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To End All Wars
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox film
| name = To End All Wars
| image = To End All Wars 2001 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = David L. Cunningham
| producer = Jack Hafer
David L. Cunningham
| writer = Brian Godawa
Ernest Gordon
| starring =
| music = John Cameron
Moya Brennan
| cinematography = Greg Gardiner
| editing = Tim Silano
| distributor = GMT Pictures
| released =
| runtime = 125 minutes
| language = English
Japanese
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'To End All Wars' is a 2001 war film starring Robert Carlyle, Kiefer Sutherland and Sakae Kimura and was directed by David L. Cunningham. The film is based on 'Through the Valley of the Kwai', an autobiography of Scottish captain Ernest Gordon.
Plot
The film is set in a Japanese prisoner of war labour camp where the inmates are building the Burma Railway during the last three and a half years of World War II.[https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/to-end-all-wars-1200549004/ "Review: To End All Wars"]. 'Variety', Dennis Harvey. June 18, 2002 Captain Ernest Gordon was a company commander with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who fought in several battles in the Malayan Campaign and the Battle of Singapore before being captured and made a prisoner of war by the Japanese.
Cast
Production
It was filmed primarily on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, with some excerpt shots of Thailand. The film was rated R in the U.S. for war violence and brutality, and for some language. The film was produced by Jack Hafer and David Cunningham.
The screenplay is based on the autobiography of Ernest Gordon and recounts the experiences of faith and hope of the interned men.[http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=6806&s=reviews "TO END ALL WARS"]. 'Urban Cinefile' The autobiography was originally published under the name 'Through the Valley of the Kwai',[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/20/nyregion/no-headline-223891.html?_r=0 "No Headline"]. 'New York Times', By DAVID STOUTJAN. 20, 2002 then later as 'Miracle on the River Kwai' (not to be confused with the separate novel 'The Bridge over the River Kwai' by Pierre Boulle). Gordon's book was finally re-issued with the title 'To End All Wars' to tie in with the film.
Post-production of the film footage was delayed because of lack of funding, which was eventually provided by Gold Crest Films.[http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/11/01/features/story2.html "Isle filmmaker makes his triumphant return"]. 'Star-Bulletin', Honolulu, November 1, 2001 Tim Ryan
Reception
On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes the film has a score of 62% based on reviews from 13 critics, with an average rating of 5.9/10.[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_end_all_wars/ To End All Wars (2001)] rottentomatoes.com The film was awarded the Crystal Heart Award and Grand Prize for Dramatic Feature at the Heartland Film Festival.[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/108033946/ "Heartland Winner Returns"]. 'The Indianapolis Star'. Indianapolis, Indiana. November 10, 2002. Page 140 A review in 'Variety' is mainly negative.
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack was never released as a stand-alone release. Various songs have been re-recorded by Moya Brennan on her subsequent solo albums, most recently 'Mo Mhian' on My Match Is A Makin'.
References
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