Three Came Home (1950) | Full Movie

(upbeat music)

(dramatic music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] Six degrees north of the Equator

in the heart of East Indies lies Sandakan,

the tiny capital of British North Borneo.

In Sandakan in 1941, there were 15,000 Asiatics,

79 Europeans, and one American.

I was the American.

My name is Agnes Keith.

I was born in Oak Park, Illinois,

and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley.

My husband is Harry Keith,

a colonial official of British North Borneo.

Borneo became my home when Harry and I were married.

And it was in Sandakan that I bore one child

and lost another.

And it was in Sandakan that we waited, 45 white men,

24 wives, and 11 children through the anxious days

of 1940 and '41,

certain only of one thing,

that sooner or later,

Japanese guns would join in the thunders of war,

and Japanese troops would come down through the East Indies.

The men waited because it was their duty,

the women because it was their choice.

(light music)

- Hey Jack.

Hey Jack, hey Jack.

- What's he doing, teasing that ape?

- Oh no doctor, they much friends now.

- Is Mrs. Keith in?

- Yes, Doctor.

- Will you tell her I'm here?

- Yes, Doctor.

- How are you feeling young fellow?

- Fine, Dr. Bandy.

- Had any fights yet?

- Yes sir!

- That's a good lad.

How big was he?

- Wasn't a boy, it was a girl.

- A girl, eh?

Better still.

You can't start too early at that sort of thing.

What did you do?

Wallop her?

- I ran all the way home.

- Splendid, Georgie.

- And then her brother ran me all the way back.

- The filthy bully.

- Trying to corrupt him again, are you?

- Not in the least.

Boy's got to learn to protect himself against women.

- (laughing) Inside, darling.

It's time to get washed up for luncheon.

- Come on.

- Bye, Dr. Bandy.

- Bye, young fellow.

Trip her up next time.

- Well?

What's the verdict?

- Which would you like?

A girl or another boy?

- Then it's definite!

- How do you feel?

All right?

- Well, mornings, you know.

- Perfectly normal.

Nothing to be done about that.

Drop into the office the first time you're downtown

and we'll go into details.

How does Harry feel about it?

- Oh, I haven't told him yet.

No thank you.

I wanted to wait until it was definite.

- You weren't afraid, were you?

- Afraid of what?

- Afraid to tell him.

- Why, of course not.

Why should I be?

- The situation, I mean.

The war and all that.

- Oh.

Do you really think they'll come?

- I'm afraid I do, eventually.

- I can't believe it.

I really can't.

- Well, I hope not of course.

I think we ought to be prepared for it anyway.

- How, how can you prepare for it?

Why, I'm really ashamed to think

of what I might do if they came.

- Now, if the Japs were to come here,

you'd probably have to drag me down out of those hills.

- I know that's where they'll find me.

- Oh, no.

You won't be here anyway.

The government will clear out all you women and children.

That gives me an idea.

I played Charley in Charley's Aunt a couple of years ago.

Wonder what I did with that dress.

That's what I'll do this very night, by George.

I'll dig up that dress and try it on.

(both laughing)

Goodbye Agnes.

- Goodbye Doctor, and thank you.

(soft music)

- How'd you like to take a little trip, darling?

- Trip where?

- Home, back to the states, you and Georgie.

- Are you beginning to worry too?

- No, not all together,

but it is liable to get a little rough out here.

No need taking too many chances, you know.

- Oh, I don't want to go.

I don't want to leave you.

I want to be with you whatever happens.

- What about Georgie?

- We'll have to send him out I guess.

But I've made up my mind about myself.

I'm sticking with Papa.

- No matter what Papa thinks?

- No matter whatever.

- And what about the government.

Would you listen to it?

- Oh, if the government puts me out then I'll have to go.

But not otherwise.

- All right then, we'll leave it up to the government.

You know, I never knew before

that you were a woman of steel.

- Oh, I'm not.

I'm a woman of tinfoil.

I'm scared to death already.

You're just my bill, I guess.

- Name happens to be Harry.

- Oh, of course.

I forgot.

Just my Harry, I meant.

- You have very nice hands, darling.

- Still?

- Always.

(romantic music)

Shall we go in?

Oh, Ah Yin tells me Doc Bandy was here this morning.

Anything wrong?

- No, I just wanted him to look at George's throat.

(bright music)

- [Announcer] Newsflash, newsflash.

We interrupt this program to tell you that the Japanese

have attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor

in the Hawaiian Islands.

This is all the information we have at the moment.

(bright music)

(dramatic music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] And then we waited.

For five weeks from that December morning,

we waited for the voice of command and authority

to give us our orders.

On January 11th, we got them.

- [Announcer] To all British subjects

in the State of North Borneo.

The enemy occupied Jesselton this morning,

and may be expected in Sandakan at any hour now.

You'll be doing your duty by remaining at your posts.

Meet the enemy, resist passively, do not cooperate.

We are sorry, but we cannot help you.

(thunder booming)

(rain pouring)

- A nice night they picked for it, too.

- Very inconsiderate of people.

- 247, please.

(phone ringing)

- Hello?

- Did you have the radio on?

- Yes, I heard it.

Is there any sign of them yet?

- No, but we have a guard on the point to let us know.

No need to worry too much yet.

It may all be very simple and routine.

We're going down to the dock to show them

that we're not armed.

You're to take Georgie straight to Government House.

All the women and children are to gather there

and stay under orders until we know what's what.

Understand?

- I'm packing now.

But when will I see you?

- I'll catch up with you later.

And try not to worry, dear.

I know everything's going to be all right.

