A Savage Christmas: The Fall of Hong Kong

A Savage Christmas: The Fall of Hong Kong

  • Overview
  • Cast
  • Crew
  • Recommendations

Status

Released

Release Date

Jan 12, 1992

Runtime

1h 40m

Genres

Documentary, War

User Score

100%

Original Title

A Savage Christmas: The Fall of Hong Kong

Production Companies

CBC, ONF | NFB

Director

Brian McKenna

Description

The documentary, using the dramatization of fact, makes the case that the Canadian government knowingly sent two unprepared infantry battalions to help defend Hong Kong in late 1941, fully aware that they may have been on a doomed mission. The C Force, consisting of about 2000 soldiers from the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada (from Quebec City) were, with the other British, Indian and Hong Kong troops, attacked on December 8, 1941 and overwhelmed by Japanese troops, leading to numerous casualties and the surrender on Christmas day. The Canadians would spend more than 3 and half years as prisoners of war, in horrible conditions. Part of "The Valour and the Horror" mini series.