

- [Ernest] For fear of being discovered by the nips.

At least, that's what he told us.

(speaking foreign language)

(rain pattering) (thunder rumbling)

- Good God, Yanker, that's stinking.

- Right there, Major Campbell,

this is the scent of happiness.

Nectar of the gods.

Our ticket to numbness.

Fermented rice alcohol.

This one's on the house.

(Ian groaning) (Jim laughing)

- Bastard.

That's done it.

- Of course I've done it.

- Oh, nice one, Yanker.

Let's have a swig.

- Whoa, whoa, gentlemen.

You want charity, go to church.

As for me, I'm bartering my way to happiness,

so pony up with some cash.

Anything you got.

Don't be shy.

The line starts right here.

Two cigarettes.

(rain pattering) (thunder rumbling)

- [Dusty] Come on, walk.

- Ernie, you bastard.

You're still alive.

- Hey, Lazarus.

Back from the dead, my son.

- Well, I kind of wish I'd stayed there, sir.

- Bollocks, soldier.

We need you alive.

- Oh! - Hey!

- [Ian] Come on, come on.

- [Ernest] What's wrong?

- He hasn't eaten.

- He's been able to get me extra rations.

- He never got you extra rations, Ernie.

He was giving you his.

Help me with his legs.

(light dramatic music)

- [Ernest] I learned that while Dusty was taking care of me,

the major was preparing his own plans.

Just what, I couldn't tell.

(water splashing)

(Dusty coughing)

- No, no, no.

Where did you get the food?

- Multiple anonymous donors.

Eat.

I've decided to start a school for the jocks,

a jungle university.

(chuckling)

I already made my own blackboard.

Yanker rustled me up a textbook for no small price.

First class is this evening.

I've got six students already.

I know it's small, but, um, It's a start.

- I don't want to be the skeptic here, Ernie,

but how in the hell do you expect to engage

in a group activity without the nips seeing you?

- In the one place that the nips will never go near.

(crickets chirping)

- This stench is intolerable.

- Shut your cake hole!

We're doing the best we can.

Get used to it.

- Right, lads.

Make yourself as comfortable as you can,

and let's get started, eh?

I'd like to speak to you about Plato.

Um, right.

What...

Is justice?

(explosion booming) (speaking foreign language)

(light dramatic music)

(pickax's thudding)

- Excuse me, sir.

Sir.

Is it true you're giving educational classes?

We'd like to help teach.

- Well, what's your story?

- Roger Primrose, trained in the fine arts.

Lieutenant Foxworth here used to teach

Shakespeare at Cambridge.

I'm his platoon sergeant.

Poor blighter's at a loss without his books and the bard.

I figure if I can keep him busy long enough,

he won't end up killing himself.

I'm not joking, sir.

- Well, unfortunately, we don't have any Shakespeare.

- "To die, to sleep, no more.

"And by a sleep to say we end the heartache

"and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to.

"'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.

"To die, to sleep.

"To sleep, perchance to dream.

"Ay, there's the rub.

"For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come

"when we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

"must give us pause.

"There's the respect that makes calamity of so long life.

"For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

"the oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,

"the pangs of despised love, the law's delay

(speaking foreign language) "the insolence of office."

(groaning)

- Looks like we do have the old bard after all, sir.

- Looks like we do.

- He'll handle it.

Come on, Foxworth.

- "The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,

"the pangs of despised love,

"the law's delay, the insolence of office,

"and the spurns that patient merit of the unworthy

"takes when he himself might his quietus make

"with a bare bodkin." - That's nice, David.

- "Who would fardels bear, to grunt and sweat

"under weary life, but that the threat

(whistling) "of something after death.

"The undiscovered country from whose born

"and no traveler returns,

"puzzles the will and makes us rather bear those ills

"we have than fly to others that we know not of."

- In the second book of the Republic,

Plato says, "What will happen to the just man,

"should he enter this world?"

