The Railway Man

2014 R 1h 58m Blu-ray / DVD

The Railway Man

2014 R 1h 58m Blu-ray / DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
Decades after his brutal captivity under the Japanese during World War II, Eric Lomax still has nightmares about the ordeal. But when he unexpectedly meets and falls for Patti, a bizarre coincidence brings his past back into focus.
Cast
Nicole Kidman, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jeremy Irvine, Sam Reid, Marta Dusseldorp
Director
Jonathan Teplitzky
Format
Blu-ray DVD Streaming
Screen
Widescreen 1.78:1
Subtitles
English SDH, Spanish (Neutral)
CC
No
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Screen
Widescreen 1.78:1
Subtitles
English SDH, Spanish (Neutral)
CC
No
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Rating
R - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them. R - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them. -
age 16+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 16+
age 16+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that The Railway Man centers on an ex-soldier (Colin Firth) who was emotionally scarred by his years in a Japanese POW camp during WWII, to the point where he sometimes still imagines his captors are with him, decades later, torturing him anew. Nicole Kidman co-stars as his wife, who doesn't know how to handle these demons from the past when they rear their ugly heads -- in scenes that are likely too harrowing and intense for younger viewers. One scene also shows a character after having committed suicide. There's also some flirting, kissing, and social drinking, but the main issue of concern are the many scenes of POW torture. Themes of revenge and sacrifice are explored.

Sexual Content

A couple is shown embracing in bed in a tender moment. Some kissing.

Violence

Many sequences show soldiers being abused in a Japanese POW camp, including vicious beatings, cruel interrogations, and an extended water-torture scene. Prisoners who aren't tortured are starved and worked to the edge of death, and plenty of shots feature corpses or skeletons. One shot shows someone who has committed suicide.

Language

Not applicable

Social Behavior

The main character is long driven by revenge, but once he finally comes face to face with the man who tortured him long ago in a WWII POW camp, the former prisoner must choose whether he wants to act from rage or from forgiveness.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Some scenes show adults drinking in a pub.

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

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