this be not typical hollywood fare . to end all war be a redemptive story that feature greek philosophical musing about justice and great quote from shakespeare and and the teaching of jesus about non retaliation and love for enemy . all of this be set against the backdrop of the suffering endure by allied soldier in a jungle prison camp during world war ii . the filmmaker provide a fascinating contrast between eastern and western cultural value and as well a between christianity and the japanese bushido code of behavior . the movie show clearly and refreshingly that the worldview of a people do influence it behavior and and that it be possible to judge one worldview a superior to another . it also show that when human being act selfishly and they lose hope and end up destroy one another . but when we act with sacrificial love toward each other and not only do we stand a good chance of living and we also keep from become savage . what a wonderful and thoughtful film . i heartily recommend it for anyone who be tire of the well worn and formulaic movie that hollywood seem to be crank out these day . if you love mel gibson and the passion of the christ and you will love this film .