Well, the just man will be scourged, racked, chained.

Then after every kind of misery,

he will be crucified on a pole for all to see.

Any questions?

- I've got a question.

Do you mind? - Sure.

- My question, now if the just man is treated as you say,

then what's the just response?

Roll over and let evil have its wicked way?

- Well, what would you recommend, major?

- Oh, I'd recommend defiance.

Justice for the captors.

An eye for an eye.

- At what price mercy?

(chuckling)

- Yeah, mercy.

The last bastion of traitors and cowards.

- So, you would take a man and crucify him

on a pole for all to see?

- I would seek justice.

(book thudding)

Any of you?

Sergeant major?

(birds chirping) (insects buzzing)

- Blood transfusions.

(sharp inhaling) Donations gratefully accepted.

- Why are you here?

- What do you mean?

- You don't seem to fit.

- Why am I here?

That's a good question.

Before the war I had a fight with a man in a pub.

It was a pretty nasty fight.

He was, uh, paralyzed.

When he came to the police, he refused to press charges.

He...

Just forgave me.

I couldn't understand why.

Then he told me.

He'd been forgiven a debt in his past.

He wanted to do the same for me.

He gave me my Bible.

Told me my punishment was to read it.

Some punishment.

He was an army officer.

That's why I'm here.

- Heave! (speaking foreign language)

Heave!

Heave! (somber music)

- [Ernest] Major Campbell was a natural leader amongst men.

He seemed to draw them from all nationalities and groups,

and he had a way with uniting them in a common cause,

his common cause.

- Better get two more hours. (speaking foreign language)

(gentle music)

The guards change between 5:00 and half-5:00

every single day, so we have to be there, men.

- Sorry, major.

Are we interrupting a church service?

- So, what's the story?

- Major, let's say your plan works, right?

You've confiscated the guns, captured the guards,

taken over the whole camp.

What then?

You have still nowhere to go.

And when the nips find out,

we'll have a regiment 1,000 strong

descend on us with a vengeance.

You can't possibly hope to survive.

- Who's talking about survival?

- So that's what this is, a suicide mission?

- Come here.

Come here.

So, what are you gonna do, eh?

What are you gonna do?

You're gonna throw yourself at the mercy of bushido?

Aye, now, that would be suicide.

- Save us the crap, major.

- Huh?

Oh, he didn't tell you?

Some of his best trades are with the Japs.

Well, how'd you think they get such good medicine?

Ain't that right, Yanker?

You tell them, Yanker, eh?

Huh?

- You are endangering the life of every man in this camp.

I don't think they agree with your idea of justice.

- So, what, are you the voice of the people now, eh?

Or you may be just a wee bit too

Jap happy for your own good.

Ernie, we Argylls have got to stick together.

And you know that's what the colonel would say.

Good boy.

(suspenseful music)

- "Greater love hath no man than this,

"that a man lay down his life for his friends.

"You have heard that it was said that you shall love your

"neighbor and hate your enemy.

"But I say to you, love your enemy,

"and pray for those who persecute you.

"For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world,

"but loses his soul?

"Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

(clock ticking) - Not, not.

(speaking foreign language) (suspenseful music)

You're making a terrible mistake.

I can get you anything you want.

American chocolate, whiskey,

American cigarette, how about a watch?

- [Ernest] The major imagined Reardon a threat.

To him, a man without a sense of duty,

loyal to no one but himself, is already a traitor.

- Shit.

(speaking foreign language)

(light dramatic music)

- No, please.

Please!

It's my school.

It's my school!

Major Campbell struck a deal with the Japs.

I was to be left alone.

In his mind, this was not considered betrayal.

The school had delayed his plans.

Men were changing their minds.

And Dusty had been the catalyst.

(Dusty groaning) (speaking foreign language)

(lever clanking) (Dusty gagging)

(Dusty groaning)

This book teaches to turn the other cheek.

