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Tenko

1981 – 1984Show3 seasons30 episodesNR

DramaWar & Politics
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.5
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.5

Summary

Based on real-life experiences, Tenko remains one of the most fondly remembered and acclaimed BBC dramas of the early 1980s. It follows a group of women, formerly comfortably well-off ex-pats living in Singapore, as they are captured by the Japanese during World War II.

Good for

  • Friends night
  • Binge-friendly
  • Thought-provoking

Skip it if

  • You need an uplifting mood

Where to watch

Set your services

Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Shows with

Tenko episodes

3 seasons · 30 episodes

  1. S1 E1 Shattered Dreams, 8.2
  2. S1 E2 All Aboard, 8.6
  3. S1 E3 Internment, 8.7
  4. S1 E4 What Would You Do For..., 8.5
  5. S1 E5 Malaria, 8.4
  6. S1 E6 Rape, 8.5
  7. S1 E7 Unnatural Friendship, 8.1
  8. S1 E8 Escape, 8.7
  9. S1 E9 Five Hundred Hats, 8.9
  10. S1 E10 Christmas, 8.6
  1. S2 E1 Part One, 8.6
  2. S2 E2 Part Two, 8.5
  3. S2 E3 Part Three, 8.6
  4. S2 E4 Part Four, 8.4
  5. S2 E5 Part Five, 8.6
  6. S2 E6 Part Six, 8.4
  7. S2 E7 Part Seven, 8.7
  8. S2 E8 Part Eight, 9.1
  9. S2 E9 Part Nine, 9.1
  10. S2 E10 Part Ten, 9.1
  1. S3 E1 Episode #3.1, 8.7
  2. S3 E2 Episode #3.2, 8.5
  3. S3 E3 Episode #3.3, 8.1
  4. S3 E4 Episode #3.4, 8.2
  5. S3 E5 Episode #3.5, 8.2
  6. S3 E6 Episode #3.6, 8.2
  7. S3 E7 Episode #3.7, 8.1
  8. S3 E8 Episode #3.8, 8.3
  9. S3 E9 Episode #3.9, 7.9
  10. S3 E10 Episode #3.10, 8.6

Cast

24 of 49 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Jeremy Summers, Pennant Roberts, Michael Owen Morris
Written by
Anne Valery, Jill Hyem, Paul Wheeler
Music by
James Harpham

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 22, 1981 · December 10, 1984 · Ended

First aired
October 22, 1981
Last aired
December 10, 1984
Status
Ended
Length
3 seasons · 30 episodes
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language
Genres
Drama, War & Politics
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom
Available in
2 countries

Tropes

Great Offscreen War, Berserk Button, Parental Substitute +9

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Tenko?"

Questions about Tenko

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Tenko?

It streams in 2 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Tenko worth watching?

84
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84 (IMDb 8.5).

How long does it take to watch Tenko?

30 h

About 30 hours: 30 episodes in 3 seasons of about 60 minutes each, aired from 1981 to 1984.

Is Tenko plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does Tenko use?

Great Offscreen WarBerserk ButtonParental SubstituteReality Is UnrealisticTime SkipThe LoadWham EpisodeRemember the New Guy?Sanity SlippageThe MedicEvery Man Has His PriceOh, Crap!and 54 more

TV Tropes lists 66 tropes for it, including Great Offscreen War, Berserk Button, and Parental Substitute.