Tenko - The Complete Series [DVD]

'Tenko' is one of the few complete television series that I can watch regularly (every year at least) and enjoy just as much every single time. I was in my mid teens when it first appeared on BBC1 and I loved it even then. The subject matter was quite unique at the time (and unusual even now) as was the fact that the series was comprised of a largely female ensemble cast. It covers the entire period from the fall of Singapore to the eventual release and rehabilitation of the women some three and a half years later. Along the way, the main cast move between three very different internment camps. Costume and make up are to be applauded as the cast convey, very convincingly, the physical changes over the years - sores and sunburn and gashes and scars and, most of all, the effects of near starvation. Perhaps by today's standards, the brutality of the Japanese captors is not as vivid as it might be but it is nevertheless portrayed convincingly and their are many truly shocking moments, especially some of the scenes of torture, eg days staked out in the sun with no food or water! Inevitably, in some respects, it might seem a little dated now. The cinematography shows its age (some strange mixes of film and video) and its all quite 'talky'. Long scenes of dialogue don't seen to be 'a thing' anymore and its a shame. Here, it gives the stories and characters a real chance to breathe. SPOILERS BELOW**** The cast are generally excellent and it is wonderful to have some 30 hours to get to know most of these women - you really get to care about them. Of course, when it comes to favourite performances, such things are subjective. My own personal favourites were Stephanie Cole (who charts the journey of Beatrice Mason from cool, detached doctor to vulnerable, impulsive friend with such brilliance), Patricia Lawrence (whose starchy and unlikeable Dutch nun turns into one of the warmest characters in the series), Stephanie Beacham (bitchy socialite who quickly finds her heart) and perhaps especially Veronica Roberts! Roberts does amazing things with the character of Dorothy Bennett who starts off as a sheltered young wife and mother who loses both husband and baby, becomes a selfish and bitter bitch who sells herself to the guards for her own comforts, transforms again through unlikely friendships with Sister Ulrica and Blanche into a less selfish and more pragmatic woman and finally into a confident and successful businesswoman - its something of a tour de force! Arguably the main role is that of Marion Jefferson, portrayed by Ann Bell. Whilst I liked Bell very much - and its difficult not to like Marion - I do think that some of the other characters are more memorable. All the women have their moments even in the smaller roles and even though there were some actresses I was less fond of (Kate, Christina, Maggie) they all get at least a few moments in which to shine. Each series is quite distinct. The first charts the fall of Singapore through to Christmas in the first (very basic) camp. I suspect that this is the most true to life section - conditions are very poor and medical supplies are practically non-existent. We lose a couple of characters in series two as the women are moved to their next and more comfortable camp (I especially missed Nellie) but this series was my favourite. I suspect that it is less realistic in some respects as the plot moves into more soapy territory of mysteries and intrigues surrounding the new camp bitches Verna and Miss Hasan but, I have to admit, I loved it. The new characters are brilliant, not just Verna, Hasan and Marion's old school chum Lillian but smaller roles such as Daisy and Dr Trier, and this is where some of the best character growth comes into play. This is the series where Dorothy, Sister Ulrica, Mrs Van Meyer, Rose and even Marion herself become fully fleshed out people. Series 3 comes at the end of the war and deals largely with life back in the 'normal' world. Its good, although perhaps not as good as the first two series. Its a pity to lose Dorothy halfway through and I'm not too fond of 'Blanche replacement' Maggie. Its also a pity that all the new series 2 characters are dropped but the third series still has plenty of good stuff and perhaps this is where the likes of Ann Bell, Jean Anderson and Elizabeth Chambers have some of their best moments. The Re-Union is fun too - five years after the war ends - and its good to see what has become of the women. Perhaps the scene at Mrs Van Meyer's house (where the women are forced to relive some of their camp nightmares) seems a little forced in retrospect but obviously some threat and tension was needed within the programme and it all works well enough. I can't recommend 'Tenko' highly enough. Its really a splendid, landmark series and is (in my opinion) just as good today as it was back in the eighties.

