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Lorelei (2005)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
5 March 2005 (Japan) morePlot:
A drama set during World War II where a submarine carrying a secret weapon attempts to stop a planned third atomic bombing of Japan. Based on Harutoshi Fukui's novel Shuusen no Lorelei. | add synopsisUser Comments:
Review of Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean moreCast
(Credited cast)| Kôji Yakusho | ... | Masami Shin'ichi | |
| Satoshi Tsumabuki | ... | Yukito Origasa | |
| Toshirô Yanagiba | ... | Kizaki Toshiro | |
| Yu Kashii | ... | Paula Atsuko Ebner | |
| Shin'ichi Tsutsumi | ... | Asakura Ryokitsu | |
| Ken Ishiguro | ... | Narumi Takasu | |
| Colter Allison | ... | Lt. Eric Minott | |
| David Austin | ... | Lt. Dodet | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Nicholas Dombrovskis | ... | German Scientist | |
| Christopher Ryan Doyle | ... | Captain's Talker | |
| Norman England | ... | Sonar Operator #1 | |
| Caroline Paris Gluck | ... | Girl on Beach | |
| Isao Hashizume | ... | Sadamoto Nishimiya | |
| Masatô Ibu | ... | Eitaro Narazaki | |
| Takaya Kamikawa | ... | Man | |
| Kreva | ... | Shunpei Komatsu | |
| Jun Kunimura | ... | Matoi Tokioka | |
| Matt Lagan | ... | Submarine captain | |
| Dave Monahan | ... | Radio Operator | |
| Takehiko Ono | ... | Shichigoro Iwamura | |
| Shûgo Oshinari | |||
| Tyrone Power Jr. | ... | US Battleship Captain | |
| Ryuta Sato | ... | Kikuo Kiyonaga | |
| Fred Spiker | ... | Warrant Officer Nick Nelson | |
| Pierre Taki | ... | Tokutaro Taguchi | |
| Yoshiyuki Tomino | ... | Ouwada | |
| Shingo Tsurumi | ... | Sankichi Oominato | |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
Japan:128 minCountry:
JapanColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Dolby DigitalFilming Locations:
Toho Studios, Tokyo, JapanFun Stuff
Trivia:
The design of the I-507 submarine is based upon a real one : the french submarine 'Surcouf', launched in 1929, was the biggest submarine ever launched at the time. moreSoundtrack:
Wiegenlied (Cradle Song) moreFAQ
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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Lorelei (2005)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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| Why so massive 'down-voting' of this movie? | MellowB |
| Rubbish | ad_nauseum |
| Waste of time | supra-micke |
| DVD?? | nastymousepelts |
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A fun Sci-Fi World War II film! Sci-fi WWII film you may ask? Well even if you didn't, pretend to be intrigued and shocked by the concept. :P I thought it it was pretty cool. The set up is simple: Having received a highly advanced submarine from Germany, the Japanese deploy it, just days after the Hiroshima A-Bomb, to seek out a transport ship carrying the 2nd bomb. The sub has a secret weapon, called the Lorelei System, and all of the crew are drawn into the mystery of what exactly it is.
Needless to say, you've probably worked out that Lorelei itself is the Sci-fi element, and it works well, even though it feels at times like a device to push forward the partially allegorical storyline. "What do you fight for?" is the question asked by this film, and by exploring the answers given, it has something to say to us about war and life. The film is not any where near as heavy, or thematically dense as seen in Casshern, so it thankfully also delivers a thoughtful, drama with some cool action, to balance out the inward reflection.
Lorelei is a "What if?" film. If the World War 2 ended differently, what would that mean for Japan? There is a large degree of dialogue in the film; expositions from various heros and villains about the past and future of Japan. In this way, the film reminds me of anime. It's not just the philosophical speeches, it's the action scenes, the characters, and the style. Anyone who has seen Captain Herlock, Yamato, or even Blue Submarine No. 6, will feel it. I for one think it is a strength, though many will see it as a flaw.
Western audiences like their fantasy, obvious and total - 100% fantasy, or nothing - which is why I think many western audiences will be laughing inappropriately through out this film. I for one, cheered many a time during the action scenes, but I love anime, and - it's a movie. If you are looking for Das Boot, then watch Das Boot. Lorelei is fun.
The acting is all very well done, and there a few veterans in there that give some great credibility to the story. In fact there are many familiar faces in there, and it's a thrill just to count them.
The CG is very good, especially for a non-Hollywood film - or should I say, non-ILM film. The graphics look generally realistic, but the compositing looks surreal at times. There is a dreamlike nature to the sfx that reminded me of the aforementioned Casshern, that I really liked, though some viewers demanding photo realism may cringe. On the whole, the CG, when not on par with some higher budget offerings, is at least as good or better than some of the awesome cut-scenes seen in video-games nowadays.
The music is atmospheric and suitably militant and heroic when it needs to be. The haunting song of the Lorelei System is notably used in a few scenes to great effect. The sound was great, with all of the "submarine" sounds we love and expect. Can we ever get enough of that sonar sound? The DVD comes with THX certification, and Dolby and DTS tracks.
SO is Lorelei a good film? Well look at it this way: not all films are meant to be picking up "best film", and while this film is certainly one of them, it's a fun romp. Plus, since Fatherland, I am a sucker for Alternate History films. In all, the film can be quite cheesy, and contains a plot twist that I still don't fully understand, and I hope someone can enlighten me one day. However, EVEN when Lorelei is overly sentimental, and tries too-hard to pull your heartstrings, it is fun. With great anime inspired undersea battles, and an interesting and involving story, Lorelei is an enjoyable and exciting film to watch.
3/5 stars, or whatever unit you prefer ...