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Tenko

  • TV Series
  • 1981–19841981–1984
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
736
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Tenko (1981)
  • Drama
  • History
  • War
After the Japanese invasion of Singapore in February 1942, a group of British, Dutch and Australian women are held in a Japanese internment camp on a Japanese-occupied island between Singapo... Read allAfter the Japanese invasion of Singapore in February 1942, a group of British, Dutch and Australian women are held in a Japanese internment camp on a Japanese-occupied island between Singapore and Australia.After the Japanese invasion of Singapore in February 1942, a group of British, Dutch and Australian women are held in a Japanese internment camp on a Japanese-occupied island between Singapore and Australia.
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
736
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • Lavinia Warner
  • Stars
    • Ann Bell
    • Stephanie Cole
    • Claire Oberman
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Lavinia Warner
  • Stars
    • Ann Bell
    • Stephanie Cole
    • Claire Oberman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 27User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 6 BAFTA Awards
      • 1 win & 7 nominations total

    Episodes30

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos15

    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)
    Stephanie Beacham in Tenko (1981)
    Tenko (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ann Bell
    Ann Bell
    • Marion Jeffersonas Marion Jefferson
    30 episodes30 eps • 1981–1984
    Stephanie Cole
    Stephanie Cole
    • Dr. Beatrice Masonas Dr. Beatrice Mason
    30 episodes30 eps • 1981–1984
    Claire Oberman
    • Kate Norrisas Kate Norris
    30 episodes30 eps • 1981–1984
    Emily Bolton
    Emily Bolton
    • Christina Campbellas Christina Campbell
    27 episodes27 eps • 1981–1984
    Elizabeth Chambers
    • Mrs. Domenica Van Meyeras Mrs. Domenica Van Meyer…
    26 episodes26 eps • 1981–1984
    Veronica Roberts
    • Dorothy Bennettas Dorothy Bennett
    24 episodes24 eps • 1981–1984
    Patricia Lawrence
    • Sister Ulricaas Sister Ulrica
    21 episodes21 eps • 1981–1984
    Jean Anderson
    Jean Anderson
    • Lady Jocelyn 'Joss' Holbrookas Lady Jocelyn 'Joss' Holbrook…
    20 episodes20 eps • 1982–1984
    Stephanie Beacham
    Stephanie Beacham
    • Rose Millaras Rose Millar
    19 episodes19 eps • 1981–1982
    Burt Kwouk
    Burt Kwouk
    • Major Yamauchias Major Yamauchi…
    19 episodes19 eps • 1981–1984
    Eiji Kusuhara
    Eiji Kusuhara
    • Lt. Satoas Lt. Sato…
    17 episodes17 eps • 1981–1984
    Takashi Kawahara
    Takashi Kawahara
    • Shinyaas Shinya
    17 episodes17 eps • 1981–1982
    Takahiro Oba
    • Kasakias Kasaki…
    16 episodes16 eps • 1981–1984
    Louise Jameson
    Louise Jameson
    • Blanche Simmonsas Blanche Simmons
    13 episodes13 eps • 1981–1982
    Joanna Hole
    • Sally Markhamas Sally Markham
    11 episodes11 eps • 1981–1982
    Lizzie Mickery
    • Maggie Thorpeas Maggie Thorpe
    10 episodes10 eps • 1984
    Jeananne Crowley
    • Nellie Keeneas Nellie Keene
    10 episodes10 eps • 1981
    Cindy Shelley
    • Alice Courtenayas Alice Courtenay
    9 episodes9 eps • 1984
    • Creator
      • Lavinia Warner
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    Tenko Reunion
    8.2
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    8.4
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    7.4
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The title comes from the Japanese word meaning "roll-call", the procedure where inmates were lined up, counted, and had to bow to their captors.
    • Quotes

      [repeated lines]

      Mrs. Domenica Van Meyer: How dare you speak to me this way!

    • Connections
      Featured in Peep Show: Funeral (2003)

    User reviews27

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Exceptional
    For those people in the US who want to see Tenko again (or even for the first time as I don't know if it was ever on PBS), you can simply order it from Amazon.co.uk and have it sent over. It will take about a week to arrive. Make sure that you have a multi-region DVD player though! I have almost finished with the last season, and it is as good as I remember - perhaps even better. For those new to this series, the first episode of season 1 is a bit clunky, but give it time and space.

    The story and characters evolve through 3 prison camps in seasons 1 and 2. I still get chills down my spine remembering the revelation of how Rose was betrayed in season 2.

    Season 3 records the end of the war and the difficulties adjusting to a new life of freedom (??).

    The third season DVD set also includes the reunion, set in 1950.

    I think each season of Tenko is best seen continuously - say over a weekend. It is like reading a good book. But give it time between seasons. In many ways, each season is self-contained. Best to give it at least a few days between them.

    Invest in this series. You will be ever grateful that you did.
    helpful•13
    1
    • aejm
    • Dec 4, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 22, 1981 (Australia)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Filming locations
      • Dorset, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • Australian Broadcasting Commission
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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