Prison Ship (1945 film)

Prison Ship is a 1945 American war drama film directed by Arthur Dreifuss and starring Robert Lowery, Nina Foch, and Richard Powers (billed as Tom Neal).

The film tells the story of American prisoners of war held captive on a Japanese prison ship during World War II. The narrative focuses on the brutal conditions aboard the ship, the prisoners' struggles for survival, and their attempts to resist their captors. Specific plot points involve disease outbreaks, starvation, acts of sabotage, and the moral dilemmas faced by the prisoners under extreme circumstances. The film culminates in the sinking of the prison ship, and the survivors' attempts to reach safety.

While considered a B-movie, Prison Ship is representative of the wartime propaganda films produced during and shortly after World War II. It aimed to portray the brutality of the Japanese and galvanize support for the war effort. It is notable for its depiction of the harsh realities faced by POWs and for its attempt to convey the psychological impact of captivity. The film has been the subject of discussions concerning historical accuracy and the biases inherent in wartime filmmaking.