All language subtitles for To End All Wars (2001) BluRay

The following account is based on
actual events during World War II,

when 61,000 Allied POWs were forced
to build the Thailand-Burma Railway.

How I miss Scotland...

and the sea- the sea.

There's nothing like it
in all the Earth -

the 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.

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 & 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
or being the last line of defense,

and we were to prove
that legacy once again...

in the face of defeat...

and capture by the enemy.

Coast of Thailand after the fall of Singapore
February 17, 1942

Sir! Sir!

You all right, sir?

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

And try not shit your kilts.

Bastards are just
playing with our minds.

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.

Parade, halt.

What's that stench?

That'll be death, Major.

Sir!

Parade, right wheel.

Parade, halt.

Left turn.

Stand at ease.

Stand easy.

What the hell
does "tenko" mean?

Must be roll call.

Today, you will
count off in English.

But tomorrow and forever,
in Japanese.

- Start counting!
- One!

- Two!
- Three!

- Four!
- Five.

- Six.
- Big-eared Nip.

Bastard.

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!

Dirty-

Attention, prisoners.
You are now captives...

of His Imperial Majesty,
the emperor.

Behold - the extreme penalty
for those who try to escape.

This is for your own sake.

You will sign these papers
promising not to escape.

- No escape, my Yankee ass.
- This is against the Geneva Convention.

They don't give two shits
about the Geneva Convention.

Tomorrow,

you will bring these signed papers
from all prisoners.

You are dismissed.

Go. Go!

- 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 with the colonel?

You want your colonel back?

Owe the man my life.

- The more hair, the more lice.
- Ow!

A word of advice -
stay close to your cobbers.

But when it comes right down to it,
it's survival of the fit test.

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.

Oh, shit.

Ernie, where ya goin'?

To find out about the colonel.

You're just askin' for trouble!

Doc.

Get him down here.

- Come on.
- Easy. Easy.

It's my back.
My back, my back.

- Eh.
- What the bloody hell happened?

- Looks like you didn't bow.
- What?

Always bow before a guard,
Korean or Jap.

Never look 'em in the eyes
when they pass you.

That's pure defiance.
Always look away. Rules of Bushido.

- Bushido?
- 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, well, 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.

You should've let 'em
take me instead, sir.

- Anything we can do for you, Colonel?
- Ah. Start preparing.

Preparing for what?

Escape. Heh!
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?

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 P.O.W. for a bowl of rice.

Unless-
Escape is impossible.

Excellent.

Yanker.

You find the best
escape route, hmm?

- Ian.
- Yes, sir.

You should start getting
survival gear together, hmm?

Ernest, get things together.

- We can trade with the locals.
- Yes, sir.

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

- Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
- Okay?

- Good.
- Sir.

Good boys.

They're good boys.

That's my boys.

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!

You look like a
sheep-humping highlander!

Come on!

- Yeah!
- Do it!

What are you, bloody chicken?
I'll kick your ass!

Come on, you English fuck!

Well, come on, then, wanker!

Well, come on!

It's enough.

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

Come on, you English fuck!

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

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.

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, lovin' wee wife.

- You're married, sir?
- No, but if you got a sister, I'm available.

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 outta here, I'm gonna go into
business for myself and get stinkin' rich.

What kind of business?

Black market. Prostitution.

I'll tell ya what, mate. You're not gonna make
much money as a prostitute, I'll tell you that.

What about you, sir?

What are you gonna do
after the war?

Start preparing for the next war.

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.

What are we saying, Dusty?

Loyalty, politeness, frugality.
Soldier's duty.

Well, isn't that just dandy.

Carry on, Sergeant Major.

Parade! Parade-tion!

About face.

All show respect for
honorable Lieutenant Colonel Nagatomo,

Chief of Thailand
P.O.W. Administration.

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 our 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,

saviour of Japan!

Saviour of Asia!

We will build this railroad...

if we have to build it
over the white man's body.

It is your purification.

Hmm.

Railroad to be 420 kilometer,

from Chungkai base camp to...

Thanbyuzayat in north.

You will build the railroad
in 18 months.

Eighteen months?

How will my men manage that on
the rations you're feeding them, hmm?

Officers work as well.

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 l 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!

I am sick of this drivel!

- Gentlemen.
- Sir.

Look after my boys, Ian.

It is regrettable, but...

we take each of you
and shoot one by one!

Come on, man.
- Sir!

Until you respect Emperor!

Come on. Out of here.
Out of here!

- Fuck! Fuck him!
- Come on! Come on, man! Come on!

- Fuck!
- Come on, man! Out ofhere!

- Bastard! Fucking bastard!
- Out, out of here!

- Fucking-
- Come.

- Major, what happened? What happened?
- Fucking shot!

- Where's the -
- Fucking - Fucking shot!

It's the colonel's blood.
It's the colonel's blood!

Fucking shot him!

- The bastard!
Major.

Major, the colonel!

You fucking slanted-eyed

- Don't let him go!
- Campbell!