We read these books, and we become better slaves

for the emperor.

(speaking foreign language)

(slapping)

(chuckling)

- You did ask for it, Ernie.

- Well, maybe I should have quoted something

from the song of songs, eh?

(speaking foreign language)

- He says the book is superstition.

(speaking foreign language)

Captain Noguchi says the railroad progress is too slow.

He received orders from headquarters,

requiring us to finish six months earlier

than it was scheduled.

- Honorable sir, that's, that.

(speaking foreign language)

- [Takashi] You are dismissed.

(speaking foreign language)

- Superstition.

(Jim groaning)

♪ I'm a Yankee doodle dandy ♪

♪ Yankee doodle, do or die ♪

♪ A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam ♪

♪ Born on the fourth of July ♪

♪ I've got a Yankee doodle sweetheart ♪

♪ She's my Yankee doodle joy ♪

♪ Yankee doodle came to London just to ride the ponies ♪

♪ I am that Yankee doodle boy ♪

I'm still alive, you Jap bastards!

You can understand that, can't you?

(thunder rumbling) (rain pattering)

(spitting) (coughing)

(screaming)

(speaking foreign language)

- [Ernest] They could take away our books and classes,

but we were determined they couldn't take away

what we had learned in our university.

Dusty led some of the men out of the death house

to help trawl water.

His example of what we were learning

inspired us to work like never before.

(groaning)

And our captors noticed.

As for the major, we refused to get even with him,

to pay him back in kind.

And it began to eat at him.

(flies buzzing) (gasping)

(panting)

(coughing)

(humming)

(train whistle blowing)

(grunting) (speaking foreign language)

- Captain Noguchi says he gives you your books back

for you to keep learning.

(light music)

Captain Noguchi graciously gives you these gifts

for being good workers.

- Aye. - Move, come on.

- [Man] Get out of the way, watch it.

- What is it? - Let me through,

let me through. - You'll get it.

Watch your back. - All right.

What have we got here?

(light dramatic music)

(men laughing)

- Here you go, buddy. - Yeah.

- We're back in business, lads!

- [Man] I'm surprised that they know

that we're really moving.

- Hey, these are three years old.

- Yeah, Japanese import laws.

- There's mail in here!

(man gasping) - Oh, let me see it!

(muffled talking)

- Ow. - Oh, shit.

(horn blowing)

(flies buzzing)

(Jim groaning)

(dog tags jingling)

- [Ernest] From that day on, Yanker never spoke much.

Something had changed inside him.

It was hard to tell whether it was for the better...

Or the worse.

- Chip chip, muckers.

Graduation ceremonies are coming.

I want a tip-top performance out of you.

Continue.

(horns blowing) (orchestral music)

- Gentlemen, let's continue.

- "Marked to die, we are enough to do our country loss.

"And if to live, the fewer men the greater share of honor.

"He that shall live, and see old age,

"then shall he strip his sleeve and show his scars

"and say, these wounds I had on Crispin's Day.

"Old men forget, yet all shall be forgotten."

- Meat, meat!

- Beef! (men cheering)

(light music)

Yanker decided to join us.

A bit late in the term, but eager to catch up.

(speaking foreign language)

- [Man] Here, to me.

- You're a good teacher.

- What's your name?

I'm Nagase, Takashi Nagase.

- Hello, Takashi.

I'm Ernest.

I've actually been wondering where you learned

such excellent English.

- I was educated at Cambridge.

To be a good translator,

I thought one must understand the culture.

- So, what do you think of the British?

- I think there is a lot to learn from them.

- And can I ask you, honorable Takashi,

what you're doing here in this camp?

- I, I was classified low physical fitness.

Prisoner of war camp is not honorable place

for a Japanese soldier.

It is more like punishment.

Shame for his entire family.

- Well, what about Sergeant Ito?

Surely he's the consummate soldier.