This series was very good.my sister requested the complete series .she's extremely pleased

All good

Loved watching this again

I ordered this box set last October so that I'd have it in ready to watch in full during the cold dark days of January. First series: fine. I got to the second series however and, like other reviewers of this item, found that one of the discs had been labelled wrongly and should've been in the series three box. No problem, just swapped that disc with the one from series three and off I went again. Settled down to carry on watching and, hey presto!, halfway through episode two the disc stalled and then swtiched, miraculously, to halfway through an episode of series three! Have you kept up with that? If you have, you may be able to tell that I wasn't impressed - who would be? Anyway, got in touch with Amazon who, it must be said, were absolutely first class in sorting this problem out. I spoke to an advisor on Sunday, was asked to send the set back which I did on Monday, and on Tuesday received the new replacement box set. First class service indeed. The only thing wrong with this whole transaction is that I've now had to fast forward through every episode to make sure there were no errors made with this replacement set - which means that I've been reminded of the story without actually having sat down to watch it through properly. A great shame, but I shall continue watching anyway. Tenko was a fantastic series first time around and, had the above not happened, I would have given 5 stars and urged people to add this to their collections. I've only dropped one star because Amazon were terrific in their handling of the problem and the stars of Tenko itself deserve more! If you do decide to buy this set - after all it does work out cheaper than buying each series and the reunion episode separately - I would urge you to check every episode thoroughly before watching so that you don't have the same experience as me (and others).

Great box set, first watched it when it was on tv & it’s just as brilliant now. 👍

Tenko has to be one of my favourite tv series, even though I was not born during its initial run, I caught some repeats on one of the channels when I was about 16 and have wanted the series on dvd ever since. It has taken me until now (I am 28) to get this series and I can honestly say I really loved it all over again and had indeed forgotten much of the contents of the series since I had last watched it It is a most excellent, well acted and very powerful series and I think, always will be no matter how aged in time it gets. Everyone in this series is a great actress who takes her role seriously and portrays the situation so well you feel like you are actually watching the real camp. Tenko is by far one of the best series made and I would recommend it to anyone. I did not have any problems with the disks being mixed up like some people did, it is a shame that that has happened to some as I am sure it will have spoiled the enjoyment but in my case, the disks were all fine, in perfect working order and in chronological order too.

This is a really great series about women in a Japanese concentration camp in World War 2. It starts off in complete contrast when life is luxurious for the women & you get to know the background of some of the characters before the fall of Singapore. They try to leave too late due to government gagging the media & their ship is sunk & they manage to get ashore on an unknown island and are captured & separated from the men & have to walk a long way to the camp. When they get there, they find they have to live in huts you wouldn't keep chickens in & have to make the best of it. There are some great characters & relationships, some survive & some are lost but the series is not depressing as you might expect, but you see how women of different personalities & backgrounds eventually become united through common hardship & experience. It doesn't simply end when they're rescued either, there is more to overcome as they try to fit back into society after being so changed & a reunion several years later.

The series was made in the 80s WWII as the Japanese moved down the Peninsula English and Australian troops were ordered to surrender. Women were particularly harshly treated the Japanese did not want to waste resources on Imperial British Women. They endured a gruelling war and I recommend this series. It is entertaining but it brings their stories to life.

Esta serie de la BBC, que en su dia fue emitida por la televisión de Catalunya, es, para mi, una obra maestra. Es por eso que cuando he visto la oportunidad de recuperarla no he dudado ni un segundo. En esta serie la BBC se supera a si misma y ofrece un producto de gran calidad y de difícil igualar. Todo en la serie rezuma calidad y bien hacer, la ambientación, las interpretaciones magistrales, el reflejo de lo que fue en realidad es digno de ocupar un lugar muy prominente en cuanto a series televisivas. La he comprado en homenaje a este saber hacer tan magnífico.

Loved this series when first aired . It is still as powerful now. Unflinching look at life in a Japanese prison camp during WW11.

An amazing series dealing with the little known experiences of women in the Japanese internment camps in Asia during WWII. Gut wrenching watch at times and not a politically corrected version of people's every day speech and in the times context of speech ( which can make for difficult viewing at times BUT IS ACCURATE AND IN CONTEXT to how even decent people could say things we consider unacceptable today. Had to buy a universal blu-ray/DVD player to get this but worth every penny!

It's a good series which give you a bit of an insight of a womans life in a Japanese Prisoner of war camp in the 1940s and what they did to survive