How's Georgie?

Has he noticed anything yet?

- No.

He's a little angel.

Very pleased to be up so late.

- [Harry] Give him a big hug from me

and tell him I'm counting on him to help his mum.

- All right, darling.

Harry, listen, be very careful, will you?

- Don't worry dear, I won't do anything foolish.

And I'll see you a little later.

Goodbye, darling.

- Did they come yet?

- No, not yet.

But any minute now, I guess.

- What you think they'll do, Missy?

- I don't know, Ah Yin.

I don't even like to think about it.

What about your friends?

- Very good friends.

When time comes, they take me over to the hills.

No one find me.

- Come here darling.

(tense music)

- They're coming around the point.

- We're going now.

- What did the guards say?

- They're coming in motor launches,

but the boy couldn't tell how many.

- Doesn't matter.

1,000, 10,000, makes no difference.

Shall we start, gentlemen?

- Might as well do the honors properly.

(suspenseful music) (men shouting)

- You want me to stay, Missus?

- No, no Ah Yin.

You go home quickly.

Thank you.

Here Georgie, take your panda.

Goodbye.

(dramatic music)

(dogs barking)

(voices clamoring)

- I'd put my wristwatch away if I were you.

- -Oh, thank you.

I intended to.

(man shouting) (gun firing)

- What what is it Mommy?

What was that noise?

- Shh, you have to quiet, darling.

- But what was it?

(dogs barking)

(rain pouring)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Charles, Charles!

(speaking in foreign language)

- I'm sorry, I don't understand Japanese.

- Stay away from me, you bloody Jap.

(speaking in foreign language)

- No! - Mama, Mama, Mama!

- Stand up everybody!

When Japanese officer enter,

stand up everybody and bow to officer.

Now, bow to Japanese officer!

(all murmuring)

- And why isn't there any petrol here?

- We dumped it.

Those were my orders, and I obeyed them.

Precisely as you obey yours.

- What do mean orders?

You are not a soldier.

You are a civilian.

You told me so yourself.

- I'm a civilian, but I'm also an official,

subject to the orders of my government.

- And what else did you destroy?

- Certain pieces of machinery.

Some boats, a few bridges.

- And your stock supply too, I suppose?

- All of it.

- And you still expect to be treated as a civilian?

- I had my orders.

- You had your orders from a general in Singapore,

and they were military orders.

You have probably committed 40 acts of war

in the past 24 hours,

and yet you stand there

and try to tell me you are a civilian,

that you are all civilians, so that it doesn't count.

What do you take me for?

A complete fool?

- The rules of war defining a civilian and civilian rights

are perfectly clear.

And I'm sure you're quite familiar with them.

I'm asking for nothing that I'm not entitled to.

And if I may say.

(hand slapping)

- Never use that voice to me again.

(hand slapping)

- Now, wait a minute.

You've absolutely no right.

(hand slapping)

- Perhaps you had better understand this now

at the very beginning.

I'll take none of your British arrogance, none of it.

We are in charge here now, the Nipponese Army.

You understand that?

Now, bow to Japanese officers.

Bow!

(soldier shouting)

- Mrs. Keith?

- Yes?

- Mrs. Agnes Newton Keith?

- Yes.

- Other peoples go your home.

Stay your home!

Mrs. Keith, you come with me.

No, no baby.

You come alone.

- Oh no, I won't leave him.

I can't leave him here alone.

- Leave him, soldier take care.

Good soldier take care.

- I won't leave him.

He's too small to be left alone.

- I'll take him home with me, is that all right?

- Anybody take him all right.

You come quick with me.

- He'll be all right, don't worry.

- [George] Mommy.

- Darling, now be a good boy.

Mommy will be home right away.

(door knocking)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Mrs. Keith.

- Come in.

Sit down, Mrs. Keith.

You have a child, haven't you?

- Yes. - A son, George.

Where is he?

- I left him with a friend.

The lieutenant wouldn't let me bring him in.

- I have two sons.

- Really?

- Two sons and a daughter.

How old is your boy?

- He's four.

- My youngest is three.

But he's quite big for three.

People often take him for four.

- Really?

- You'll have to bring your little boy to see me sometime.

I'll tell him about Japan, how little boys live there.

And I have some pictures, too, I'll show him.

(gun firing)

That will be over soon.

They are just cleaning up a bit.

I read your book about Borneo, Mrs. Keith,

The Land Below the Wind.

- You did?

- In the Japanese edition.

I liked it very much.

- Thank you.

- You were very sympathetic to the Orientals.

- Of course.

I've lived out here for several years now.

I've come to know them quite well.

- It's not usual, you know?

Where is your home in the states, Mrs. Keith?

- California.

- I lived in America for four years.

I went to the University of Washington.

- I was at Berkeley.

- I went down to Berkeley too, many years ago,

to a football game.

You murdered us.

Cigarette?

- Thank you.

- And we were the favorite too.

I took even money and gave two points one fellow.

- Well that's too bad.

You should have put your money on the crew.

- That's right.

We had always good crews.

Have we a copy of your book here, Mrs. Keith?

The American edition?

- Yes.

- I would like very much to have one autographed.

- Well, I don't see how you could have

picked a better time to ask for one.

- I'm sorry.

You think it's too impolite this way?

- Oh, not at all.

I don't get enough requests for my autographs

(gun firing)

to quibble over the circumstances.

- And would you also mind writing in it

that you gave it to me personally?

- Certainly.

- I'd appreciate that very much.

I'll write the name for you.

Michio

Suga.

Colonel Michio Suga.

I think I read it again, too.

- Is that all?

