Based on J. G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, tells the story of a boy, James Graham, whose privileged life is upturned by the Japanese invasion of Shanghai, December 8, 1941. Separated from his parents, he is eventually captured, and taken to Soo Chow confinement camp, next to a captured Chinese airfield. Amidst the sickness and food shortages in the camp, Jim attempts to reconstruct his former life, all the while bringing spirit and dignity to those around him.
Written by Jeff Hansen <jmh@umich.edu>
Continuity:
When Jim first comes into the cabin of the derelict freighter to meet Bassy, the fried rice which Bassy is stirring contains something which looks like meat. Later shots of the pan and then the served meal show rice only.
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Quotes
[first lines]
Narrator:
[title card]
In 1941 China and Japan had been in a state of undeclared war for four years. A Japanese army of occupation was in control of much of the countryside and many towns and cities. In Shanghai thousands of Westerners, protected by the diplomatic security of the International Settlement, continued to live as they had lived since the British came here in the 19th century and built in the image of their own country... See more »