All I know of Unit 731 is from reading the wiki page, but that gave me a good understanding of what was done and why. This film provides a thin story following some of the key characters in the real events, and is obviously structured to reveal some of the experiments done at that time. However, the story itself doesn't leave you sympathetic to the characters much - perhaps that is intentional, as the Japanese who did this weren't meant to be sympathized with from the director's view perhaps.
I am a gore fan, and I was looking for more historical insight than the wiki provided. With this film we have to start by accepting it was made in 1988, in a time and place without much special effects and still following a lot of Shaw Brother kung fu theater type films. So the quality is 'dated' to be kind. I appreciate the director's intent and attempt, but in this day and age it falls short. The gore is more than most of it's time, but simply looks cheesy 1980's now. The historical aspects appear true enough, but 20 minutes reading the wiki page will give you a LOT more. So I ended up feeling short on gore and history by the film. Had I seen it within a few years of it being made, I may have a different take. Seeing it now, 'meh' not worth your time, tbh.
I am a gore fan, and I was looking for more historical insight than the wiki provided. With this film we have to start by accepting it was made in 1988, in a time and place without much special effects and still following a lot of Shaw Brother kung fu theater type films. So the quality is 'dated' to be kind. I appreciate the director's intent and attempt, but in this day and age it falls short. The gore is more than most of it's time, but simply looks cheesy 1980's now. The historical aspects appear true enough, but 20 minutes reading the wiki page will give you a LOT more. So I ended up feeling short on gore and history by the film. Had I seen it within a few years of it being made, I may have a different take. Seeing it now, 'meh' not worth your time, tbh.