Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

Breakout (1984)

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clip Escape education content clip 1, 3

This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

Over 300 prisoners escaped into the countryside surrounding the camp. Mr Kawaguchi tells the story of his and his friends’ plans to jump under a train to avoid returning to captivity. Luckily for them, the train was late.

Curator’s notes

The stories of the POWs after they left the camp make for compelling viewing. Some stayed free for over a week, many were recaptured and several took their own lives. While there were Australians that shot to kill, others fed the escapees and sent them on their way.