- That's all.

- Colonel.

- Yes?

- May I ask you something about the men?

My husband, what are you going to do with him?

- That will be attended to in time.

Goodbye.

(suspenseful music)

(speaking in foreign language)

(soldiers laughing)

- [Agnes Voiceover] This, then, was occupation by the enemy.

Business as usual, they said.

Carry on with your lives and your work.

At the end of one month of such civilized consideration,

I no longer had my secret.

- I think she'll be all right now.

If she wakes up during the night, give her another tablet.

I'll ring you in the morning.

- Thank you, Doctor.

Thank you very much.

- Good night, Georgie.

- Good night, Dr. Bandy.

- Good night, Harry.

- Good night, Doctor.

Why didn't you tell me, dear?

- It just seemed too much on top of everything else.

I couldn't.

- My poor darling.

- Maybe it's just as well.

One less problem to handle.

- What is it Mommy?

- I'm afraid we're not going to have

a little baby brother after all.

- What about a little baby sister?

- No.

No little sister either.

- But next Christmas maybe?

- I'm afraid not, darling.

For a while it will have to be just us, that's all.

You and Daddy and me.

- That's all right, Mommy.

I didn't want anybody else anyway.

- Oh, my baby.

(somber music)

(dramatic music)

- Is there any sign of the truck yet?

(speaking in foreign language)

We'll be out here on the veranda.

- OK.

- Can you use this?

- Yes, thanks.

- We've still got a few more minutes,

even if they're on time, which they probably won't be.

- Sit here.

Oh, darling, darling.

- Now, now.

- Have you heard anything at all?

Where we're going?

- Nothing that means anything.

- Maybe they'll make some kind of provision for children.

- He's pretty sturdy.

That's one good thing.

- But he's still So little.

(engine rumbling)

- Oh, Harry, I'm so scared.

- I know dear, I know.

Everybody is.

- I'm scared to be without you.

I need you so.

I just won't know what to do without you.

- What's the matter with Mommy?

- Mommy's all right.

She just doesn't feel very well.

(Agnes crying)

- Where's that Yankee spirit?

(dramatic music)

(speaking in foreign language)

(soft music)

- Goodbye, my darling.

- Goodbye, sweetheart.

- I love you so much.

- We'll come out of this, sweetheart.

I know we will.

- Jap here.

- All right.

How about it, young fellow?

Got a big hug for Daddy?

- A hard one?

- Certainly, the hardest one you can give me.

Goodbye, son.

- Bye.

- You're going away with Mommy for little while.

Don't forget Daddy, will you?

- Ready?

- We're going.

- Very sorry.

- Thank you.

- You just listen to what Mummy tells you.

And stick close to her at all times.

- Yes, Daddy.

- Now you wait here a moment.

We'll all go out together.

- Can you handle all that?

- Yes, I think so.

(dramatic music) (engine rumbling)

- Goodbye, son.

- Goodbye, Daddy.

(speaking in foreign language)

(ominous music)

(thunder booming)

(rain pouring)

(babies crying)

- [Agnes Voiceover] This was Berhala Island,

where for nine months the white women and children

of Sandakan were grounded in the filth

and hunger and degradation that were to be theirs

throughout their imprisonment under the Japanese.

And here, we began to know for the first time

the cruelest of all suffering

that war brings to women, emptiness.

The gnawing, lonely,

hopeless emptiness of life without love.

At Berhala, we knew it twofold because our men were nearby.

Only a few hundred yards down the road

in their own compound.

And now and then we could see them, a glimpse, anyway,

on their way to or from their work in the fields.

And now and then,

if one were willing to run the risk of a beating.

(tense music)

(birds chirping)

(speaking in foreign language)

- [Soldier] Forget bow.

(speaking in foreign language)

- I'm sorry.

How is he?

- Still a little feverish.

- Did you sleep at all, darling?

- Little.

- Good.

- You're going, aren't you?

- I want to.

If George is all right.

- You must.

I'll take care of George.

He'll be all right.

- But he looks so sick.

- You don't look any too well yourself.

- Oh, I'm all right.

Considering those rubber vegetables we had last night.

- If you go, will you ask him about Jock?

- And Robbie?

- I'll ask about everybody.

- But don't tell him about Joyce, will you?

Tell him that she's getting along all right.

- Do you think you could give him a message for Freddy?

- Yes, of course.

- Well would you tell him to tell Freddy

that my cough is a great deal better.

He worries so, you know.

- I'll tell him.

- And Joe too, don't forget.

I saw him on the road the other day.

He looks so thin.

- I'll make a list this evening of all the messages.

And I'll bring back the news for everybody.

- Beatings for everybody too, I suppose.

- We were not speaking to you, if you don't mind.

- Perhaps not, but you're proposing something

that's likely to get us all in trouble.

You know very well if she were caught,

the whole camp would be punished.

- Will you keep your voice down?

- Oh, tell her to go jump in the ocean.

- Agnes hasn't even spoken to her husband for five months.

And if she's got a chance to be with him

for a few minutes now,

I think she ought to grab it like a shot.

- [Woman] Doesn't matter what happens to the rest of us,

I suppose.

- She's not going to get caught.

Others have done it and got away with it.

- I do not care to be beaten because some disgusting woman

cannot do without her husband for a few months.

- I wish I could tell you what I think of you for that.

- Why can't you keep your big mouth shut?

You make more noise and more trouble

than any other five women in the camp.

- Every time one of you women sneak through that fence,

you endanger every other person in this camp.

And I refuse to be quiet about it.

- All right then.

Why don't you go and tell the sergeant now.

