Two Interesting Asian Films about WWII

[joea]

I have not seen these films but plan to-they look excellent.

First, who said no Japanese know anything about the horrors their military inflicted during the war?

The Human Condition:

http://www.amazon.ca/Human-Condition...9097136&sr=1-1

Masaki Kobayashi***8217;s mammoth humanist drama is one of the most staggering achievements of Japanese cinema. Originally filmed and released in three parts, the nine-and-a-half-hour The Human Condition (Ningen no joken), adapted from Junpei Gomikawa***8217;s six-volume novel, tells of the journey of the well-intentioned yet naive Kaji (handsome Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor to Imperial Army soldier to Soviet POW. Constantly trying to rise above a corrupt system, Kaji time and again finds his morals an impediment rather than an advantage. A raw indictment of its nation***8217;s wartime mentality as well as a personal existential tragedy, Kobayashi***8217;s riveting, gorgeously filmed epic is novelistic cinema at its best.

A user review:

Masaki Kobayashi, the acclaimed director of Japanese classics such as "HARA-KIRI" and "Samurai Rebellion" has always made a powerful stance against established authority. He made a scathing indictment of the "Code of Bushido" and criticized the way samurai clans have treated its retainers and their families. Kobayashi's "THE HUMAN CONDITION" is his fearless indictment of the war itself that criticizes established authority. Based on the novel by Jumpei Gomikawa, this film trilogy is arguably Kobayashi's finest films, its strong existential themes, the manner of which it exposes the aspects of good and evil, and the thin line between morality and immorality is truly masterful. The trilogy focuses on the exploits of Kaji during World War II. Kaji's development as a man, as a husband, as a soldier, and later as a prisoner of war is brought to exposition by Masaki Kobayashi.

Nine hours though.

Second An interesting Korean film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606384/

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/engli...nt/507281.html

Inspired by a true story. Jun Shik works for Tatsuo's grandfather's farm while Korea is colonized by Japan, but he has a dream to participate in Tokyo Olympics as a marathon runner. Tatsuo also aims to become a marathon runner, so the two are in rivalry. But war breaks out and they both are forced to enlist in the army. Tatsuo becomes the head of defense in Jun Shik's unit and he devises a scheme but fails. Jun Shik and Tatsuo are captured by the Soviets. They run away but soon are captured by Germans and forced to separate. In 1944, they meet again at the shores of Normandy.

Holy cow!!!

Anyone seen either of these films? Any other interesting films on WWII or any other war from an unusual (ie. non-Hollywood) angle?

[Eisenwurst]

Hi Joea. I haven't seen these films, but you ask about non hollywood good war films. I can think of a few.
Firstly "The Admiral"-Russian film that came out just a couple of years ago, about Admiral Koltchak the Russo-Japanese war hero. Focussing on his life during WW1 and the Russian Civil War when he was White Russian leader. Great, dignified film, and very moving.
Secondly, "The Red Baron" the German film of 2008 about guess who. I found it very exciting but the sound levels were a bit all over the place.
Thirdly another Russian film, "Alexander Nevsky" - A bit out of our period here but God what a film.
"Das Boot" of course.
And a "war" film that often gets overlooked, "Viva Maria" with Bridget Bardot. Doesn't take itself seriously and is a lot of fun to watch.
They're the only ones that come to mind just now, but I do recommend them, especially the last one.
Cheers.
P.S. Just remembered "Zulu" truly one of the Great's.

[nikimcbee]

"The Admiral"-

Own it. I love the opening scene of the movie.

"Alexander Nevsky"

Great film. I have the enhanced soundtrack.

I didn't like the Red Baron. One, the dude playing the Red Baron looked too much like this guy:


And his character was too whiney. It just proved to me that the Germans were just as capabale of making a movie as silly as Flyboys.

[nikimcbee]

@Joe, have you seen the Yamato movie?

[August]

This was a good movie although very dark.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by August

This was a good movie although very dark.

Never seen this one but I goggled it... sounds very interesting.Thanks.

[joea]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

@Joe, have you seen the Yamato movie?

No. Hard to get here. I always try the local shops, better try Amazon I guess.

[Cybermat47]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

I didn't like the Red Baron. One, the dude playing the Red Baron looked too much like this guy:


And his character was too whiney. It just proved to me that the Germans were just as capabale of making a movie as silly as Flyboys.

I've heard of that movie. Apparently ther were riots in Berlin at it's German premiere. No joke.
Here's one line from the movie:

Aim at the machine, not the man.

Here's what von Richtofen Actually said:

Aim for the gunner. once you have taken care of him, you can take out the pilot.

I hate it when they misrepresent war heroes.