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IMDbPro

The Wind Cannot Read

  • 19581958
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
357
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
71,833
24,442
The Wind Cannot Read (1958)
DramaRomanceWar
During World War II, Flight Lieutenant Michael Quinn (Sir Dirk Bogarde), a British officer stationed in Asia, is recruited by Army Intelligence, is tasked with learning Japanese to interroga... Read allDuring World War II, Flight Lieutenant Michael Quinn (Sir Dirk Bogarde), a British officer stationed in Asia, is recruited by Army Intelligence, is tasked with learning Japanese to interrogate Japanese P.O.W.s and he falls in love with his pretty Japanese teacher "Sabby" (Suzuki ... Read allDuring World War II, Flight Lieutenant Michael Quinn (Sir Dirk Bogarde), a British officer stationed in Asia, is recruited by Army Intelligence, is tasked with learning Japanese to interrogate Japanese P.O.W.s and he falls in love with his pretty Japanese teacher "Sabby" (Suzuki San) (Yôko Tani).
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
357
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
71,833
24,442
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Ralph Thomas
    • Writer
      • Richard Mason(novel)
    • Stars
      • Dirk Bogarde
      • Yôko Tani
      • Ronald Lewis
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Ralph Thomas
    • Writer
      • Richard Mason(novel)
    • Stars
      • Dirk Bogarde
      • Yôko Tani
      • Ronald Lewis
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos14

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    1/2 sheet, 28 x 22
    Insert Movie Poster
    The Wind Cannot Read (1958)
    The Wind Cannot Read (1958)
    The Wind Cannot Read (1958)
    The Wind Cannot Read (1958)
    The Wind Cannot Read (1958)
    The Wind Cannot Read (1958)
    The Wind Cannot Read (1958)
    The Wind Cannot Read (1958)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dirk Bogarde
    Dirk Bogarde
    • Flight Lieutenant Michael Quinn
    Yôko Tani
    Yôko Tani
    • 'Sabby' [Suzuki San]
    • (as Yoko Tani)
    Ronald Lewis
    Ronald Lewis
    • Squadron Leader Fenwick
    John Fraser
    John Fraser
    • Flying Officer Peter Munroe
    Anthony Bushell
    Anthony Bushell
    • The Brigadier
    Marne Maitland
    Marne Maitland
    • Bahadur
    Michael Medwin
    Michael Medwin
    • Flying Officer Lamb
    Richard Leech
    Richard Leech
    • Hobson
    Tony Wager
    Tony Wager
    • Moss
    • (as Anthony Wager)
    Tadashi Ikeda
    • Itsumi San
    Heihachirô Ôkawa
    • Lieutenant Nakamura
    • (as Henry Okawa)
    Yoichi Matsue
    • Corporal Mori
    Donald Pleasence
    Donald Pleasence
    • The Doctor
    Joy Michael
    • First Nurse
    Avice Landone
    Avice Landone
    • Second Nurse
    Shivendra Sinha
    • Indian servant
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ralph Thomas
    • Writer
      • Richard Mason(novel) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The last movie to play the Roxy Theatre in New York City, New York.
    • Goofs
      Toward the film's end, Dirk Bogarde and two others are captured by the Japanese. The Japanese officer questions them in the first scene with Bogarde standing on the viewer's right. After their Indian driver runs away and is shot, the next scene moves back to the two British officers, and Bogarde is now seen standing on the left.
    • Quotes

      Brigadier: I was 17 years in Tokyo and I got so used to squatting Japanese fashion on the floor that an ordinary chair would give me pins and needles.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits prologue: BURMA 1942

      "Though on the sign it is written: 'Don't pluck these blossoms'- it is useless against the wind, which cannot read."

      • JAPANESE POEM


      INDIA 1943
    • Connections
      Referenced in Absolute Beginners (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      The Wind Cannot Read
      Written and Composed by Peter Hart

      and Sung by Vera Lynn

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A very unusual sort of war film.
    Flight Lieutenant Michael Quinn (Dirk Bogarde) has seen a lot of action in the RAF and is itching for something different. So he volunteers for duty with Army Intelligence and goes to school to learn the Japanese language. However, a problem develops when a pretty Japanese language instructor, Sabbi (Yôko Tani) arrives. She and Michael fall in love and marry. So why is this a problem? Well, he never asked for permission to marry through military channels--and might result in him being severely disciplined. So, they keep their marriage a secret and hope for the best. But there are two problems. First, there is an officer who is a total jerk and could LOVE to see Quinn in hot water. Second, something is wrong with Sabbi...something she hasn't told her husband. and then, there's a third problem which comes along a bit later. What's next? Well, see the film and find out for yourself.

    What I appreciate most about this film is that it is unique. There must have been a bazillion war movies but so many of them have a sameness about them...but not this one. Well acted, well made and very engaging...this one's worth your time.
    helpful•4
    2
    • planktonrules
    • Jan 12, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 14, 1958 (Denmark)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • ...denn der Wind kann nicht lesen
    • Filming locations
      • Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • The Rank Organisation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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