- He accepted the blame for the bad decision

that his superior made.

It resulted in the deaths of most of his squad.

- Right, so that's why he's so bitter?

- No.

In bushido, it is an honor to be punished

in place of your superior.

According to our imperial rescript,

in the emperor's army,

a single life weighs less than a feather.

- [Ernest] No matter how good things got,

we were still slaves building a railway,

being starved to death.

Thousands of us in a dozen other prison camps, as well.

(speaking foreign language)

And as if that weren't enough,

the major and his dangerous plan

seemed ready to explode at any moment.

(thunder rumbling) (rain pattering)

(speaking foreign language)

It was a sobering thought when we realized

we weren't the only slaves being used

in the name of the emperor.

They called them comfort women;

spoils of Japanese conquest.

(speaking foreign language)

(men laughing)

A conquest whose original intent was to purify the spirit.

Where the true warrior deems his sword the soul of bushido.

(grunting) The key of heaven and hell.

A symbol of what he carries in his heart; loyalty and honor.

(dramatic music)

(camera clicking)

(branches cracking)

We finished the railroad in October of 1943,

six months ahead of schedule.

A real cause for celebration.

Like we were told in the very beginning,

they built it over the white man's body.

- Those damned yellow mongoloid nips,

acting as if they built the bloody thing.

- Bloody railway of death.

- Yeah, that's the least of our concerns.

- What do you mean?

- We built the railway.

Don't need us anymore.

(speaking foreign language)

(car engine rumbling)

(speaking foreign language)

- Those of you to the right of me

will be immediately transferred to another camp.

- [Ernest] It seemed like the final hindrance

to the major's plan.

Half of his men were split apart that day,

sent away, never seen again.

(speaking foreign language)

- [Takashi] Attention, all prisoners.

There is a shovel missing from a tool shed.

The one who has taken the shovel, return it now.

(suspenseful music)

(speaking foreign language)

If the shovel is not returned,

the entire camp will suffer punishment.

You will respect us. (dramatic music)

(shovel thudding) (Jim groaning)

(panting)

(shovel thudding) (Jim groaning)

(gagging) (coughing)

(gasping)

(shovel thudding) (Jim groaning)

(speaking foreign language)

The shovel was found.

- [Ernest] There was a miscount.

A simple, bloody miscount.

(speaking foreign language)

(shovel thudding) (man groaning)

(Ito panting) (man groaning)

(shovel clanking)

(dramatic music)

(speaking foreign language)

- You are dismissed.

- [Ernest] What would compel a man once so selfish

to sacrifice himself for others?

- Boys, I can't feel my legs.

I can't feel my legs.

- Tonight's the graduation ceremony.

Japs have all been invited.

That means a slim to zero chance of anyone

being left in the guardhouse.

- Major, you're not still planning

on going through with this? (somber music)

There's only six of us.

We lost six men.

I thought it was near impossible with 12.

God in heaven knows we haven't got a chance with six.

- Now you're privy to the mind of God in heaven?

- Well, no, but--

- I will not tolerate double-mindedness.

(somber music)

- I'm staying.

- Well, that leaves five.

(chuckling) Don't worry, boys.

You don't worry, boys.

We'll have our justice.

- [Ernest] Major Charlie Fraser, language.

(men applauding) (men cheering)

Sergeant Bingo Johnson, philosophy.

(men applauding) (men cheering)

And last, but by no means least

Private Wallace Hamilton, ethics.

(men applauding) (men cheering)

Gentlemen, the graduates from our jungle university.

(men applauding) (men cheering)

Well, let the festivities begin.

(bag pipe music)

The music we heard that night was less than perfect.

In fact, it was bloody terrible.

But we didn't care.

In our hearts, we heard what it could be.

