Following 'Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence', there was a short spate of 'regret for atrocities' films concerning the Japanese and their World War Two adversaries. This was Australia's contribution to the cycle. Its longish, slowish and dullish story is based on true events which took place after saboteurs, nine Australians and one Briton, were taken prisoner in the Pacific in 1944. Its characters, however, don't spring to life and the stately pace set by director Peter Maxwell results, despite sincere performances, in long stretches of tedium.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes