"Tenko" (1981) TV series 1981-1984

Creator:

Lavinia Warner

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

22 October 1981 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Three 10x55min series. In the first series, a group of English women in 1941 Singapore are shipwrecked while they try to escape the Japanese invasion...

Plot Keywords:

Prisoner Of War | Malaya | One Word Title | WWII | War Crime

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Ann Bell	...	Marion Jefferson (30 episodes, 1981-1984)
Stephanie Cole	...	Dr. Beatrice Mason (30 episodes, 1981-1984)
Claire Oberman	...	Kate Norris (30 episodes, 1981-1984)
Emily Bolton	...	Christina Campbell (28 episodes, 1981-1984)
Veronica Roberts	...	Dorothy Bennett (26 episodes, 1981-1984)
Elizabeth Chambers	...	Mrs. Domenica Van Meyer (26 episodes, 1981-1984)
Patricia Lawrence	...	Sister Ulrica (21 episodes, 1981-1984)
Jean Anderson	...	Lady Jocelyn 'Joss' Holbrook / ... (20 episodes, 1982-1984)
Stephanie Beacham	...	Rose Millar (19 episodes, 1981-1982)
Burt Kwouk	...	Major Yamauchi / ... (19 episodes, 1981-1984)
Eiji Kusuhara	...	Lt. Sato / ... (17 episodes, 1981-1984)
Takashi Kawahara	...	Shinya (17 episodes, 1981-1982)
Takahiro Oba	...	Kasaki / ... (16 episodes, 1981-1984)
Louise Jameson	...	Blanche Simmons (13 episodes, 1981-1982)

Runtime:

UK:50 min (30 episodes)

Country:

Australia | UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Filming Locations:

Dorset, England, UK

Company:

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Quotes:

[repeated lines]
Mrs. Domenica Van Meyer: How dare you speak to me this way?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Peep Show: (#1.6)" (2003)

1 bad thing about Tenko: unavailable in North America

I remember watching this with my mom when I was 12 & it still resonates with me 15 years later. There aren't very many shows/movies concerning the lives of women during World War II, and I seriously doubt anything in the future could top Tenko in terms of quality. Quality of cast, story, set design, make-up, etc. In the States, Tenko aired in the late 80's on the Arts & Entertainment Network (aka 'A&E'). During that time, A&E was primarily an outlet for WWII and British programing. It was with Tenko that I got my first taste of what the BBC could accomplish. I'd also recommend a movie called 'Bent' for its depiction of homosexuals in Nazi concentration camps. Although the plot is fictional, the premise is based on fact. 'Bent' may not be the best WWII movie but it's interesting because, like Tenko did for women, it sheds light on the plight of gays in WWII. As fascinating as Bent may be, it doesn't hold a candle to Tenko. Perhaps one day it will be released here in North America.