Under the Flag of the Rising Sun (1972)
"Gunki hatameku motoni" (original title)

Director:

Kinji Fukasaku

Writers:

Kinji Fukasaku, Norio Osada,

Stars:

Tetsurô Tanba, Sachiko Hidari, Shinjiro Ebara

Cast

Cast overview:
Tetsurô Tanba	...	Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
Sachiko Hidari	...	Sakie Togashi
Shinjiro Ebara
Isao Natsuyagi
Sanae Nakahara	...	Mrs. Ochi
Yumiko Fujita	...	Sakie's daughter
Noboru Mitani	...	Pvt. Tsuguo Terajima
Taketoshi Naitô
Kan'emon Nakamura	...	Major Senda

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

past | truth | literature | cannibalism | army | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Mystery | War

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

17 August 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Under the Flag of the Rising Sun

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shinsei Eigasha, Toho Film (Eiga) Co. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Kinji Fukasaku used his own money to buy the film rights to the novel.

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Quotes

Pvt. Tsuguo Terajima: I ate a man ... a man. But the world didn't change.

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Connections

Referenced in Black Sunshine: Conversations with T.F. Mou (2011)

User Reviews

The Best War Movie of all Time

There are three great war movies. This film is at the top of the list. You will not be able to get these images out of your thoughts. I would not categorize this film as anti-war; rather, I'd say it takes a realistic look at the battle/conflict it portrays and does not flinch at failing to romanticize any part of the story. You might see the narrator's story somewhat romantic, but the loss suffered here justifies the actions of the character. All in all a brilliant story of war like you have never seen it before. The story also examines bureaucratic Japan after the war – that's where the story really packs a punch.

There is beautiful scene involving a last meal that puts this writer/screen writer and this director at the top of my list. Great movie.

By the way, the other two great war movies are, "Battle of Algiers" and "Queimada."