The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961) Movie Script
A SHOCHIKU FILM
THE HUMAN CONDITION
Presented by
BUNGEI PRODUCTION and NINJIN CLUB
Produced by SHIGERU WAKATSUKI
and MASAKI KOBAYASHI
Based on the Novel by
JUNPEI GOMIKAWA
Screenplay by ZENZO MATSUYAMA,
KOICHI INAGAKI and MASAKI KOBAYASHI
Director of Photography
YOSHIO MIYAJIMA
Production Design KAZUE HIRATAKA
Music CHUJI KINOSHITA
Sound Recording HIDEO NISHIZAKI
Lighting AKIRA AOMATSU
Editing KEIICHI URAOKA
Assistant Producer TOSHIO SHIMIZU
Production Manager ZENPEI MORIYAMA
1st Assistant Director KOICHI INAGAKI
Assistant Directors
TAKESHI YOSHIDA / KANYA OTSU
Assistant Camera
SHUROKU UTSUMI
Set Design
TAKAMASA KOBAYASHI
Set Decoration
TETSUJI YAMAZAKI
Starring
TATSUYA NAKADAI
as Kaji
MICHIYO ARATAMA
as Michiko
TAMAO NAKAMURA as Refugee
YUSUKE KAWAZU as Terada
CHISHU RYU
as Old Man in Refugee Camp
TAKETOSHI NAITO as Tange
REIKO HITOMI as Umeko / KYOKO KISHIDA as Tatsuko
KEIJIRO MOROZUMI as Hironaka
KOJI KIYOMURA as Hikita / NOBUO KANEKO as Kirihara
FUJIO SUGA / KAZUO KITAMURA
TATSUYA ISHIGURO
TOSHIO TAKAHARA / AKIRA YAMANOUCHI
HIROSHI NIHONYANAGI
ED KEENE as Russian Officer
RONALD SELF as Chapayev
HIDEKO TAKAMINE
as Woman in Refugee Camp
Directed by
MASAKI KOBAYASHI
PART 5
Right smack in enemy territory.
What do we do now?
One of two things:
We could run for it...
Through those headlights?
What's the other choice?
If we could distract him
for just 30 seconds,
we could cut across here.
Kaji, can't you
shoot him from here?
While you run for it?
Nice idea,
but what happens to me?
What else can we do?
You're the bayonet expert.
Sneak up and stab him.
What do we do?
What are you going to do?
If they catch me,
just start running.
Sir, look! Blood!
Fighting those Soviet troops...
I was responsible
only for isolated shots
amid countless millions
of rounds fired.
But this morning...
Michiko...
I'm a murderer.
These hands
that once caressed you
killed a man in cold blood.
Just to cross the road
to safety!
Was it justified?
Or was it wanton murder?
Michiko...
will you decide for me?
Sir.
Sir, tell me how you did it.
Don't ask useless questions!
It got us across that road.
Concentrate on what
lies ahead instead.
Where are you headed?
We hope to get to Mutankiang.
It's that way.
But you're wasting your time.
The enemy got there first.
Really?
What about yourself?
I'm headed for Korea.
Closer to home
than Manchuria.
And your unit?
I had one until yesterday.
Watch out for
the Korean-Manchurian border.
It's controlled by Kim Il Sung.
Is that right?
Then I'll just be another Red.
What's "comrade"
in Chinese and Korean?
It's tongzhi in Chinese.
In Korean I think it's tongmu.
Tongzhi and tongmu, eh?
Thanks.
That's all I'll need.
See ya.
Tongzhi and tongmu, eh?
You look strong and healthy,
my tongzhi!
A real crackpot.
Probably a deserter, the rat!
Should've got
his name and rank.
What for?
To report him later.
Fool.
You calling me a fool?
I only let you take charge
because you know this area.
I'm still a NCO.
I won't be insulted!
As long as you're with me,
I give the orders.
Forget about rank.
While we're at it,
let's get something else clear.
You listen too, Terada.
I didn't expect Mutankiang
to fall so soon.