We heard the true spirit of the music,

and that was pure freedom. (classical music)

♪ Drawn by thee, our souls aspiring ♪

♪ Soar to uncreated light ♪

♪ Word of God ♪

♪ Our flesh that fashioned ♪

♪ With the fire of life impassioned ♪

♪ Soaring, dying 'round thy throne ♪

(guard groaning)

- If we are marked to die,

we are enough to do our country loss.

(thudding)

- Fucking won't buckle. - Stop, stop.

Guard, guard, down, down!

(guard groaning) (neck snapping)

Come in.

Come on, now.

Glad you could make it.

- Well, the music was bloody awful.

- He that shall see this day and live old age

shall stand at tip-toe when this day is named.

Then shall he strip his sleeve and show his scars

and say-- (clanking)

- [Man] There's no ammo in this thing--

- [Ian] Find it!

- [Man] Come on.

- [Foxworth] Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot.

(Ian hushes)

- It's a B-24.

It's Liberators.

- How can you be sure? - It's unmistakable, that.

Sweet music.

It's Liberators!

- [Ernest] Allied aircraft.

They couldn't see us, but we could sure hear them,

and we knew that the war was turning.

(cheering)

(speaking foreign language)

- (speaking foreign language), me arse!

(gunshot banging)

(men panting)

(sirens wailing)

(gentle music) ♪ You ever wish they shared ♪

♪ Somewhere to go or heal ♪

♪ This burden on your joy ♪

(singing in foreign language)

(speaking foreign language)

- Attention, prisoners.

These men are guilty of murdering two guards

who represent the imperial army.

And of conspiracy to commit-- - Give us this day our

daily bread. - Insurrection.

They have violated the mercy of the emperor

and his venerable sergeant.

Such bad deeds must be punished.

Honorable sergeant Ito will now dispense with

the prescribed and just punishment.

(muffled whispers)

- Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Forgive me, forgive me. ♪ Father ♪

(singing in foreign language)

♪ It's better now, go join ♪

(stuttering) (speaking foreign language)

(singing in foreign language)

(gunshots banging)

- [Ian] Forgive me.

- Major.

- Amen. (speaking foreign language)

(gunshots banging)

(gasping)

(speaking foreign language)

(Ian gasping) - Bastard.

- Ito.

(speaking foreign language)

- Dusty?

What are you saying?

What are you saying?

Dusty?

(light dramatic music) - No!

No!

(speaking foreign language) No!

No!

No!

Dusty!

- Come on, Cockney. (Ian whimpering)

Okay.

- Major!

Major, what did he say?

Major, please, what did Dusty say?

Major!

- Oh.

My boys.

Sorry.

(hammer pounding)

(gasping)

- No, no, no!

No, no!

(thudding) (Dusty groaning)

(Dusty crying)

No.

(Dusty panting)

- [Ito] Superstition.

- Do it.

(Dusty panting) (speaking foreign language)

(hammer pounding) (Dusty groaning)

(Dusty screaming) (somber music)

(Ernest panting)

(gasping)

- Dusty!

Dusty!

Dusty!

(fire crackling)

(birds chirping)

When Dusty Miller died, something in the hearts

and minds of every man died with him.

What we had somehow managed to hold on to for years

of survival now seemed utterly meaningless,

like God himself was playing a cruel joke on us all.

Until I remembered Dusty's words so very long ago.

"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die,

"it abideth alone.

"But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."

("Amazing Grace")

I never found out what Dusty said to Ito that day,

but I knew I had witnessed the power of forgiveness.

- Attention.

Soon all inferior races will bow before the majesty

of the emperor and the knights of the bushido.

(plane engine roaring)

- [Ernest] When we heard the planes again,

we thought our deliverance had finally arrived.

(men cheering) (men applauding)

And then it happened.

- Hail, knights of bullshitto!

- Our own allies thought we were the enemy.

(explosions booming)

Come on, give me a hand.

(crashing)

(speaking foreign language)

(explosions booming) - Stop, stop.

- Go, I'm fine!

Help the other men!