- Sure, and why don't you give him a great big kiss

while you're about it.

- I have no intention of doing anything more than my duty.

- Here he is now.

Tell him, why don't you?

(speaking in foreign language)

- Well, if it isn't old frog face.

- Betty!

- Oh that's right, you haven't met this one yet.

Sergeant doesn't understand one word of English,

do you, repulsive?

(speaking in foreign language)

You cute little bucket of swill.

Isn't he a stinker?

- Oh, yes indeed.

You can tell that even from this distance.

- Are you sure it's all right?

- Certainly.

Oh Henrietta.

- I'm not interested, thank you.

- Haven't you something to tell our little garbage blossom.

- I'll take no part in this insanity, no part whatever.

- Hey, Sarge.

You see that woman over there?

Mrs. Henrietta Tattletale Thomas.

Well, that woman sneaks out of the camp every single night

and meets Tojo.

- Tojo? - Tojo.

Under the palm trees.

- Mrs. Sommers.

(women laughing)

(speaking in foreign language)

- No, not at all.

(hand slapping)

(speaking in foreign language) (Betty crying)

(crickets chirping)

- Betty.

Betty.

- I think I'll get in with him.

- You don't mind? - Of course not.

Agnes you're burning up.

You sure you can make it?

- I've got to make it.

- Don't you think you better try another night?

- No, it's got to be tonight.

He'll be waiting for me.

- But he'd understand, darling.

- But I've got all those messages too.

I can't disappoint everybody.

- Mrs. Keith,

good luck.

- Thank you.

(window creaking)

(metal rattling) (animal chittering)

(animal yipping)

(wind blowing)

(bird calling)

- Harry.

(birds calling)

(wind howling)

(animal yipping)

Harry.

Harry.

Harry.

(animal screeching)

(Agnes crying)

(birds calling)

(animals chittering)

- Harry, I'm sick.

I'm very sick, Harry.

Please help me, Harry.

Harry.

(wind howling)

(thunder booming)

- Mommy, Mommy.

- Georgie, darling.

Oh dear God.

Sister Rose, what can we do?

(Georgie mumbling)

What is it do you think?

- Malaria probably.

He's burning up.

We'll have to call the captain of the guard.

This child is terribly sick.

- We can't until Agnes gets back.

- Can I help?

- Have you any quinine?

- Why,

no, I haven't.

I'm sorry.

- Isn't there something we can do, just until she gets back?

- Go to the captain and ask him for some quinine.

Some in your hand.

You don't have to tell him who it's for.

- That's it.

I'll just say it's for one of the children.

- And hurry, will you.

(thunder booming)

(rain pouring)

(door knocking)

(speaking in foreign language)

- [Captain] What you want?

- I want some quinine, Captain.

Quinine.

One of the children is ill.

- Doctor give quinine.

You'll see doctor tomorrow.

- But he needs it now, captain, he's very ill.

- You Mrs. Sommers?

- Yes.

- You no have a child.

Who's child?

- Mrs. Keith.

- Why not she come.

Why you come?

- She's ill too.

- I no have quinine.

See doctor tomorrow.

- Tomorrow might be too late Captain.

Can't you send me to the doctor for some now?

It's not far and they're very ill!

- Ill like dying?

- They are truly.

- We will see how ill.

- Oh, no. - Must see first.

Must not wake doctor unless very ill.

- But that's not at all necessary.

You don't have to go to all that trouble, really.

- But ill like dying, you say.

- Yes, they are but you don't have to go.

You can send me.

I'll explain to the doctor.

- I'll go with you.

(rain pouring)

- Can't we go directly to the doctor?

(window knocking) - Betty.

Betty.

Betty.

- Please don't go in there, Captain.

It would upset them very much.

They'll be very frightened.

Don't go in, please.

- We go see.

- Here, Captain.

- I get doctor.

He have plenty quinine.

(whistle blowing)

- All ladies, all children will be transferred

from this camp this afternoon.

Must be ready two o'clock.

Be cheerful, keep up good spirits and morale.

(dramatic music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] Where to?

We had our choice of three rumors.

To a wonderful new camp with electric lights and beds,

to be repatriated, to the officers' brothels.

All we knew for certain was that the men

were not being transferred with us.

There's Poppy!

- [George] It's Daddy, Mommy.

Look, Mommy, it's Daddy.

- You see?

Japanese kind people.

Wives can say goodbye husband.

But no kissing, see?

Must not kiss.

Now make snappy please!

(voices clamoring)

- I never thought we'd see you.

- Hello, Georgie.

My haven't you grown?

You really have.

How are you feeling?

- I'm hungry, Daddy.

- Oh, no, darling, you can't be.

You've just eaten.

But he's not doing badly at all.

Now you mustn't worry about that for a minute.

- How are you, darling?

- We were both quite sick for a while.

But we're fine now.

- Are you sure you're all right?

- Oh, absolutely darling.

They treated us very well, really.

- Do you have any idea where you're going?

- No. - Well,

perhaps you'll go to one of the big camps.

You'll have it better there.

I have a little going away gift for you.

- For me too Daddy?

- For both of you.

Be careful, don't let the guards see.

Don't look for much.

There isn't much chance to shop around here.

- Thank you sweetheart.

Whatever it is, we need it.

- Did you get the egg?

- Yes darling, where did you get them?

- From a little man at the dock.

- Oh, how wonderful.

Now don't cry, smile at me.

- I can't help it.

- Did you get the quinine? - No I didn't.

Did you send some?

- I tried. - We needed it so badly.

- Oh, look what Daddy's brought.