The Kwangtung Army
must essentially be wiped out...
so I'm no longer concerned
about rejoining them.
Then what do we do?
We go back to our former lives.
South Manchuria
lies in that direction.
My former life awaits me there.
And I'll do my best
to get you back
to your former lives.
If you don't agree,
we can part ways now.
We decide right here.
How about it?
We'll run into friendly
forces somewhere.
Whoever wants to
can join them.
Not whoever wants to" -
it's our duty!
You can't just ignore
the soldier's code.
What we need now
is the defeated man's code.
If you want to go on soldiering,
take Terada and go.
I'm going this way.
Kaji, will we ever
get out of here?
We walk and walk,
but it's all the same.
It's been two days.
Which direction?
- We have no map or compass.
- We've followed you...
We'll get nowhere unless
we keep walking... I know that.
We're out of my territory.
It must be a river!
A river!
You're our saviours.
It's like meeting
Buddha in hell.
Thank goodness. My breasts
will be full of milk tonight.
Soldier, we've hardly eaten
in five days.
Divide this among yourselves.
What do you think?
Do we take them along?
I'm considering it.
We can't very well leave them.
This is all the food
we have left.
I'll keep that from now on.
- I'm not taking it all!
- I wouldn't put it beyond you!
The soldiers didn't say
it was just for you.
You didn't bring any rations
when you joined us.
Can't you behave?
Coming on to the soldiers!
We shared with you
at the cost of our babies' milk.
Whores!
So what if we are?
We'll let the soldiers decide.
They won't share with us
because we're prostitutes.
What's wrong with them?
They've scrounged off us
ever since we escaped.
You ran to us when the Russians
were going to rape your women.
Enough!
We'll all share.
If you want to argue,
we leave you behind.
Oh, for a dumpling
the size of a woman's rear end!
I'd settle for a bellyful
of cold rice and miso soup.
Soldiers, please don't go on
about food anymore.
You're right.
It just makes us hungrier.
Kaji, aren't these edible?
They're snails.
Mmm, it's good!
It may not be beef, ma'am,
but it's fine once you swallow.
He's right.
Let's try a little.
If only the Kwangtung Army
had done its job.
They were all so tough
until the fighting started.
We fought!
We're the only three left
out of 160 men.
Fine, but couldn't they have
evacuated the women and children?
We went out of our way
to cooperate with the army.
And made a tidy profit, eh?
Speak for yourself!
Please, can't you keep
that baby quiet?
Get some sleep.
Arguing won't get us any food.
Mummy!
You can't eat those!
Your next nap
will be your last.
You soldiers are lucky.
You don't have children.
We can't keep up with you.
Soldiers, no matter how far we go,
we'll never find our paradise.
That's not my fault.
PFC Kaji's got a bit of paradise
left in his pouch.
- What happened to the others?
- Who cares?
Damn it! They just keep
holding us back.
Kaji, let's cook
the rest of the rice.
No, not until we know
we can find our way out
or we're ready
to lie down and die.
You all right?
Don't give up.
You waited for us?
You're tougher than I expected.
Well, if you men desert us,
we're finished.
Come on,
just a little further.
I won't let you die by yourself.
I'm sorry we're so slow.
Age is such a burden.
We'll just walk
until we can't anymore.
I'll always be at your side.
Who's that?
You're not
the only one starving.
If I don't eat, my baby will die.
And my husband!
Just like the rest of us!
Just a little
for my baby and husband.
I won't take any for myself.
No.
If you're so hungry,
eat the grass!
My baby will die.
My baby...
will die!
I don't know
who among us will survive...
but this rice is for them,
not for the dying.
You going to eat it alone?
If we don't find our way out tomorrow,
we'll all be dead anyway.
Stay alive if you want to eat.
Now shut up and sleep.
Somebody help!
My baby!
What'll I do?
My baby's dead!
Someone help me!
Call a doctor!
Shut up!
We're all dying.
How about your husband?
Somebody do something!
It's driving me crazy!
Let her cry it out.
Let's push on
or we'll all die!
Come on, get up! Get up!
We have to go on!
Shut up!
Well, no yakitori for dinner.
Some marksman.
Sorry.
My eyes are failing.
Where are the others?
The teacher...
told us to go on ahead.
And the merchant's family?
They suddenly
doubled up in pain
and vomited
what looked like blood.
Toadstools?
If you want to kill yourselves,
take my gun.
Anyone else eat that stuff?
Sure. It looked good.
They ate some.
We don't need
any more help from you.
We'll live or die
as we please.
Let me bury the child.
Carrying it around
won't bring it back to life.
You killed this child!
They died like flies today.
Where's your family?
What's it to you?
Nothing. Just asking.
I put 'em out of their misery.
Seems we weren't
the only ones lost in here.
I won't give up!
Can we make it out?
We'll know tomorrow.
We caught them.
We're entitled to keep one.
No, we share equally.
You couldn't even hit that bird,
so don't play squad leader.
We're eating one.
Just try it.
I missed the bird,
but I won't miss you.
You're not the only one
who can use a rifle!
Stop it!
Stop acting like children.
You're right.
What's got into us?
Kaji, we'll share the snake
if you'll ration out the rice.
Wait till tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow...
will we make it out of here?
I don't know.
But here's how I look at it:
When my unit was wiped out,
shells burst right in front of me,
but I survived.
So I don't think
I'll die in this forest.
So if I stick with you,
I won't die either.
I'd like you to think so.
Wherever you go,
I will always be with you.
Always!
We'll have to walk
long and hard tomorrow.
I wonder how things are
in South Manchuria.
I have a sister there.
My only living kin.
She's not like me.
Is that where you're going?
Will you take me there?
I hope South Manchuria
is still safe.
It has to be.
This is the last of it.
I'm breaking out of this forest today
come what may.
I won't stop until I reach
homes or farmland.
Stick with me
if you don't want to die.
Shit!
He's a fast walker!
I'd keep up with him
if I weren't injured.
Kaji, you called me
a fool once.
I won't forget that!
You also saved me
from those tanks.
I won't forget that either.
What kind of guy
are you anyway?
Shit!
The bastard!
Where does that dog
get all that energy anyway?
Damn! If we find friendly forces,
I'll be disgraced!
A full corporal taking orders
from a private!
I should've died
a hero's death in action.
I'd be in a fancy coffin
at Yasukuni Shrine.
Fools!
We'll never make it out
of these woods.
Help will come when it comes.
To hell with this. I give up!
What do you think, boss?
I think he's taking us
in the wrong direction.
He's heading for Vladivostok.
I couldn't care less.
I'm giving up...
We'll be left behind.
Ume-chan, get up!
Let me be...
Can I keep walking?
Where am I headed anyway?
All this walking...
is it just a waste of time?
Has South Manchuria become
just another mass grave
for the Japanese?
Maybe there's nowhere left
for the Japanese to go.
Wait! Don't kill her!
I'm coming back
to face charges.
Michiko...
are you still alive?
Do you realise
that I'm walking like this
to return to your side?
Will we reach farmland today?
Terada!
What's that?
What do you think it is?
A house?
Other human beings!
A house - it has to be!
Wait, it's too soon to rejoice.
We'll wait here for the others.
- Ushijima Unit from Seiundai?
- Yes, sir.
The Doi work party?
Yes, sir.
Ushijima Battalion
was wiped out.
What happened
to Lieutenant Doi?
Killed in action, sir.
Then why are you still alive?
Why didn't you press on
in a final attack?
Your commanders are dead,
yet you dare live on?
You must be deserters.
And bringing a woman along -
such indiscretion! Explain yourself!
I offer no explanation.
You deny our request for food?
I do!
My unit's to make a final stand
at the Korean-Manchurian border.
We have no supplies
for cowards.
Now get out of here!
Loiter here
and we'll hang you all.
Captain Nagata, was it?
Keep your food
and your damned lectures.
I'll blow your head off!
Nobody move!
Terada and Hikita,
shoot anyone who moves.
Look at these idiots in full battle dress!
What final stand"?
If you don't want
to give us food, just say so!
Our men were wiped out
so you could run! I'll blow you to bits!
Kaji, while we were scaring
those filthy rats,
we should've filched
some supplies.
To hell with supplies!
That bastard!
Corporal Hironaka,
those are the friendly forces
you wanted to join.
And that slob was a captain!
Someone's coming.
Nice work, Kaji.
Remember me?
Tange!
That's right. It's Tange.
You scared the hell out of me,
firing at us like that.
Look at that beard.
You've sure changed.
When it's kill or be killed,
you change.
Well, we can talk later.
Eat some of this.
It's not over yet, is it?
It must be.
If it does end,
what will be the outcome?
Like Germany:
unconditional surrender.
That's probably true,
but I mean after that.
What about guys like us?
I mean,
what happens to the people?
That's the big question.
If we lose, wouldn't
our country be wiped out?
Our country?
What's that?
The country you were taught
to know will be dead...
and that's how it should be.
We've been struggling
to survive...
to see if a country can
take its place where men are free.
That's the big question.
I hope democratic forces
will unite to cope
with this defeat.
Democratic forces" -
is there such a thing in Japan?
Japan's full of helpless creatures
like myself... or worse.
They can do nothing.
Why so bitter?
The test is yet to come.
That's not the point.
We became soldiers...
and fought in battle.
We were wiped out,
and now we plod along.
We killed,
and we deserted our buddies.
Cope with defeat,"
you say.
How many of us are even
capable or worthy of that?
That's enough.
Even your ideals seem starved.
I found a cornfield!
He's fast asleep.
He seems greatly relieved
ever since you joined us.
Seems he had it rough.
But I'm amazed
at how you've kept up with him.
- You've got guts.
- It's not guts. It's desperation.
I can't tell you how often
I felt like giving up.
But though he acts so cold,
this man's been very kind to me.
I must keep on
to learn how my sister is doing.
- Where is she?
- Taishihkiao.
That's near Kaji's place.
Yes, that's why
I'm sticking with him.
Now our only worry
is overeating, not starving.
Dog!
Stop that!
What are you doing?
Stand up!
We mean you no harm.
We just wish to ask our way.
Have any Russians
come this way?
The bastard's pretending
he's deaf.
We just want to return home.
Which way is Jinpohu?
Good. Thank you.
Damn! We were tricked!
That dog!
I should've shot him.
They hate us because
our troops raid their fields.
It's strange.
How come they're armed?
It can't just be guns
from our stragglers.
Maybe they formed
their own peasant militia.
Let's get out of here.
No, we'd be surrounded.
Watch for a chance
to make a dash for it.
You came just in time.
Our scouts blundered,
and things have got nasty.
Front-line unit?
More like wiped-out unit."
You fought hard then!
What do you think
of this plan?
They're searching over there.
You cover us from here
while we make
a run for those woods.
Then we'll cover you from there.
Sounds good...
but not for us.
Why not?
Where are your scouts?
See those four or five men?
That's where they got them.
Shut up!
You didn't go to help them?
With these few men?
I'd hate to find you couldn't
help us either once you got across.
I'll stay here with your men
to provide cover.
Tange and the others
will go first and then cover us.
We'll cooperate
on those terms.
Meaning you don't trust us?
Wait a minute.
Why not wait till dark?
Impossible.
They've already spotted us.
We can't lose this chance.
You may be right.
Tighten your laces!
Let's go!
Fire at random
just to pin 'em down!
It's our turn. Let's go!
Come on!
- Does it hurt?
- Not too bad.
Damn! I'm dead tired!
That damned Ujiie
finally got his!
They got him?
Those bastards
are having a field day!
Their militia seems to indicate
that the war must be over.
If so, they'd announce it
and urge us to surrender.
Would they just come after us?
Would you surrender?
No.
Of course not!
Being POWs
would cramp our style.
We may be paying dearly
for our worthless freedom.
Damn, it's freezing!
If you'd listened to me,
we'd be by a fireplace
dreaming about dames right now.
He gets scared every time
we get near civilians.
