TO END ALL WARS makes a valiant and highly emotive attempt to capture the true story of the World War II POW (prisoner of war) camp represented in the magnificent movie THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI, where the Japanese mistreated British and American POWs. In spite of the violence and foul language, mature people of faith and values need to support this profound movie. Overall, the movie teaches valuable lessons, has brilliant acting, and deserves the awards it’s winning. The movie is too episodic, which slightly distances the movie from the audience, but this is a big movie made on a smaller budget. The movie has clear Christological elements, the photography is noteworthy, and the direction is to be commended. TO END ALL WARS contrasts the warrior culture of the Japanese, which demands honor, valor and submission to the Emperor at any cost, with Western culture, which focuses on the individual, and with true Christian sacrifice and forgiveness. Another prisoner, whom they call “Yanker,” is extremely selfish, but after horrible torture, ends up sacrificing himself for the other prisoners. Dusty builds a chapel and witnesses, in word and deed, to Jesus Christ, finally giving up his life to be crucified so that Ian can live. Major Ian Campbell wants to escape and wants revenge. In TO END ALL WARS, the Japanese capture and torture Captain Earnest Gordon’s unit and order them to build a railroad from Thailand to Burma.

War to end all wars