The Unknown War (1989)
The Unknown War (1989) This British documentary addresses the political and military issues of the Korean War, 1950-1953. It maintains, correctly, that the POW issues contributed significantly to prolonging the conflict for at least two years. It fairly criticizes U. S. and UN policies severely, especially concerning how the Allies treated North Korean and Communist Chinese POWs. Special focus is given to the prison riots in Koje-Do and Cheju-Do Islands.
This is an even-balanced documentary. It addresses the brutal treatment the North Koreans of mostly American POWs in their hands; shows: how and why the Chinese relieved the North Koreans of the POWs after too many had died. ; the ruthlessness of the North Korean major known as the “Tiger”; the communist attempt at political reeducation, wrongly termed as “brainwashing” in the American press; and those twenty-one Americans and one British Marine who decided to remain in China after the end of hostilities instead of accepting repatriation. This work is an outstanding contribution to understanding the rigors of the Korean War in general and the POW problems in the Cold War. Robert C. Doyle Franciscan University of Steubenville rcdoyle@sbsglobal.net
