Introduction
Changi is a six-part Australian television miniseries broadcast by ABC TV in 2001.
Outline
Eddie’s 78th birthday is approaching and he is shaving. He rubs his jaw as he remembers the ache of an old illness. His grandson Todd arrives at Eddie’s small, cluttered flat, bringing his girlfriend Lisa with him. More forthright than Todd, Lisa probes Eddie about his life and past.
In Changi, it is now 1945 and the young Eddie is increasingly troubled by a painful toothache. A new Japanese officer, Captain Shindo, arrives, having been sent by Tanaka to improve discipline and productivity at the camp. Taking a dislike to Eddie, Shindo repeatedly beats him, causing his tooth to become infected and inflamed, leaving Eddie in absolute agony.
With no anaesthetic, Dr Lawson operates on Eddie with his makeshift tools, removing the tooth. As Eddie slowly recovers, he asks his mates to shave him, as it is his 23rd birthday.
With news arriving of the British victory in Burma, Shindo, realising the war is lost, gets drunk and staggers into the prison compound, savagely beating Eddie and the others of the Secret 9. A defiant Dr Lawson demands that he stop and to everyone’s shock, the Captain draws his pistol and shoots himself in the head.
Changi Series
You can find a full index and overview of Changi here.
Production & Filming Details
- Release Date: 11 November 2001.
- Running time: 60 minutes (per episode).
- Rating: TV-MA.
- Country: Australia.
- Language: English.
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