- Hello, Joyce.

Hello baby.

- Where are you going to go?

- I don't know darling.

- Are you over the malaria?

- [Tony] Yes darling, I'm fine, I'm fine.

- Tony is Freddy ill or something?

- I thought you knew.

Freddy was sent away last week.

- No, no I didn't.

- Have you hurt anything about yourself?

- I'll be all right.

Got to have someone do the work, you know.

- Are you eating?

You look so thin.

- I was getting a little fat, remember?

- Oh no, you (crying).

- Be careful, darling, you'll fall.

Mommy, don't cry.

- I had eggs when I was sick, Daddy.

- Eggs!

Why you little monkey.

No wonder you're growing up, living off the fat of the land.

(whistle blowing)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Say goodbye please.

Must go now!

(voices clamoring)

- Give me your hands.

- This isn't a way to say goodbye, is it?

- It won't be for long.

Honey, we'll see each other again soon.

Goodbye, son.

- Bye, Daddy.

- Be very careful, darling.

I love you, darling.

- I love you.

- Take last look, babies.

Maybe goodbye for long time.

(tense music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] They're going to kill him.

It's the last time I'll ever see him.

They're going to kill him and he knows it.

I'll never see him anymore.

(dramatic music)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Can we see the present now?

- I think so.

Wasn't this nice of Daddy?

Why, they're handkerchiefs?

- Is that all?

- Oh, but aren't they pretty?

Look, that's mosquito netting.

Now wasn't that clever of Daddy?

- You mean Daddy made this himself?

- Yes.

He's becoming quite a seamstress, isn't he?

- [Harry Voiceover] : Take care of our little son.

I love him because he is you.

He is ours.

He is you and I that must live.

Although our bodies may die,

I know there's something between us that will never die.

- Never.

(tense music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] These 10 days at sea,

bound for we knew not where, were I believe the worst.

At that moment, I hated the human race.

Not just the enemy, but mankind.

That this to helpless innocent children

should still be possible,

what hope was there for such an animal?

(ominous music)

(speaking in foreign language)

(thunder booming)

(rain pouring)

This was it, Kuching,

the great dump heap of prisoners in the East Indies.

And this was the women's camp,

isolated and segregated from the many men's camps

that were scattered among the hills around us.

(dramatic music)

- War will last 10 years!

- [Agnes Voiceover] That was the first thing we heard

at Kuching.

- War will last 10 more years!

- [Agnes Voiceover] Then we heard it again.

- War will last 10 more years!

- [Agnes Voiceover] Again and again and again.

But by then we knew that while the war might, we wouldn't.

Not on one cupful of thin rice gruel,

five tablespoons of cooked rice,

occasionally a bit of green, and tea once a day.

Not through the long days of work

beyond our starved strength.

(somber music)

(branch whipping) (tense music)

Perhaps not through the occasional cruelty.

- Stick out tongue, quick!

(Agnes screaming)

(soldiers laughing)

- [Agnes Voiceover] Not even with, now and then,

little acts of kindness.

- For you and son.

- Thank you, Doctor.

So in the course of time,

life was reduced to one simple, stubborn purpose,

to keep alive.

(George whimpering)

(soft music)

(dramatic music)

- To avoid punishments and beatings,

ladies should presume themselves to endeavor

with passive behavior, not negative.

Lieutenant Nekata.

(whistling) The lieutenant must have learned his English

at Harvard. - Mrs. Keith.

You will please bathe and put on a dress

and report to Lieutenant Nekata's office with your child

as quickly as possible.

- Yes sir.

- Quickly as possible.

- Hurry, please.

(door knocking) (speaking in foreign language)

Mrs. Keith.

Come in, please.

- How do you do, Mrs. Keith.

This is a great pleasure.

- How do you do, Colonel?

- Well, I'm afraid I'm your jailer again.

- So I see.

- Yes, I'm now in command of all the prisoner camps

in Kuching.

- I suppose I should congratulate you.

- Thank you.

And this is yours, isn't it?

- Yes, that's right.

- Oh, he's a big boy.

How are you, young man?

How do you feel?

- I'm hungry.

- Oh.

Really?

Well, we'll have to do something about that.

Can't have nice little boys like you going around hungry.

You know Lieutenant Nekata, your camp commander, I suppose.

Mrs. Keith is a very celebrated writer in America.

I have read her book myself presently.

Sit down, Mrs. Keith.

Have a cigarette?

- Thank you.

- Keep the package.

- Are you quite sure you can spare them?

- Don't mention it.

I have something of a surprise for you.

- Where on Earth did you get it?

- Out of your house.

Haven't forgotten your promise, have you?

- No, no.

(crowd yelling)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Australian prisoners.

Why do the Australians always seem to be

just a little more aggressive than necessary?

To Colonel Michio Suga,

a lover of beautiful letters.

Agnes Newton Keith.

You're really too kind, Mrs. Keith.

- Not at all.

- That will be all now, thank you.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Quickly, please, quickly.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Well that was about the quickest

literary tea I ever saw.

- Hey, outside, outside!

- All right, all right.

(footsteps approaching)

- Agnes, a miracle happened.

I beat Mrs. Gulliver to the garbage tonight.

- Wonderful.

What did you get?

- That's a bit of pineapple, I believe.

I don't know what that is, but it's quite good.

- Potato top, isn't it?

- Is it?

- Aren't you having any?

- No, I've had buckets of it.

That's for you, go ahead.

- I wonder if I should wake him?

- No don't.

I have a piece of banana for him.

Let him sleep now and give him this in the morning.

- Oh, you're a darling, Betty.