We don't have to be so afraid
of a few Chinks with guns.
You OK?
Yes, except for the shivering.
Does your leg hurt?
It's only pain.
Now I appreciate
the value of a roof overhead.
I never realised it before,
but now I understand.
Know what I'm talking about?
It's so nice to have a home
to protect you from wind and rain.
Michiko...
our happiness was an illusion.
For the joys we shared
at the cost of Chinese sacrifices,
I am now paying dearly.
What's more,
I must kill and steal
to fight my way back to you.
Michiko...
will you and I ever get
a chance to start anew?
No village in sight.
Strange.
Shall we rest here?
Those pigs look good.
Doesn't seem unoccupied.
There's probably no danger.
We sleep under a roof at last!
We'll stop here to rest.
Great! I'll get a pig.
The aroma of steaming fat reminds me
of that Russian place, eh, Fukumoto?
What a joint!
It was great!
They had honey,
and all the meat you wanted.
White female flesh too.
What a jackass!
The gal spreads her legs wide,
and he stands there shaking!
You lucky dogs!
Just about then we were
eating snails in the woods.
Cut out the bragging.
Touch a woman while you're
with me and I'll shoot you.
Who gives a shit about
white or Chink dames anyway?
They're raping our women.
It's war.
An eye for an eye.
These guys don't realise
who they're talking to.
I can guess.
Then stop being
such a wet blanket.
You have to enjoy the moment.
That's an awful wound!
It's healed now.
Kaji cauterised it
with gunpowder during the battle.
He did, did he?
Hey, sister,
want me to scrub you down?
- Nice arse!
- Cut it out!
That arse must be
itching by now.
It's a bit baffling,
this oasis for rejects
from the outside world like us.
Let's go outside.
It's depressing in here.
Let's call the men
and get out of here.
It's dangerous wherever we go.
Why not relax the reins a bit?
Am I too hard on them?
You're not satisfied
until you've dragged everyone else
up to your own level.
Of course...
that's probably
why you're alive today.
We're moving on.
Hurry up and get out.
- I'm undressing.
- Don't mind me.
Never seen a naked woman?
You've gone a long time without it too.
What do you say?
Who'd want to do it with you?
I can't pay, but you're not
worth that much anyway, so come on.
Come on! How about it?
Touch me and I'll scream!
What are you doing undressing here?
It's dangerous!
Why don't you mind
your own business?
Go back
and get ready to leave.
You can complain later.
Stop teasing the men.
I wasn't teasing them.
The tension eases and you ladies
are back to your old tricks.
You ladies"?
Stop acting so big.
I happen to prefer his type.
I don't care who you prefer.
There's danger everywhere.
One wrong move
could mean trouble for us all.
Then I won't
trouble you anymore.
You'll see.
That's enough!
The dog!
He was spying on us.
Maybe he lives here.
Maybe we ate his pig.
That's quite a coup for you.
Lucky I was having
a crap out there
or we'd be in hot water now.
Is this your house?
Yes.
I'm sorry we killed your pig.
The hell you are!
What is it with you two?
Son of a bitch!
Break through that wall!
Over here!
They're moving in.
Hurry up!
All right.
Let's go!
Will PFC Kaji be all right?
What'll we do
if something happens to him?
We'll manage.
The man's not God.
It's not like we don't know
east from west.
From here on...
I stop running and start fighting.
They can kill you and me
if they want.
But why civilians?
And a woman?
They're on edge just like us.
You think that's an excuse?
That kind of thinking
justifies anything.
He was still alive
with his guts hanging out.
I put him out of his misery.
Bastards!
What a horrible way to die.
Where are the others?
Out there somewhere.
Go find them, would you?
I'll bury the girl.
- I'll take care of the others.
- Manchus?
Any objections?
If you can bury the girl,
you can bury
the Manchus too.
But I'll do it for you.
I hope we can
make it to that cornfield.
If we're trapped in here,
we've had it.
Here they come.
- Sir!
- Calm down. They're still far off.
Seems we're not the only Japanese
stragglers. What do we do?
Can't let our goose
be cooked with theirs.
