AKA
Men Behind the Sun, Man Behind the Sun, Squadron 731
Godfrei Ho, T.F.Mous
1987
Hong Kong
This film shows graphicly, the atrocities handed out on prisoners held by the Japanese squadron 731 towards the end of the second world war. The Japanese are losing the war and are desperatly trying to discover new powerful weapons. These take the form of germ warfare, which they test on the poor prisoners with gruesome results. The Japanese scientists show total disregard for the mainly Chinese prisoners and treat them like animals, showing no emotion as they deal out terrible torture.
Just as unsettling is the conditioning of the young soldiers into hating the chinese and Russian prisoners. The youngsters start the film being friendly towards others and are gradually brain washed and desensitised by thier violent surroundings. This film feels authentic and is all too believable in showing the terrible lengths that War pushes human beings to.
Often regarded as the "Cannabal Holocaust "of the eighties this film is as rough a film to sit through as any but is so compelling it forces you to watch. The gore in the film is more convincing than I expected and in one instance, the Autopsy on the young boy is I believe, real.
Only recommended to those with strong stomachs ,this powerful piece of film-making will stay with you for years to come.