What would you say this was?

- Is there a bone in it?

- No, yes!

Yes, a flat bone.

Did you find a fish?

- Only the head.

- That's what it is, a fish head.

Mm.

It couldn't taste better, really.

- Oh, it isn't the cooking in particular.

I just wash the stuff and dump it in the pot.

I don't even know what some of it is sometimes.

Most of it I recognize, of course.

What some of it is I simply can't imagine.

- It's all food, isn't it?

- That's it.

- I don't know what George and I would have done with.

(book clattering)

(owl hooting)

- What's that?

- Well, it's not an owl, I can tell you that.

- Twit, twit, twoo!

- That's even worse.

- Right at the bottom of the fence.

Look!

- It's the Australians!

Oh, cut it out fellows.

There's a guard out front, you'll get us in trouble.

- Oh, tell me again, lady.

Tell me again.

I just want to hear you talk.

- You get out of here.

- Did you hear that sound?

That one's for me.

Come on down here lady.

Let's take a look at you.

- Please fellows.

If the guard hears you, we'll really be in trouble.

They'll cut our rations again.

- Listen sister, we ain't even talked to a dame in months.

That guard don't bother us.

You don't have to worry about him.

He sticks his nose in here, we'll slit his ruddy throat.

- You come down here, Tootsie, and I'll give you a lipstick.

(both giggling)

- I wouldn't interest you, really.

I'm much too old and much too tough for you.

- How old?

- 60.

- 60.

Well what's the matter with 60?

I thought you meant about 100 or something.

(both laughing)

- Who are they?

- The Australians.

- What about the other one.

How old are you?

- Me?

- Yes, not that it matters, but how old are you?

- Oh, I'm nearly 17 now.

- Nearly what?

- I said I'm nearly 70 now.

- 70.

What have we got ourselves into, the old ladies' home?

(women laughing)

- Oh, they're kidding us.

They sound like a couple of babes to me, both of them.

- Hey, how about some of those lipsticks down here?

- OK, baby.

Anytime you want to come down and pick them up.

- Boys, now look.

Now look, I'm terribly sorry,

but this is really too dangerous.

Now go away.

- You try to run out on us,

we'll throw a couple of rocks through your window.

- Oh, come on.

- We've had a rough time of it, lady.

We need a little relaxation.

- Well, if we stay here, will you behave?

- Behave?

Lady, we're behind a barbed wire fence.

(women laughing)

Look Sarge, thousands of them.

- And us without a wire cutter.

As far as the eye can see, nothing but dames.

Come on down here, ladies.

Come on down Tootsie, and I'll give you a lipstick.

- Wait!

Can't you smell it now?

- You're nuts, I can't smell anything.

- Perfume, I tell you.

Ladies perfume.

Come on.

(all chattering)

- Betty, this is awful.

I'm scared to death.

- Hey, you got lipsticks too?

- Loaded with them, cutie pie.

You want one?

- Sure, throw me one.

- [Australian] Here's two, come and get them.

- Go on, get them.

- Would you go with me?

- No, don't do that.

- Here's two for you too, sister.

Come on.

(men clamoring)

- Hey sergeant,

I think we could get over this trap.

- Yeah, why not?

- Don't you do that, you'll get killed.

- Not us, lady.

We've been sent to death squads already, both of us.

We're what they say eternal.

- Betty, can't you think of anything?

- Look, fellows, aren't you married?

Haven't you got wives back home?

- No, strictly bachelors, both of us.

You don't think we'd go calling on strange ladies

if we was married, do you?

- You're making all this trouble for nothing

because we're not going to have anything to do with you.

- And besides, we're missionaries.

- Missionaries?

- [Agnes] Both of us.

- I wouldn't mind being converted tonight.

- Me neither.

(guns firing)

(women screaming)

(dramatic music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] Nearly two years had passed

since Harry and I said goodbye to each other

across the ditch in Berhala.

Nearly two years of wondering if he still lived or not.

Nobody could tell me.

Nobody seemed to know.

Alice knew about Frank.

He'd been beheaded.

A guard told her.

And Cecily knew about Larry.

He had cut his wrists with a broken bottle.

They had taken her to see his poor thin body.

His hair had turned white.

But George and I didn't know.

That's why our eyes were always on the road

that led from the men's camps.

It was strictly forbidden to look at the men.

But what did that matter, when any day,

any minute he might pass by.

♪ There's a long, long trail a-winding ♪

♪ Into the land of my dreams ♪

♪ Where the nightingales are singing ♪

♪ And the white moon beams ♪

♪ There's a long, long night of waiting ♪

♪ Until my dreams all come true ♪

♪ Till the day when I'll be going down ♪

♪ That long, long trail with you ♪

♪ God save our gracious king ♪

♪ Long live our noble king ♪

♪ God save the king ♪

♪ Send him victorious ♪

♪ Happy and glorious ♪

♪ Long to reign over us ♪

♪ God save the king ♪

♪ Oh, she'll be coming up the river when they come ♪

♪ When they come ♪

♪ They'll be coming up the river when they come ♪

♪ When they come ♪

♪ They'll be coming up the river ♪

♪ Be coming up the river ♪

♪ They'll be coming up the river when they come ♪

♪ When they come ♪

♪ They'll be coming up the river when they come ♪

- Hush, hush I say!

(speaking in foreign language)

- Cuckoo!

(women laughing)

(wind blowing)

(thunder booming)

- Betty?

Betty.

- Is it morning already?

- No Georgie.

You go back to sleep.

Mommy's going to get Aunt Betty's wash off the line

before it starts to rain.

