We all know about Nuremberg, the Nazi leadership was sentenced to death, but what about their allies the Japanese Empire? To some historians, the Japanese POW was on par with the Nazi's Death camp where most Allied POWs never made it out.The movie Prisoners of the Sun shows one of the few court where following orders is just as bad as murdering. Just because he is following orders, he is still held accountable. George Taki plays the sly Admiral who manage to wheeze his way without admitting guilt. Lt. Tanaka who in fact was a Christian, but let the loyalty of his country cloud his judgment. Captain Ikeuchi is the savage camp commandant and no doubt was the sole person behind the war crimes.The movie itself was great acting with nothing you could see except are facts, most was real emotions I'm sure from the actor especially playing a heavy role here. Now on to the entertainment value, there is none. This movie itself is a historical docudrama and there is no kissing sex or any of that garbage here. The purpose is to open a dark window of what happened in the Japanese death camps that we know so little about. Even the Nazi death camps are very well documented compared to here.I recommend seeing this movie not for its entertainment value, but a history lesson of what really happen and how men can become monsters. It is a history to learn so that we don't repeat it again.

There's an underlying factor about the design of a film like "Prisoners of the Sun" that doesn't allow for much leeway or originality. Much like similar films in this vein, the clichéd factors are unavoidable. There's to be the prosecutor with anger issues, the stoic (and typically un-convictable) evil leader, and finally, the sacrificial lamb.So, as it is with "Breaker Morant", the quality lies directly with those actors involved. Don't be fooled by Russell Crowe's recent high billing - he is certainly not a star. In fact, he is very nearly unnoticeable amidst the larger happenings around him. The main standout performances belong to Bryan Brown and John Polson. Polson, certainly, gives a lot to the role. He is broken, nervous and jumpy, and highly convincing.The development is rather predictable, I suppose, but the acting manages to carry it through. Overall, this is a good film - not great, but well considered.RATING: 6.9 out of 10

This 1990 Aurstralian feature is based on the real-life tribunal in 1945 held to investigate atrocities committed during WWII. At an interment camp, the Japanese tortured and slaughtered 1100 Australian soldiers. Three hundred survived, nearly most scarred, suicidal and suffering post traumatic disorder. This horrific event went relatively unknown until a mass grave of decapitated corpses was found. Captain Cooper(Bryan Brown)is chosen to prosecute Vice-Admiral Baron Takahashi(George Takei) commander of the Japanese on the island of Ambon. Who ordered who to do what? Dark story with graphic images. The strong cast includes: Terry O'Quinn, Toshi Shioya, Deborah Unger, Jason Donovan, Kazuhiro Muroyama and a young Russell Crowe.

There is a video for this film and it is a good one. The story, a post WW2 investigation of atrocities committed against allied prisoners of war by the Japanese Imperial Army, is a gripping one with an ironic twist. George Takei, the lovable Sulu from the old Star Trek plays a first class slime. Bryant Brown is dynamic (isn't he always) and there are other excellent performances turned in by Japanese actors Tetsu Watanabe and Toshi Shioya. This is not a film for the faint of heart. The story line often presented in flashback is tense and intense. The final scenes with their political agendized justice leaves all us with much to ponder. An excellent film in many respects. A wrenching portrait of a terrible time in our history. Check it out.