Watch On Tour: River Kwai - Travelling The Route Of The Railway Of Death

On Tour: River Kwai - Travelling The Route Of The Railway Of Death is a documentary film that takes the audience on an insightful journey along the infamous Death Railway known for its arduous construction by prisoners of war during World War II. This railway, also known as the Burma Railway, runs for almost 415 km through the dense jungles of Thailand and Burma (now Myanmar) and was intended to bridge the gap between Bangkok in Thailand and Rangoon in Burma.

The film follows the journey of a group of travellers who embark on a tour along the same route that the prisoners of war were forced to build between 1942 and 1943. The group is led by historian Rod Beattie, who has extensive knowledge of the Death Railway and is passionate about sharing this history with others. As they travel along the railway, they are shown various landmarks and sites that hold significant historical significance to the construction of the railway.

One of the significant places that the group visits is the Hellfire Pass, which is a part of the railway that runs through a rocky outcrop of the Kanchanaburi province. This pass is considered to be one of the toughest sections of the railway, and the prisoners were forced to dig through solid rock with just hammers and chisels. The scene at Hellfire Pass offers insights into the harsh working conditions that the prisoners had to endure and reveals the emotional toll that the railway construction had on them.

As the group continues their journey, they visit various prison camps where the prisoners of war were lodged during the construction of the railway. These camps bring to light the appalling treatment of prisoners at the hands of the Japanese forces. The group also visits the War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, where thousands of allied soldiers who died during the construction of the Death Railway are buried.

A significant highlight of the documentary is the story of Eric Lomax, a former prisoner of war who wrote a book about his experiences while building the Death Railway. Eric Lomax's wife, Patti, shares anecdotes from his book and provides insight into the severity of his trauma during and after the war. The documentary also shows footage from an interview of Lomax before his death, where he talks about his experience of returning to Thailand many years after the war and meeting his former captors.

The film also talks about the impact that the construction of the Death Railway had on the people who lived in the surrounding areas. One of the most moving moments of the documentary is when the group meets a woman whose parents were forced to work on the railway as labourers during the war. She shares her story and the stories of her parents, highlighting the struggles that the locals faced during and after the construction of the railway.

Overall, On Tour: River Kwai - Travelling The Route Of The Railway Of Death is a moving and insightful documentary that sheds light on the history and impact of the Death Railway. The film highlights the inhumane treatment of prisoners of war and also showcases the resilience of those who suffered. It is a must-watch for those who are interested in history and want to understand the untold stories of the prisoners who built the Death Railway.