MovieChat Forums > The Camp on Blood Island (1958) Discussion > Remake ?

Remake ?

posted 15 years ago by lambrettaguy200
4 replies | jump to latest

Years ago when I was a boy, my father had the paperback book from which this film was made. The book's cover, of a prisoner on his knees with head lowered, about to be beheaded by a Japanese guard stripped to the waist, was enough to send shivers through me.

Considering the mess the film made of it, I wonder if there is mileage in a remake ? There probably isn't nowadays, which is a pity if the only film version was a lost opportunity.

Jimmy Johnstone - one of the "Lisbon Lions" of 1967 - first British team to win the European Cup

[–] The_Khazi 13 years ago

The film is ok,politically incorrect by todays standards with Westerners playing Japanese(so bad at times it`s hilarious),and an unsympathetic,one dimensional and stereotypical portrayal of the Japanese.Maybe you can excuse this in 1959 but the Japanese were releasing much more intelligent and accomplished cinema in 1956 with "The Burmese Harp".The film has merits displaying toughness and grit with graphic scenes you don`t expect to see in a 50`s film.Action scenes are exciting and there`s tension as a prisoner snoops around the camp desperately trying to destroy the radio before the Japanese realise the war is actually over and slaughter everyone.The script gets into a slight muddle when the American arrives and never seems quite sure what to do with the character-we`re led on a quite tedious escape with the Yank and a woman when we desperately want to be back at the main camp.Gripes aside it`s an interesting curio-the same Director also made "Yesterday`s Enemy" which is a much better film.

[–] ajgenard 11 years ago

Just caught this on TCM and I must say, I was quite surprised at how good it was. Given the fact that by this time Hammer Films was already starting to focus on gothic horror and sci-fi due to their highly successful Dracula, Frankenstein, and Quatermass adaptations (made with several of the same key personnel as this film) I was ultimately expecting a lack-luster film with little thought behind it. Instead it has some genuine moments of suspense as well as some brutal truths about the Japanese POW camps that hadn't really been expressed in film by then. Granted, it's far from perfect with the now silly Westerners-as-Asians schtick and a script with a very quick final act that I found a little unsatisfying. It never matches the qualities of Hammer's renowned horror films that would soon become their bread and butter but still good in it's own right. I'm gonna try to track down the sequel, The Secret of Blood Island.

[–] Squeeth2 11 years ago

That's just reminded me that I got The Burmese Harp earlier this year and forgot to watch it; remembered Yesterday's Enemy though and watched Hell in the City this morning - Stanley Baker surrounded by women no better than they ought to be.

Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.

[–] vilafire 8 years ago

A mess?? No way. This film is pretty terrifying for its time. And today it would be impossible to remake due to PC culture.