Nankyoku monogatari (1983)

Two Japanese scientists, Ushioda and Ochi, develop a bond with their sled dogs while on an expedition in Antarctica. Ushioda and Ochi eventually leave Antarctica, only to return to search ... See full summary »

Director:

Koreyoshi Kurahara

Writers:

Tatsuo Nogami, Susumu Saji,

Stars:

Ken Takakura, Tsunehiko Watase, Eiji Okada

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken Takakura	...	Akira Ushioda
Tsunehiko Watase	...	Kenjirô Ochi
Eiji Okada	...	Chief Ozawa
Masako Natsume	...	Keiko Kitazawa
Keiko Oginome	...	Asako Shimura
Takeshi Kusaka	...	Morishima Kyoju
Shigeru Kôyama	...	Horigome Taicho
Sô Yamamura	...	Iwakiri Sencho
Jun Etô	...	Tokumitsu Taiin
Kôichi Satô	...	Toda Taicho
Shin Kishida	...	Kissaten Master
Takeshi Ôbayashi	...	Nonomiya Taicho
Shinji Kanai	...	Ozaki Taicho
Shinshô Nakamaru
Masafumi Satô

Storyline

Two Japanese scientists, Ushioda and Ochi, develop a bond with their sled dogs while on an expedition in Antarctica. Ushioda and Ochi eventually leave Antarctica, only to return to search for the dogs inadvertently marooned there.

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Plot Keywords:

antarctica | dog | japanese | expedition | glacier | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese Italian

Release Date:

23 July 1983 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Antarctica

Box Office

Gross:

$56,300,000 (Japan)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fuji Television Network, Gakken Co. Ltd., Kurahara Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min 143 min (1985 reissue)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Weakest link: Hitori gachi no hôsoku: Episode #1.3 (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Ai no ôrora"
Music by Tetsuji Hayashi
Lyrics by Tokiko Iwatani
Performed by Keiko Oginome
Courtesy of Canyon Records

User Reviews

Surprisingly moving

"Antarctica" is the story of the men and dogs of Japan's Antarctic research station in the 50's. Ushioda, Ochi and the rest of the team are forced to leave the dogs behind with Antarctic winter approaching, on the understanding that another team is to arrive in a few days. Once on board the ice breaker, they discover to their horror that due to the weather, no one will be able to make it back until the next spring. The dogs are left chained up to fend for themselves.

The story from there is a mixture of fact and conjecture, concerning what the few dogs who were able to escape their chains, did, and how two did survive until the next spring.

The fate of some of these dogs is very sad, and you may not want to watch this if you're a sensitive dog lover. But, the survival of the lucky ones is inspiring. The dogs are not portrayed as in a children's movie (overly cute) but are shown realistically, being kicked by their masters when they fight, and in one scene, savagely attacking a seal when desperate for food. (which, by the way, looks absolutely real - PETA would not be happy!!) The film goes back and forth between the dogs' plight in Antarctica and Ushioda & Ochi back in Japan, who are beside themselves with guilt and grief over the fate of the dogs.

I was so drawn in to this movie, that when Ushioda & Ochi return the following spring, and are scanning the station from the helicopter, that I found myself straining to see with them, looking hopefully for any sign of life.

Ultimately this is a story about man's relationship with dogs, and the unbreakable bond of love that exists between them.