Don't be another!
Enough is enough!

Fucking bastard!

There's nothing you can do.
There's nothing you can do.

How can he die?

- What are we gonna do?
- It's all right.

- What the fuck are we gonna do now?
- Shh!

What the fuck
are we gonna do now?

Just stay down, Major.

"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.

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!

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.

Everybody in there does, too,
except they're afraid to admit the obvious,

and that scares
the fuckin' hell out of me!

Because 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
waitin' 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.

Ifl 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.

The Japanese were
preparing to invade India.

The railway would be
their supply line.

We would be
the means to their end.

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.

I don't know anybody
who could survive that lot.

Oh, Ernie, son.

You are a good soldier...

and a good friend.

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.

Aah!

Bloody hell! These Nip bastards
are eatin' like the Prince of Wales!

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.

Well, I don't know if
I want to survive anymore.

- Open up.
- How did you get the food away from the line?

I have my connections.
Come on. Open up.

Why areyou 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 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.

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.

All right. Uuh.

Shit, I gotta take a shit.

Come on.

Reardon managed to make
a connection to the local Thai black market.

- Lemme see. Get outta here!
- He wouldn't share it with the others...

for fear of being
discovered by the Nips.

At least, that's what he told us.

Good God, Yanker,
that's stinking!

Right there, Major CampbelI,

this is the scent of happiness.

Nectar of the gods.
Our ticket to numbness.

Fermented rice alcohol.
This one's on the house.

Yeah?

Bastard.

He's done it.

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.
Line starts right here.

Two cigarettes.

You've gotta get out of this rain.

Come on. Walk!

Ernie, you bastard!

- You're still alive!
- Hey, Lazarus!

- Back from the dead, my son.
- Well, I kinda wish I'd stayed there, sir.

Bollocks, soldier.
We need you alive. Hey!

- Come on.
- 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.

I learned that
while Dusty was taking care of me,

the major was preparing
his own plans.

Just what,

I couldn't tell.

No, no.

Where did you get the food?

Multiple anonymous donors.

Eat.

I've decided to start school
for the jocks.

A jungle university.

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, em,

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.

- This stench is intolerable.
- Shut your cake hole!

We're doing the best we can.
Get used to it!

Right, lads.
Eh, make yourself as comfortable as you can,

and let's get started, eh?

I'd like to speak to you about Plato.

Um -

All right.

What...

is justice?

Excuse me, sir. Sir.

- Is it true you're giving educational classes?
- Mm-hmm.

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 l 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 it his 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.

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

the pangs of despised love,

the law's delay,
the insolence of office -

Hmm. Looks like we do have
the old Bard after all, sir.

- Looks like we do.
- He'll handle it.

Come on, Foxworth.

Th' 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 th' unworthy takes,

when he himself might his quiet us
make with a bare bodkin?

- That's nice, David.
- Who would fardels bear,

to grunt and sweat
underweary life,

but that the threat...

of something after death,
the undiscovered country...

from whose bourn
and no traveller 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:

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?

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.

Any of you?

Sergeant Major?

Heave!

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 of ours.

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
a thousand strong...

descend on us
with a vengeance.

You can't possibly
hope to survive.

Who's talkin' 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
on the mercy of Bushido?

Aye, now that would be suicide.

Save us the bullshit, Major.

What are they payin' ya, Yanker?

Huh?

Oh, didn't he tell ya?

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?

Ha!

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.

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?

For what will a man give
in exchange for his soul?

- Baht?
- Baht.

You're making a terrible mistake.
I can get you anything you want.

American chocolate, whiskey, American cig -
How about a watch?

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.

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.

This book...

teaches to turn the other cheek.

We read these books,

and we become better slaves
for the emperor.

He says the book is superstition.

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 -

You are dismissed.

Superstition.

I'm still alive, you Jap bastards!

You can understand that,
can't you?

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 draw water.

His example of what we were learning
inspired us to work like never before.

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.

Captain Noguchi says
he gives you your books back...

for you to keep learning.

Captain Noguchi graciously
gives you these gifts...

for being good workers.

What is it?

We're back in business, lads!

- Oi, these are three years old.
- Japanese import laws.

- There's mail in here!
- Oh, let's see it.

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.

Gentlemen,

let's continue.

If we are 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 shalI he strip his sleeve
and show his scars and say,

"These wounds I had
on Crispian's day. "

Old men forget,

yet all shall be forgot.

Meat! Meat!

Beef!

Yanker decided to join us -

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

You're a good teacher.

What's your name?

I'm Nagase. Takashi Nagase.

Hello, Takashi.

I'm Ernest.

I've actually been wonderin'...

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.

Can I ask you,
honorable Takashi,

what are you doing here
in this camp?

Uh, I was classified
low physical fitness.

Prisoner of war camp is not honorable place
for 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.

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.

And as if that weren't enough,

the major and his dangerous plan
seemed ready to explode at any moment.

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.

A conquest whose
original intent was to purify the spirit...

where the true warrior deems his sword
the soul of Bushido -

the key of heaven and hell.

A symbol of what
he carries in his heart-

loyalty and honor.

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.

These damned yellow
Mongoloid Nips.

Actin' as if they built
the bloody thing.

Bloody raiIway of death.

That's the least
of our concerns.

What do you mean?

We've built the railway.

Don't need us anymore.

Those of you to the right of me
will be immediately transferred...

to another camp.

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.

Attention, all prisoners,

there is a shovel
missing from a toolshed.

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

If the shovel is not returned,

the entire company
will suffer punishment.

You will respect us.

The shovel was found.

There was a miscount-

a simple, bloody miscount.

You are dismissed.

What would compel
a man, one 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?

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.

So now you're privy
to the mind of God in heaven?

- No, but -
- I will not tolerate double-mindedness.

I'm stayin'

Well, that leaves five.

Don't worry, boys.

You don't worry, boys.

We'll have our justice.

Major Charlie Fraser,
language.

Sergeant Bingo Johnson,
philosophy.

And last,
but by no means least,

Private Wallace Hamilton, ethics.

Gentlemen,

the graduates...

from our jungle university.

Well, let the festivities begin.

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.

If we are mark'd to die,

we are enough
to do our country loss.

- Go on. Do it.
- Guard. Down. Down.

Come on. 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-

- There's no ammo in this thing.
- Find it!

Old men forget,
yet all shall be forgot.

Shh, shh, shh.

- It's a B-24. It's Liberators.
- How can you be sure?

It's unmistakable, man.

Sweet music, man.
It's Liberators!

Allied aircraft.

They couldn't see us,

but we could sure hear them.

And we knew that the war
was turning.

Speedo, speedo.

Speedo, me arse!

Attention, prisoners.

These men are guilty
of murdering two guards...

who represent
the Imperial Army...

- Give us this day our daily -
- and of conspiracy to commit insurrection.

They have violated the mercy
of the emperor and his benevolent subjects.

Such bad spirit
must be punished.

Honorable Sergeant I to will now dispense
with the prescribed and just punishment.

- Major?
- Amen.

Cor!

Bastard.

I to.

Dusty!

What are you saying?
What are you saying?

Dusty?

No.

No. No.

No.

No! Dusty!

My boy.

Major?
Major, what did he say?

Major, please,
what did Dusty say?

Major!

My boys. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

No, no. No. No!

No!

No!

Superstition.

Do it.

Dusty!

Dusty!

Dusty!

When Dusty Miller died,
something in the hearts...

and minds of every man
died with him.

What we had somehow managed
to hold onto 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 to
fall into the ground and die,

"it abideth alone.

"But if it die,

it bringeth forth much fruit. "

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.

When we heard the planes again,

we thought our deliverance
had finally arrived.

And then it happened.

Hail knights of "bullshito!"

Our own allies thought
we were the enemy.

Give me a hand!

Go on! I'm fine!
Help the other men!

Hurry! Help me!
Help me, Ernie!

Just don't look at it, man.
Don't look at it!

They thought
we was Nips, Ernie.

I almost made it.
I got killed by my own side, Ernie!

You're not killed.
You're with me, man.

- They thought we was Nips!
- Shh, shh.

Don't leave me, man.

Don't you leave me, man!
Don't you leave me, man. Don't leave me, man.

Stay with me, man. Stay with me, man!
Stay with me, man! No!

Get up! Get fuckin'up!

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.

No good. No good.

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.

Could someone please
get me some water?

Could someone please
get me some water?

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.

"To all Allied prisoners of war.

"The Japanese forces have
surrendered unconditionally,

and the war is over."

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 I be
remembered, we few,

we happy few,

we band of brothers.

August 15, 1945
Liberation Day

Where are the guards?

They
- They left.

Fled into the jungle... from us.

Which direction?

I have no idea.

You're a man of true principle
and devotion.

And you know,

I wanna be just like you -
just like you.

Major Campbell?

Ernie. You're just in time.

You're making a mistake.

No.

I'm makin' justice, man.

Makin' justice.

Don't you think I want this?

Eh? Eh?

We all deserve
to see him suffer,

but this is not right.

Hmm?

Hmm?

Aye.

Fuck!

You stupid - stupid wee boy.

Stupid wee boy.

God forgive me.

Oh, God, forgive me.

Oh, God. Forgive me, son.

Forgive me, son.

No!

What is the consequence
of a single life weighing less than a feather?

Bastard!

What is the final
destination of hatred?

When you look in the eyes
of the enemy...

and you see yourself,

Come here.

at what price mercy?

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.

55 years after the war, Captain
Ernest Gordon and former Imperial

Translator Takashi Nagase met at
the Death Railway Cemetary in Thailand.

Ernest Gordon became Dean of the Chapel
at Princeton University for 26 years.

Takashi Nagase
became a Buddhist Priest.

Survivors of the the 93rd Division of
the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.