Available on Blu-ray and DVD from Well Go USA on 11/11/2025
During World War II, a British Wing Commander finds himself prisoner with an international group of men in a Japanese internment camp from which they must fight to escape.
Written by Scott Adkins and Marc Clebanoff and directed by Louis Mandylor, Prisoner of War is a decently well written and directed action war film with a touch of drama here and there. The film is clear made to showcase what Adkins can do and bring in a few other action folks to have some fun. The story is not particularly original and woefully predictable, but the final product is entertaining enough. Of course, there a few issues here and there, including continuity issues in the rain sequences where the rain starts and stops at random moments and between different angles. Given that this rain has the typical look of cinematic rain, where it is faked and comes down rather directly and straight down onto people and décor. These issues aside, the entertainment provided by the fight scenes should be enough for most Adkins fans.
The cast here is all done around star Scott Adkins who gives a predictable performance that works well for the film, giving his character charisma and some charm while kicking many folks and giving a bit of sword fighting as well to make sure the film is well-rounded in terms using all the man’s skills. The supporting cast get a whole lot less to do, but a few of them do stand out from the crowd. Peter Skinkoda is fantastic here, stealing a few scenes (even from Adkins at times) and showing that he’s got acting chops and can carry a heavy role. Michael Copon plays Sgt.Gabriel Villanueva, a supporting role, with presence and charisma as well. He makes the role his and attracts the attention of the viewer in a good way whenever he is on screen.
The cinematography by Niccolò de la Fère is solid here with his signature moves seen in the fight sequences where he follows the action and makes it all look stunning and dynamic. This man can shoot an action film. The editing by Austin Nordell also works quite well and does not fall in the usual traps of action film editing, allowing the viewer to see the action and fights while enjoying the work by the cinematographer.
Prisoner of War may not be the most exciting story due to its predictability, but the action is solid, the cinematography looks great, and the editing works well. It’s a technically solid action film that could have used a bit more time in the writing room. Fans of Adkins should enjoy the film and fights as well as some of his more “acting” scenes. He’s decent here as usual, but isn’t given all that much to do that we have not seen before.