When Singapore surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, the Allied POWs, mostly British but including a few Americans, were incarcerated in Changi prison. Among the American prisoners is Cpl. King, a wheeler-dealer who has managed to establish a pretty good life for himself in the camp. King soon forms a friendship with an upper-class British officer who is fascinated with King's enthusiastic approach to life.
Acting
George Segal's magnetic, morally slippery performance as the antihero you can't hate.
Direction
Forbes strips war heroics bare — no glory, just grubby survival.
Writing
Adapted from James Clavell's own Changi experience; authenticity drips from every scene.
Director
Bryan Forbes
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
James Clavell wrote the novel from his own 1942 Changi imprisonment; he weighed 90 pounds at liberation.
The film intentionally subverted 1960s war movie conventions by making the American hustler the hero and British officers the villains.
US
