GamerTab That was an excellent one.

BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

jotix100 The small foreign community of Sandakan, is jolted as the Japanese invade the island of Borneo. Their somewhat sedated existence is going to take a dramatic turn. At the center of the story is Agnes Newton Keith, an American woman married to Harry Keith, an English gentleman. Their cozy life will take a turn to the worst when all the foreigners are taken into custody and sent into segregated labor camps.The narrative emphasizes the hardship in the ladies' camp. The men are in a nearby area. Agnes, a writer, impresses Colonel Suga, who is in charge. Before the war, the Japanese officer had attended the university at Washington State, while Agnes had been at Berkeley. He had read the book she wrote. Meeting the author is a highlight for him, although being on the opposite side, his hands are tied. No favors should be expected from this soldier, who happens to be a decent man.The life in the camps is horrible. All the women must do with the terrible conditions they have to face. Most of the inmates came from comfortable backgrounds, never having been in this position. The uncertainty of what the future will bring weighs heavily upon everyone. Agnes suffers the indignity of almost being raped by a soldier. She feels it is her duty to report it to Suga, who is receptive and wants to deal with whoever attempted to harm Agnes. Unfortunately, the man below Suga sees it another way. He wants to have Agnes sign a complaint that will surely be her death sentence.Jean Negulesco, directed. Nunnalyy Johnson, one of the best screen writers of all times, adapted the autobiographical book by Agnes Newton Keith. We are told the shooting took place in Sandakan, but at times we get the impression the film was shot in a Hollywood sound stage, but of course, it is only a feeling. The movie reflect the times in which it went into production; it has that glossy treatment that does not make a realistic sense. Not, for that matter, Agnes, and the rest of the women look like the pathetic women they are supposed to be, but the movie going picture was probably not prepared to accept to see them in rags.Claudette Colbert is Agnes. As was her trademark, she is seen from her left side only, throughout the film. She was an appealing actress who gave a good performance, all the time. Patric Knowles plays her husband Harry. The great Sessue Hayakawa appears as the kindly Suga with some moving moments.The film, while not showing anything new, keeps the viewer involved in the drama of these poor people trapped against their will.

Craig DeRoche This film is a true story and Ms. Colbert delivers one of her finest film performances without question. It Happened One Night is also one of her other performances. This war film shows the contrasting differences of brutality and humanity the Japanese Armed Forces was known for and is unique and horrific to see at times. This film is an essentially important film in the way that it should remind us all how fragile our freedoms really are. But it does show how far Japanese American relations came in five years. The performance turned in my young "George" the little boy who played Colberts son is only one of two listed performances he is known for. He was seven years old at the time but appears to be five years old which by design makes the audience feel even more sympathy and anger towards his mistreatment. This is one of my five favorite films.

edwagreen In 1944's "Since You Went Away," Claudette Colbert suffered at the home front. Now, 6 years later, she is a prisoner of war in Borneo.An excellent depiction of what these people went through in Japanese prison camps when their territory was occupied during World War 11.Colbert gave still another excellent performance as a writer interned who braved Japanese savagery and survived.Sessue Hayakawa is marvelous as the Japanese commander torn between having a heart and dictating the traditional Japanese methods of brutality. His heart rendering performance truly reaches a climax at the film's end.Due to his long separation from his wife, the role of the husband for Colbert is not given the opportunity to fully express himself. Patric Knowles was unable to develop his part.

mstomaso Claudette Colbert plays British-American civilian POW Agnes Keith in this true story about a mother's experience in a Japanese POW camp in the South Pacific during world war two. Mrs Keith and her young son experience one trial after another as they struggle to survive with their humanity, hope, and dignity intact for over two years under their captors. Colbert is phenomenal and is given strong support by the excellent Sessue Hayakawa (Bridge on the River Kwai) as the Colonel assigned to overseeing the camp.The film presents its subject matter in a surprisingly non-propagandistic manner, and does not demonize the Japanese as thoroughly as many war-era films. In fact, Three Came Home offers some hope for future friendship and alliance between the former combatants.Director Jean Negulesco enjoyed a 55 year career in and out of Hollywood and is probably best known for Three Coins in a Fountain and Johnny Belinda. Three Came Home was made around the height of his popularity in 1950. His long and successful career would continue for another 37 years. While Three Came Home is not his best film, it is as well made as it could have been, and very much worth watching for those interested in the subject matter.