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Tenko : Complete BBC Series Box Set
RRP: £149.99
Our Price: £55.29 (subject to change)
The Tin Cake
Review date: 2008-08-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a very well-written and well-acted series, set around the story of a group of British, Australian, Dutch and Eurasian women in a Japanese POW camp during World War II. The characters are complex and have considerable depth: the plots that develop are true to the characters involved in them. We see their doubts and their failings and some of the reasons behind their more unpleasant actions: as a result, you find yourself sympathising with individuals who would normally only arouse your judgement. Not all the Japanese are brutes; not all the prisoners are saints.
The series also scores highly in the accuracy stakes. Somebody did a lot of research: not only is the broad thrust accurate (the impoverished circumstances of the shipwrecked British compared to the Dutch who were able to bring a few possession; the place of Eurasians in Colonial society) but also the tiny details (the tin birthday cake in an early episode comes straight out of a camp memoir). The women aren't thin enough, though, as that would be impossible: by the time they were liberated, female survivors often weighed in at less than six stone.
As a nation, we tend to be forgetful about World War II as it played out in the Far East, and this series is a good corrective. It's accurate enough to educate anyone interested in finding out what happened to civilian internees, and it's worth watching as a drama for its own merits.
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Reviews
Enthralled .... from beginning to end
Review date: 2008-04-26 Rating: 10 out of 10
I found the TV series unmissable when I first saw it. I was given the complete DVD set for my 70th and was hooked all over again.
Acting, writing and sets all first class.
Why no subtitles - hard for my husband (who is hard of hearing) to enjoy it.
A fantastic drama, just try not to get addicted!
Review date: 2008-03-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
I received this for Christmas, and proceeded to watch the whole box set over the Christmas holidays. It really is fantastic, the acting is superb, and you completely forget that it's really filmed at a specially constructed location in England.
The characters are fully developed and you find yourself following the story of each one as the series progresses and the original group is split. Even if you are only mildly interested, I would wholeheartedly recommend taking the plunge and buying this, however only if you haven't got anything important coming up in your schedule!
A Brilliant Drama
Review date: 2007-03-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
I remember watching this series when it was originally broadcastback when I was in my very early teens.
This stands out as one of the greatest british drama series of the last 30 years and certainly ranks as one of the best british series to have ever been made.
Focusing on a group of ex-patriot women living in Singapore at the outbreak of hostilities on that continent and focusing on their trials under the brutal regime of their captors, and the bonds that remain between them right through to their liberation captivity I would advise anyone that is considering buying this DVD to buy it, at times difficult to watch, this is a must have.
a great set
Review date: 2006-11-15 Rating: 10 out of 10
this series was brilliant to watch first time round,now i'm older it's even better.to have the whole set is brilliant.War time women coping with horrendous conditions in a japanese prisoner of war camp shows just what women had to go through.A superb cast and series.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Louise Jameson
Stephanie Cole
Stephanie Beacham
Ann Bell
Jean Anderson
Creators:
Stephanie Cole (Primary Contributor)
Stephanie Beacham (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: Acorn Media
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
EAN: 5036193090554
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 12
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2005-07-11
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 999 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)