To End All Wars

Fictionalized (rather transparently) from a young Scottish soldier's autobiography about life in a Japanese POW camp during World War II, To End All Wars is too over-scripted to live up to its emotional and psychological potential. Methodically narrated by Ciarán McMenamin, who otherwise plays author Ernest Gordon quite earnestly, it's a tale of the sacrifice and redemption of captured Allied troops forced to build a Japanese supply-line railroad (something they're rarely shown actually doing). While director David L. Cunningham appears to be shooting for something heartfelt and dignified, the film is burdened by stock characters (drunken prison commander, sympathetic Japanese translator without the stomach for war), stock situations (the "what are you gonna do when you get home?" scene, etc.), and Hollywoodisms, such as the fact that every major character remains clean-shaven and healthy-looking despite malnutrition and bouts with malaria and diphtheria. Robert Carlyle (as a rebellious fellow prisoner) and Kiefer Sutherland (as a Yank shoehorned into the story for American audiences) help keep To End All Wars afloat, but the best part of the picture is the closing-credits footage of a modern prisoner-and-guard reunion, coupled with real archival photos from the camp depicted. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include both widescreen and full screen versions, audio commentary by director David Cunningham, a 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary, and a trailer. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a so-so film.] (R. Blackwelder)