Review of Fires on the Plain (2015) by Ryan M — 19 Jan 2010
A brutal look at the last days of the second World War for a group of Japanese soldiers in the Philippines. Our protagonist is a TB-infected soldier who the hospital won't admit because he isn't sick enough, as he 'can still walk".
He is run out of his unit because he is eating valuable food -- mostly yams -- and not able to contribute to gathering it. He then meets up with a variety of soldiers who aren't much better off than he is.
He witnesses illnesses, cruelty, starvation and even cannibalism in the end. The horrifying events shown are even more shocking in that the story is based on true-life, a book written by a soldier who witnessed all this and probably more.
The only ising that keeps me from giving this a higher rating is the first few minutes of the film. Our protagonist is standing at attention while he is reamed out by his commander. This reaming-out is basically exposition of the story.
I would have liked it more had the action been played out rather than just explained. But other than that, a quality film from beginning to end.
This review of Fires on the Plain (2015) was written by Ryan M on 19 Jan 2010.
Fires on the Plain has generally received positive reviews.
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