Prisoner of War tells the story of British RAF Wing Commander James Wright. Shot down during the Battle of Bataan and captured by the Japanese, Wright is thrown into a prisoner-of-war camp and forced into the ring to fight for survival in brutal hand-to-hand combat against skilled opponents. However, the soldiers get more than they bargained for when Wright’s years of training in Hong Kong prove him to be a formidable adversary.
Scott Adkins, who also developed the story, has a commanding screen presence and delivers a blistering performance as James Wright. Not only does he, literally, have people looking up at him due to his physical prowess, but his defiance in the face of his captors inspires a renewed sense of hope.
“Sleep well, Commander Wright. Today, you were victorious; tomorrow, you die.”
This defiance, coupled with his demonstrable skills in martial arts, puts him in the crosshairs of the camp’s commander, Ito. Equally infuriated and intrigued by Wright’s continual success in the fight pit, Ito sets in motion a chain of events that will ultimately define both men’s history.
Shinkoda gives a compelling and layered turn as Ito. Torn between his duty and his sadistic obsession with trying to break Wright, he becomes increasingly unhinged as tensions rise inside and outside the camp.
The film’s central plot certainly does not reinvent the wheel. Beyond the central protagonist and antagonist, the characterisation is a little sketchy, and its story of survival and escape is recognisable to anyone familiar with the genre, drawing upon elements from war classics as diverse as The Great Escape and The Deer Hunter. What elevates this film above the well-worn tropes, however, is the way that action is used to enhance the story.
It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Here, they let the fists do the talking, and a one-inch punch can write a magnum opus. The fight scenes are an absolute knockout. Expertly choreographed, each round of combat reveals more about Wright’s character. Unlike many Hollywood movies, where action can be overedited to within an inch of its life, director Mandaloyr allows the fight scenes room to breathe. He uses long, wide shots and minimal cuts to emphasise the brutality, but also showcase his actors. The audience can tell the actors are performing these stunts, which helps build respect and connection to the characters. That investment certainly pays off in the final act, when Wright and Ito finally draw swords against each other.
“War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing”. Words famously sung by Edwin Starr. And yet, many would argue that War has certainly been good for making movies. A film that delivers brutality and entertainment in equal measure, Prisoner of War is also a testament to the strength and honour of the men who fought in those conflicts.
Prisoner of War will be available on Digital Download from October 6 and a DVD and Blu Ray release on November 10
Rating: 
Director: Louis Mandaloyr
Stars: Scott Adkins, Peter Shinkoda, Cowboy Cerrone
Runtime: 113 minutes
Country: USA
