Not really a war film

Rating: 9/10 (10 June 2006)

A great film, but not really a war film...the war seems to be more of a backdrop. The film is built mostly on the difference of ideas, East verses West. The character that Alec Guiness plays is compelling...torn between helping his men, or helping the war effort, more of a " do the here and now" or look ahead....we all seem to suffer to what commonly is known as short sightedness, and that what makes this a great character in a great film. William holden is very entertaining as a selfish, lying POW who goes through great changes from the beginning to the end of the film, definitely some of his greatest acting. This film still holds up to this day and is a definite classic, but in my opinion is definitely not a war film as I see it. If you want to see a film about war, see 1950's Battleground.