This is the story of how Canadian servicemen were thoughtlessly hung out to dry and endure the onslaught of the Japanese Imperial Army during the latter's take-over of the British colony of Hong Kong in December of 1941.
One of the great questions arising from the documentary is how a group of soldiers who were previously serving barracks duty in the Jamaica could be put in harm's way, let alone confront the fearsome Japanese. The filmmakers re-construct the chain of events expertly, thereby allowing the viewer to inhabit an emotion of outrage on behalf of those Canadian troops.
Contrary to another reviewer's opinion, I hold that there is ample evidence in the film which documents the wholesale neglect claimed by the film's directors. Not only does the Canadian government look awful but so too do the British. By letting racist constructs determine their level of preparedness, the British added to the tragedy.
This film is a testament to the notion that governments determine when wars are fought and citizens are the ones who pay the ultimate consequences.
One of the great questions arising from the documentary is how a group of soldiers who were previously serving barracks duty in the Jamaica could be put in harm's way, let alone confront the fearsome Japanese. The filmmakers re-construct the chain of events expertly, thereby allowing the viewer to inhabit an emotion of outrage on behalf of those Canadian troops.
Contrary to another reviewer's opinion, I hold that there is ample evidence in the film which documents the wholesale neglect claimed by the film's directors. Not only does the Canadian government look awful but so too do the British. By letting racist constructs determine their level of preparedness, the British added to the tragedy.
This film is a testament to the notion that governments determine when wars are fought and citizens are the ones who pay the ultimate consequences.
