Film Reviews by DavidH

A Korean war drama based on the forced labour on Hashima Island (also known as Gunkanjima or Battleship Island) during World War II. After Japan invaded Korea many Koreans were sent to the island to work in the mines to help the Japanese war effort. The conditions were hellish and the film does a good job at showing the cruelty on the island. The women were separated from the men and made to work as comfort women for the stationed Japanese whilst the men were sent down below to work in awful conditions. The film is a little overly dramatic at times but it's an interesting story told well with a rousing and bombastic climax, including the interesting use of 'Ecstasy of Gold' by Ennio Morricone, as the Koreans realising the Japanese have lost the war make a bid for freedom.

7/10