Longinus (2004)

Director:

Ryûhei Kitamura

Writers:

Isao Kiriyama, Ryûhei Kitamura,

Stars:

Taro Kanazawa, Takehiro Katayama, Yumi Kikuchi

Cast

Credited cast:
Taro Kanazawa	...	Tall soldier
Takehiro Katayama	...	Soldier
Yumi Kikuchi	...	Commander
Toshiyuki Kitami	...	Doctor
Shion Machida	...	Female vampire
Minoru Matsumoto	...	Short soldier
Kazuhito Ohba	...	Male vampire
Hideo Sakaki	...	Head vampire
Atsushi Sakurai	...	Mysterious Man
Kanae Uotani	...	Nurse

Storyline

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Genres:

Action | Short

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

25 August 2004 (Japan)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

40 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[last lines]
Nurse: The Spear of Longinus. It's believed to be a spear that makes miracles happen. It's true. It can change despair into hope.

User Reviews

Evil stops hiding during war...

This short story takes place during a war going on for a reason most people have forgotten. The film kicks off with a dying doctor in a hospital that is to be shut down soon. Before he dies the doc shares his views on the power-game that goes on in the world. As usual in Kitamura films there are a myriad of interesting thoughts behind his words.

By now, you still don't know what the movie is gonna be about... (that is if the title didn't give it away for you)

The actors and actresses Kitamura uses will be familiar if you have seen "versus" or any other Kitamura movie. It might even make you cheer to see them mixed up in this one. (I actually like that he uses the same people for his movies... why replace them when they're doing well?)

The characters look convincing and the scenery is good. Nice camera-work too. And I believe there were only 7 or 8 sets used... maybe more though. I reminded me of Aragami because of this.

WARNING: SPOILER!

After the doc gets cremated and the main characters are ready to leave, a squad with a secret mission comes knocking on the door. One of their members has been wounded by 'something'. Next a mysterious guy walks through the door, who claims the wounded member of their group has been bitten by a vampire.

The movie seems to take a turn here from being about the cruelty of mankind, to what seems to be a vampire-plot. But I think the only thing that really happens is that we are shown a comparison between the evil we call 'monstrous' and the evil we call 'human'.

The guy that walks in almost literally tells them when he says: "In the ashes of war, death and violence are everywhere. They have no reason to hide themselves anymore."

Anyway, the group is carrying the "spear of longinus", which can basically harm or heal. I think in the end the choice is up to the one wielding it... just like the doctor said in his opening speech.

The end I'm not gonna spoil for you. Just watch this one, it's short but good.

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As for a rating it deserves an 8 on a scale of 1 to 11... :-) Why? because it should have been longer :-D ...and that's a compliment!