The Railway Man

2014 • 107 minutes
4.2
157 reviews
68%
Tomatometer
R
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

Based on the remarkable bestselling autobiography, THE RAILWAY MAN tells the extraordinary and epic true story of Eric Lomax (Academy Award®-Winner Colin Firth) - a former army officer who sets out on a mission of revenge to confront the man who tormented him while he was prisoner at a Japanese labor camp during World War II. Lomax was one of thousands of Allied prisoners of war forced to work on the construction of the Thai/Burma railway during World War II. His experiences, after the secret radio he built to bring news and hope to his colleagues was discovered, left him traumatized and shut off from the world. Decades later, Lomax and his beautiful love interest Patti (Academy Award®-Winner Nicole Kidman) discover that the Japanese interpreter responsible for much of his treatment is still alive. Lomax must set out to confront him and his haunting past, in this powerful and inspiring tale of heroism, humanity, and the redeeming power of love.
Rating
R

Ratings and reviews

4.2
157 reviews
Dan Caram
August 15, 2014
I've seen this film twice. It's well acted and has a positive message of forgiveness. Some of the atrocities of war that are portrayed in this movie are difficult to watch, especially the waterboarding scene. I felt myself wanting revenge and I wasn't the one who was going through all of that hell. There are some questions that I have - such as "Why would the Japanese soldier spend his retirement years giving tours at the scene where he had committed all of this evil - especially if he was truly repentant?" Also - "Why didn't the adult Lomax (Colin Firth) bear some physical scars after the severe beatings and torture he went through? He didn't limp or anything. Overall, it's a well done movie which I definitely recommend. The fact that it is a true story adds to the power of the film.
6 people found this review helpful
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Justin C
December 7, 2014
Impossible to be friends after the fact; if it was really based on true events. He should have broken his arm.
5 people found this review helpful
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John R Gaultney
April 21, 2016
Forgiveness is powerful and life changing, and this movie really drove that home because of the incredible story behind it. So glad I watched this
3 people found this review helpful
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