(explosions booming)

- Please, help me!

Help me, Ernie!

- Just don't look at it, man!

Don't look at it, it's nothing.

- Ernie, (whimpering) - It's nothing.

Don't look at it, man!

- They thought we was nips, Ernie!

I almost made it!

I got killed by my own side, Ernie!

- No, no, you're not killed.

You're wounded.

- They thought we was nips! (Ernie hushes)

- Don't leave me, don't leave me, man.

Don't you leave me, man. (muffled talking)

Don't you leave me, man.

Don't leave me, man.

Stay with me, man.

Stay with me, man!

No! (explosions booming)

(lamp shattering) (speaking foreign language)

- Look out! - Get up and help.

- [Ernest] An enemy location was also hit nearby.

The wounded had abandoned their posts, looking for help.

Their arrival at our camp would compel us

to make the most important decision of our lives,

a decision that would defy the bushido code

of honor and shame.

(speaking foreign language)

(truck engine sputtering)

(speaking foreign language)

- Ernest.

Captain Gordon, I forbid you to give comfort

and aid to the enemy.

- Major, those are wounded, dying human beings.

They're no harm to us.

- Ernie, get back to your own men.

- Can someone please get me some water?

Could someone please get me some water?

(light dramatic music)

(singing in foreign language)

(clattering)

(monkeys cackling)

(wind howling)

We were left alone by our captors.

Nowhere to go.

Nothing to do.

An uncertain future,

with only a makeshift radio left behind,

hoping for any word from the outside.

(light music) (plane engine rumbling)

"To all allied prisoners of war.

"The Japanese forces have surrendered unconditionally,

"and the war is over."

(uplifting music) (singing in foreign language)

- "For he today that sheds his blood with me

"shall be my brother.

"Be he ne'er so vile,

"this day shall gentle his condition.

"From this day to the ending of the world,

"but we in it shall be remembered.

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."

(wind whistling)

- [Soldier] Where are the guards?

- They left.

Fled into the jungle, from us.

- Which direction?

- I have no idea.

(dramatic music)

(Ito screaming)

(thudding) (Ito groaning)

- You're a man of true principle and devotion.

And, you know, I want to be just like you.

Just like you.

(Ito gasping)

- [Ernest] Major Campbell.

- Hey, Ernie.

You're just in time, huh?

- [Ernest] You're making a mistake.

- No.

No, I'm making justice, man.

Making justice.

- Don't you think I want this?

Eh?

We all deserve to see him suffer, but this is not right.

Hm?

Hm?

- Aye. (suspenseful music)

(dramatic music) - Oh!

(Ernest groaning)

- You stupid, stupid wee boy!

(light dramatic music) Stupid wee boy!

(Ernest gasping)

God forgive me!

Oh, God forgive me!

Oh, God forgive me, son!

Forgive me, son.

- No!

(Ito groaning)

(Ian gasping)

What is the consequence of a single life

weighing less than a feather?

- Bastard!

Bastard!

- [Ernest] War is the final destination of hatred.

(Ian crying)

When you look in the eyes of the enemy,

and you see yourself.

- Come here.

Come here.

(Ian sobbing)

- [Ernest] At what price mercy?

(thudding)

Who is my neighbor?

How many times shall I forgive my brother?

What does it mean to love one's enemies?

What can a man give in exchange for his soul?

These are the questions that I faced in my prison camp.

The answers changed my life forever.

(gentle somber music) (singing in foreign language)

(bagpipe music)

(singing in foreign language)

♪ Find the place where the swords cannot go ♪

♪ Where the guns can no longer be heard ♪

♪ Find the place where the flames cannot burn ♪

♪ If we'll live one day we'll learn ♪

(gentle somber music)

(bagpipe music)

(drums rolling)

(gentle somber music) (singing in foreign language)

♪ Father (speaking foreign language) ♪

♪ It's better now, go join ♪

(singing in foreign language)