Changi

2001
Changi

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 Seeing Is Believing Oct 14, 2001

Now a retired property developer, David Collins has never been able to remember all that happened to him as a POW, but as the date for the reunion draws closer, he begins to recall his horrific ordeal. In his first year at camp, David is badly beaten, suffering temporary blindness. Left by the side of the road, he is picked up by Japanese guards, taking a group of hapless locals to be shot.

EP2 Gordon's Will Oct 21, 2001

As an old man, Gordon is the victim of a stroke that paralyses him down one side. His condition reminds Gordon of the time in Changi when he refused to salute Lieutenant Aso, forcing a major confrontation. Aso places Gordon on a box in the middle of the compound and tries, with a series of increasingly violent acts, to make him salute. Gordon's mates devise a plan to save their friend and make a bit on the side at the same time.

EP3 Private Bill Oct 28, 2001

On his final day as a University Professor, Bill Dwyer is visited by a young student who looks remarkably like the girl he fell in love with before the war. He begins to reminisce with her about his missing years in Changi, telling her about the time he and his mates got their own back on the Japanese, the day the camp was visited by a General.

EP4 Curley Nov 04, 2001

As he practices for his impending driving test, Old Curley is thrown into a panic by an impatient driver behind him. His mind returns to Changi and the time he was caught stealing food. Thrown into 'The Hole' and left to rot in the dark for six weeks, Curley must try not to lose his mind, while his mates desperately think of a way to give him hope.

EP5 Eddie's Birthday Nov 11, 2001

On his 78th birthday, Eddie is giving himself his traditional birthday shave, when his jaw begins to ache. He finds himself thinking back to his final year in Changi, when his wisdom tooth became infected, and he unwillingly attracted the attention of the violent and malicious Captain Shindo.

EP6 Pacifying the Angels Nov 18, 2001

For Tom the prospect of the forthcoming reunion is a mixed blessing: He loves seeing his old mates, but hates where they take him – back to the last night of the war.
8.1| 0h30m| en| More Info
Released: 14 October 2001 Ended
Producted By: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Country: Australia
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.abc.net.au/changi/about/default.htm
Synopsis

Six young Australians go to war, full of confidence and bravado. They land in Singapore in 1942, just in time for surrender. With 15,000 others, they are marched off to Changi prison camp. Together, the six boys survive three and a half years of incarceration. Almost sixty years later, the six prepare to get together for what may be their last hurrah.

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Reviews

shellyjames Having had a great grandfather be captured and sent to Changi during World War two I was hesitant to watch this when it was first screened on TV. My great grandfather kept a diary whilst he was in captivity and when he died over there his mates bought it back and I have been lucky enough to read it and feel I have at least some idea of what Changi was really like, first hand.This is a fantastic recount of what happened to those poor blokes who were sent to Changi Prison and shows what hardship and cruelty they witnessed in order to protect their country. It is a terrific story of mateship, commitment and Aussie Spirit, that never going to give up attitude. It is worth watching if you like Australian History or anything to do with World War Two.I enjoyed this mini very much and give it 10 out of 10.
jkmetz268 I have an advantage in reading other's comments before making my own. I have heard this "accuracy" comment about other movies/mini-series before and I really don't understand people's statements. Visual stories about historical events are never accurate unless they are documentaries. Beautiful Mind, and Seabiscuit are both examples of movies about true events that were off the mark where telling the whole truth is concerned. I liked Changi because it showed the effects of war on soldiers both at the time of the event, and on their future lives. I thought the flash backs, both forward and backward, were fine--after all I want to watch a story that makes me use my brain, not just be mindlessly entertained. I thought the humor at times was sophomoric, but weren't most the soldiers in WWII of the age to be sophomoric? I loved the music, and I thought the "Singing Detective" type transition into song was very believable here, as the human mind in times of stress, pain, and torture will use its own devices to preserve sanity--the song sequences could be the writer's depiction of one way the human soul protects itself. How many of you have experienced completely weird dreams while suffering from an illness accompanied by high fever?--this is my point. As to the Japanese captors and the way they were portrayed--the commander here was, in my opinion, a detached person that let his underlings assume all of the responsibility for the horrid treatment of the POWs while the commander fed his bird and listened to music--totally detached, and I think in the end out of touch with reality. As for Lt. Aso, it was plain to see that this character was both bitter and jealous and took this out on his charges. Lt. Aso was bitter that he was not in the thick of the war instead of being stuck at Changi in charge of insulting, spirited, enemy prisoners. He also could not figure out why these enemy soldiers made jokes to laugh at, and sang songs to buoy their spirits.I also thought the story showed that in a normal situation these six blokes would not have been friends. Their personalities were to varied--from the supremely bright to the un-educated; incredibly brave to perpetually cowering; passively innovative to unbelievably creative. However, under the situation of a POW camp these diverse individuals came together and drew from each other's strengths in order to survive, and in that situation became mates. Rowdy was the father/headmaster figure that the six turned to in times of trouble that was above their expertise. Rowdy also was available to buck them up when their spirits were flagging, and gave them hope that they would survive.I'm buying this DVD for my WWII collection.
theflexinator This would have to be by far the greatest series I have ever seen. I vividly watched every sunday night and purchased the box set as soon as it was available. this is a timeless play written by a fantastic Australian that people of all ages could relate to, whether they are Australian or not, however for those of us that are Australian it truly brings across the typical Australian icon. A must see 10/10
leighton-1 My family and I enjoy this show and find it a fair thumb nail sketch of what the people went through.My own father spent some time in Changi before going onto the Thailand-Burma Railway in "F" Force. Much as been said about the treatment the POW's received, I will just say that my father was 6 foot 1 inch and 196 lbs when Singapore fell, at the end of the war he was 5 foot 11 inches tall and 91 lbs.No show could truly convey what the POW's went through, but this comes closer than most.As the Ex POW's say, "If you didn't have mates you didn't survive." This show succeeds in getting this message across.