Watch Three Came Home

Three Came Home is a 1950 American war film based on the autobiographical book by Agnes Newton Keith, which tells the gripping story of her and her family's experiences during the Japanese occupation of Borneo during the Second World War. Directed by Jean Negulesco, the movie stars Claudette Colbert as Agnes, Patric Knowles as her husband Harry Keith, and Florence Desmond as Betty Sommers, a fellow prisoner of war.

The story is set in 1941 and revolves around Agnes, her husband, and their young son who live a comfortable life in Borneo where Harry is stationed for his job. However, their peace is shattered when the Japanese invade and the family is forced to flee their home and are ultimately captured and taken to a prisoner of war camp in Sandakan, North Borneo. The movie then depicts the harsh realities that they face in the camp and their fight to survive against all odds.

Claudette Colbert delivers a powerful performance as Agnes Keith, portraying her character's courage, resilience, and determination to protect her son in the face of unimaginable horrors. The actress won critical acclaim for her portrayal, and it is often considered one of her best performances.

Patric Knowles, on the other hand, plays Harry, a dutiful husband, and father, who faces his own challenges in captivity. His character's transformation and resignation to his fate show the harsh realities of war and the psychological toll it can take on a person.

Florence Desmond plays Betty Sommers, a fellow prisoner of war who befriends Agnes in the camp. Desmond's performance adds a touch of humanity to the otherwise bleak surroundings of the camp, and her character's selflessness and kindness towards her fellow prisoners are inspiring.

The film brilliantly captures the horrors of war and the inhuman treatment that the prisoners of war endure. The scenes in the camp are claustrophobic and tense, and the story's pace is slow, adding a sense of realism to the movie.

One of the most powerful scenes in the film is when Agnes and her fellow prisoners are forced to dig their graves and then kneel beside them to await their execution. The scene is gut-wrenching and poignantly captures the fear and helplessness that the prisoners endured during their captivity.

The movie's cinematography is also noteworthy, capturing the beauty of Borneo's jungles and landscapes contrasted with the brutality of war. The film's music is haunting and evocative, adding an emotional depth to the movie's powerful visuals.

Overall, Three Came Home is a powerful and poignant film that depicts the horrors of war and the human capacity for resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. The stellar performances, the haunting music, and the stunning visuals make it a must-watch for anyone interested in war movies or stories of human endurance. The film's message of hope and the triumph of the human spirit resonates even today and is a testament to the human capacity to survive and overcome even the most difficult challenges.

Three Came Home is a 2005 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.