(thunder booming)

(Agnes screaming)

- Help!

Help!

Help!

Betty!

Betty!

(Agnes screaming)

- Agnes!

Agnes!

(Agnes crying)

(dramatic music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] The next morning

I made the gravest mistake of my entire imprisonment.

In my shock and agitation,

I forgot the first of all laws for prisoners of war.

The man with the gun is always right.

- Attention!

- Hello.

- Hello.

- Hello, Danny.

How do you do Mrs. Keith?

- How do you do, Colonel?

- How did you get those?

- I got those when I was attacked

by one of your soldiers last night.

- What do you mean?

- I was attacked by one of the guards last night,

violently attacked.

It wasn't in the way of punishment of any sort.

It was attempted criminal assault.

- I can hardly believe this, Mrs. Keith.

- Well, it's the truth.

I know I'm a prisoner, but I believe I have the right

to protest against such an experience.

And I believe I have the right to demand your protection.

- If another person had told me this I wouldn't believe it.

Come to the camp headquarters at 10 o'clock.

I want to talk to you about it.

- Thank you sir.

- Well, that did it.

Now we're in for it.

- It didn't happen to you.

You don't know what it's like.

- Complaining won't undo it.

You've still been mauled,

but now the guards are going to be very angry

and take it out on all of us.

- You can't win.

You should know that by now.

- You hit my soldier.

You say hello.

You say come here.

- No, I didn't.

I never saw him until he grabbed me.

- You lie.

Japanese not like white woman.

You invite soldier.

- I'm not a young girl, Lieutenant.

And I'm not flirtatious.

- Flirtatious? (speaking in foreign language)

- I did nothing whatever to attract the soldier.

I don't even think he could see me in the dark.

He attacked me because I was helpless and a prisoner.

- You know this soldier's face.

- No.

I can't identify him, if that's what you mean.

It was too dark I tell you.

- Too dark.

Not even know if soldier then, huh?

- It was a soldier all right.

- Not Chinese fellow from outside.

(speaking in foreign language)

- I believe what you say Mrs. Keith.

And I am very sorry it happened.

I apologize to you for him.

- Thank you Colonel.

- You may go now.

- Do you think that's the end of it?

- I don't think so.

Just wait until the colonel gets out of camp.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Suga?

(speaking in foreign language)

- Mrs. Keith, come with me, please.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Look at this man.

Now which one?

- I told you I couldn't identify him.

I haven't the faintest idea of what he looked like.

- Not here, huh?

- I don't know.

I couldn't tell if he were.

(speaking in foreign language)

- You come with me.

Sit here.

To make false charge against a Japanese soldier is to die.

You know that.

- Yes.

- You want to die?

- No.

- Then why do you lie?

- I haven't lied.

I've told you the truth.

But I know there's nothing to be done about it.

I can't identify the man.

And I haven't any witnesses.

I'm perfectly willing to drop the matter.

Won't you let me do that?

- Very serious to make false charge

against the Japanese soldier.

- The charge wasn't false.

I'm sorry I made it, but the charge wasn't false.

- You sign this.

No, no, no read.

Just sign.

- Well, of course I can't sign anything I haven't read.

- You sign.

Everything be OK.

- I'm sorry, I can't do that.

Either I read it or I can't sign it.

- OK, read.

Then sign.

- I can't sign that.

It's not true.

- It is order, I said sign it!

- I won't do it.

If I did, you'd have the right to kill me

for falsely accusing a Japanese soldier.

I won't do it.

- No, no, you sign.

Nothing happen.

- No, I won't because it's not true.

(speaking in foreign language)

Ow!

(Agnes screaming)

No, please.

Oh, please.

(speaking in foreign language)

Oh please.

(hand slapping)

(speaking in foreign language)

(Agnes crying)

- You sign now?

- No.

- You want more trouble?

- No.

I won't sign away my life.

(speaking in foreign language)

- All right then, that's all.

You go now.

But do not talk about this, you understand?

- I understand.

- Must not say anything about this.

Very bad for you if you do.

- I won't talk I promise.

- All right then.

Get out!

- Agnes, did they beat you?

- No.

- What did they do?

- Nothing.

- Well, as long as they don't send for you again,

you're probably all right.

- Oh, oh please darling.

Oh, be very careful.

- Want me to do your work for you tomorrow, Mommy?

- Thank you darling.

I'll be all right in the morning.

- Is it all over now?

- I guess so.

- I'm glad, Mommy.

- Mrs. Keith.

- Yes?

- You'll report to Lieutenant Nekata in his office

at 10 o'clock this morning.

- I'll be there.

- Can I do anything for you dear?

- Sit here, Betty.

Don't ask any questions.

- I won't.

- If anything happens to me,

will you do what you can for George?

- I will.

- I don't know about Harry.

I don't want to leave my little boy

without somebody who's interested in him.

He's still such a baby, you know.

- I'll take care of him, dear.

- It's probably nothing to it.

I'm just being stupid.

(Agnes coughing)

- Mommy, Mommy.

I bumped my head on the house.

- Well, let's see.

Now it's all well.

- You're all dressed up, Mommy.

You look beautiful.

- Do I really, darling?

Mommy can always depend on her big boy

to say something nice.

- Where are you going?

- I'm going to headquarters to see somebody.

- Will you be back soon?

- I think so.

Pretty soon.

But if I'm late for supper,

you go to Aunt Betty and she'll take care of you.

- Mommy, you're hurting me.

- I'm sorry, darling.

Mommy just loves you so much.

- What's the matter, Mommy?

- Nothing.

I just felt like hugging you, that's all.

