Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle

The runtime of this film might seem daunting to those unfamiliar with the subject, but considering it spans thirty years of guerrilla activities by the Japanese army on the island of Lubang, it's quite understandable. Having read Onoda's book "No Surrender: My Thirty-Year War" many years ago, I was initially shocked by the unbelievable account, but the film couldn't catch me off guard. The creators handled the topic admirably, though they couldn't resist some unnecessary dramatization here and there (the addition of the character Iniez to the plot left me scratching my head - perhaps quotas?). However, both actors portraying Hiro Onoda did an excellent job resembling the original figure. Even though there was very little happening at times that even slightly hinted at action, the film kept me engaged throughout. I appreciated the story of perseverance, sense of duty, and the rigorous training that instills a distrust of false enemy propaganda. Onoda's unwavering approach was admirable, although it's likely that Filipinos, who suffered from his subversive activities, may have a different perspective. / Lesson learned: If you've reached your limit, grit your teeth and push through. 5*- (03/03/2022)