chrissso
Many of the BBC WW2 television series from 1970 to 1990 leave something to be desired. Shows such as Secret Army, Island at War, Wish Me luck or Enemy at the Door certainly illustrate unique historical settings and perpetuate the WW2 narrative, but the way they were produced is a problem. They feel low budget, stagey, over dramatic, slow paced and frequently utilize annoying close up camera shots of character faces. 1981's Tenko is no exception, suffering from all of the aforementioned, but there's something about Tenko that grows on you. Simply put it is the story arc and its resulting character development.The series features a very compelling cast of characters and the journey these women travel is quite remarkable; from the posh life of a British colony
to the fall of Singapore in February 1942
through four years in Japanese POW camps
to sudden freedom and the effort to fit back into society after the most devastating war of all time
to their reunion five years later
their characters and relationships are developed magnificently.It is not an easy watch. At times it is a full on chick flick filled with dramatics, small talk and female problems. The 30 plus episodes are filled with desperation, suffering and tragedy but the journey and historical context are well worth the effort. Noteworthy is the fact the series illustrates the British colonial system in its fading glory as well as the post war power vacuum that it created (communist power grab). The series shows us an amazing and unpredictable journey of a group randomly thrown together, under the worst possible conditions. It teaches of the cruel mortality of war (note Rose's death). Finally it shows us how such an experience shape characters and friendships and life decisions for generations. It is a remarkable series! 9 of 10 stars!POST: Other films addressing the Japanese POW camps; Changi, Three Came Home, Paradise Road, The Railway Men and Unforgiven
ksandness
I can only agree with the praise from other reviewers.As movie reviewers Siskel and Ebert used to say, you come to care about these people.The situations are absorbing, full of suspense and moral dilemmas, and the actresses are uniformly excellent. In subsequent years, whenever I've seen one of them again in another context (Ann Bell, Rosemary Martin, Jean Anderson, and Elizabeth Chambers have shown up in other British dramas that have played in the States), it's been like meeting an old friend.I discovered this series when it played on A&E (back when A&E was actually "artistic" and "entertaining"), but unfortunately, I never saw the first half of the first season. I was sorry when the series ended and even more sorry that it was never repeated.I wish that someone would rebroadcast it or that the DVDs would be made available in the States. However, people who own region-free DVD players can order the series from retailers such as Amazon UK, as I have done with this and several other series that have never been released in the U.S.
toonnnnn
I watched this programme years ago, recently I have purchased series one and two on dvd they are still powerfull.The will to survive is very strong in human beings even in a prison camp.All aspects of life are racism loyalty and above all freindship the pain of the heroines hurts at times you laugh and cry.The acting and writing is wonderful I must mention Stephanie Cole who as the doctor is out of this world.Watch and enjoy if only the BBC could get back to this type of drama.
Jools-10
Forget Paradise Road! If you really want to have any idea what the women who were prisoners of war of the Japanese this is the series to watch. At times the make up department are so realistic that you do not know these sores are not part of the women. What the men and women went through in these camps is nothing short of Hell. If the fact of malnutrition and hard work didn't kill you the malaria would! Congratulations to everyone who worked on this production because unlike Paradise Road they actually did their homework to make this as real as possible!