You don't mind, do you?

- No, but you hug so hard.

- All right.

We'll try it again and this time I promise not to hurt you.

Now you give me a kiss.

(Agnes sobbing)

- Mommy, you promised.

- I'm Mrs. Keith.

- Go in, they're waiting for you.

- Sit down.

You think last night?

- Yes.

- You sign now, huh?

- No.

(suspenseful music)

(speaking in foreign language)

- What's the matter, Mrs. Keith?

Are you all right?

- Oh, yes, thank you.

I just felt a little weak for a moment.

- Mrs. Keith very helpful to close case, sir.

- She's willing to drop the charge I believe

and say nothing further about the matter.

- That's right.

- I am very pleased indeed.

- Drink, feel better.

Just sake.

(planes droning)

- [Agnes Voiceover] And then on March 25th, 1945

at 10 minutes past 10 in the morning.

(bombs exploding) (sirens wailing)

They're ours.

Betty, they're ours!

- They are ours - They're ours.

(women cheering)

Look at those planes, they're ours!

(women singing)

(whistle blowing)

(women screaming)

- They will never come!

They never will come!

Japanese Army will never let them.

They will swim back in their sea.

They will never come.

Never, never, never!

(dramatic music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] And they didn't.

Not for months, not for centuries it seemed.

And now, of course,

the rulers were even wilder and more terrifying.

- [Woman] Did you hear about your husband?

They're sending the men on a march.

They're sending the men on a march.

Sending the men on a march.

(voices overlapping) (ominous music)

(dramatic music)

(siren blaring)

- Mrs. Keith!

Mrs. Keith? - Yes?

- You report at headquarters at once, please.

Hurry, please.

- Go in, please.

- How do you do, Mrs. Keith?

- How do you do, Colonel?

- Won't you have a seat?

- Thank you.

- I hope you don't mind.

I wanted to talk to you, at least for a few moments.

- Of course.

- I thought that you would understand.

I have no more family now.

- No.

- My hometown was bombed last week

and they are all dead now.

- I'm terribly sorry, Colonel.

- Where was it, Tokyo?

- No.

We used to live in Tokyo.

But after the Doolittle raid,

Mrs. Suga worried so much about the children

that last year I got the permission

for them to move to Hiroshima.

- I wish there was something I could say to offer

you some comfort, but I know there isn't.

- We had been married 13 years last month

and we had three of the dearest children you could imagine.

Two boys and a girl.

One of the boys, the youngest,

was just a little younger than George.

- I remember, you told me.

- You remember, really?

- Yes, you told me in Sandakan.

- He was a year younger, but he was almost as tall.

- I remember that too.

How old were the others?

- The oldest boy was just 12.

Chocho, the little girl was eight.

She was not very pretty, I suppose,

but she was a darling child.

Gentle and motherly.

It's very strange to sit here and think

that I will never see them again.

Oh, I don't mean to bother you with my troubles,

when you have so many of your own.

But I feel that of all of the people here,

you would be the one most likely to understand.

- I think I do, Colonel.

Whatever the rest is,

there's no difference in our hearts about our children.

- Thank you, Mrs. Keith.

Thank you very much for coming.

- Goodbye, sir.

(speaking in foreign language)

- [Child] This is good.

You already had some more, Georgie.

- [Suga] George?

- Hello, Colonel.

- What are you doing?

- Eating something.

- [Suga] What is it?

- What does it say?

- Are you really so hungry?

- Yes, sir.

But I'm not as hungry as I was, though.

- I am.

- I'm not.

- How would you children like to come with me to my house

in Kuching and have a little party with lots to eat?

- Now?

- Why not?

We'll have a little celebration together,

just the four of us.

Shall we? - Oh boy, a picnic!

(engine revving)

- Betty, have you seen George?

- He was with Suzy a few minutes ago.

And Colonel Suga-- - Hey Mommy!

Hey Mommy. - George!

George!

Was Colonel Suga in that car?

- Colonel Suga, yes.

- Oh dear god, no.

Oh no!

- [Child] Oh, boy!

- Now children, this is it.

Go up the steps, George.

- Come on, Suzy.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Over there, flowers!

Oh, look at them.

- [Child] I want to take that one home for Jenny.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Children, pick some if you wish.

- [Children] Thank you.

- Still hungry, George?

Come on, dig in.

It's all right.

Eat all you want.

It's all yours.

(children laughing)

- [Suzy] This is good!

- [George] I want some cake.

- [Suzy] I'd like some cake, George.

(Suga crying)

- [Child] Mm, this is good!

(somber music)

- [Agnes Voiceover] And so at last came the day,

September 11th, 1945.

And this was how it dawned, with a strange calm and quiet.

- Where are the guards?

They're gone!

The guards have gone!

The guards have gone! - They've gone.

- The guards have gone.

They've gone! (triumphant music)

(all cheering)

- Oh, they've freed everybody!

The men are coming too!

- Mommy, the soldiers are here!

(voices clamoring)

(siren wailing)

(horns honking)

(all shouting)

- Will we see Daddy?

- Darling, I hope so!

- Did you,

did you see?

- Joe!

Joe, oh dear.

(woman crying)

♪ Praise God from whom all blessings flow ♪

♪ Praise Him all creatures here below ♪

♪ Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts ♪

♪ Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ♪

♪ Praise God from whom all blessings flow ♪

♪ Praise Him all creatures here below ♪

♪ Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts ♪

- I'm awfully tired, Mommy.

- All right dear.

I guess there's no use.

(bright music)

- Here comes somebody!

(somber music)

(joyous music)

- (gasping) Harry!