In any case,
let's keep moving.
They pillaged this place well.
The Chinese are out for revenge.
We can't get caught up
in this mess.
Damn!
Now we're really in trouble.
What do we do?
We'll never get out of here.
We'll never make it.
- We're doomed!
- We didn't do anything!
Oh, we didn't?
Smoke from the rear, sir!
Let's run for it this way!
It's no use.
They'll get us as we come out.
No one will get out alive.
Looks like the end
of the road, boys.
Let's surrender.
Fool!
Because they smoked us out?
They didn't ask us to surrender.
They mean to smoke us out
and kill us!
Team up!
We're going through the fire line.
Can't be many guns past that.
Terada! Come on!
Terada, come on!
That was a close one!
We'll lie low here until dark.
We made it...
but I don't approve
of your methods.
And we lost another man.
Hironaka?
I'm not blaming you.
I understand.
At the railway we'll find out
what's happened.
Every man can choose for himself.
We'll part there.
Looks like Japanese refugees.
Mostly women,
judging from their clothes.
Should we call to them?
No, let's watch
a bit longer.
What happened?
Don't look!
I can't believe it.
The Red Army
wouldn't mistreat civilians.
Not any civilians -
just Japanese women.
And the Manchus squeal on us
to the Russians.
The prison convoys
are a sickening sight.
Any woman will do.
Nothing's more pitiful than
the women of a defeated nation.
Of course there must be scoundrels
in the Red Army too.
A handful among the millions.
A few dozen
or a few hundred like that
don't undermine the theory of the Red -
no - the People's Army.
A flaw of the transition period
that will surely be corrected.
The Red Army should be different
from the Japanese or the Nazis.
Fundamentally different
even from the American army.
Minor incidents
from a historical standpoint
can be of vital importance
to the individual.
For those who've seen such failings,
the scars never heal.
The blood of hatred will continue
to ooze from the wounds,
forming a breeding ground
for distrust that can't be wiped out.
A trivial event perhaps,
but also a stain on humanity.
How can you defend such a thing?
The Reds further south
were probably like that too.
I still have faith.
Soldiers...
are you headed
for South Manchuria?
We were visiting our uncle
when hostilities broke out.
Where are your parents?
I don't know.
You two are making
your way to Korea?
No, back to Peihutow,
though we're not sure
what we'll find.
Will you take us with you?
Even Nanhutow
would be good enough.
How old are you?
Eighteen.
We move fast.
We can keep up.
We have this far.
You had no trouble on the way?
We had some tough geisha with us.
They sacrificed themselves for us.
And where are they now?
They were taken away.
They say the kid went mad
when the Russians pointed a gun at him
and he saw them
raping his sister.
Shut up!
I'm sorry you have to rest
so often for our sake.
Why do you make
your sister do everything?
He'll perk up
when we get home.
I can't let
anything happen to him
before we get back
to our parents.
If feels great.
You should try it.
I don't usually look like this.
Much better. Very pretty.
Is Jinpohu very far off?
No, not far.
Go straight
and you'll reach Nanhutow.
Where are you headed?
Back to Korea.
How are things in Peihutow?
My village is
only 12 miles from there,
but I really couldn't say.
I don't think
there are still people there.
All the Japanese farmers
have already left the area.
You follow this lakeshore
to Hutow, right?
Yes. It's about 24 miles.
Can you two
make it on your own?
Yes, I think we'll be all right.
I've been thinking about
what that Korean peasant told us.
Even if you go back,
you may find
your father and mother gone.
It may not be wise
to press on.
If you have no place to go,
why not come with me?
I don't know what's left
where I'm headed either...
but you could continue searching
from there or return to Japan.
Wouldn't that be wiser?
I'd rather try
my own home first.
If my parents are gone,
we still have Chinese friends there.
I have to see for myself.
I'll take them.
How about it, Fukumoto?
If her parents are there,
we can relax there a while.
What do you say, sister?
I'm sick of walking.
We'll rest a while
and then plan our next step.
What if there are
no Japanese there?
Then maybe
we'll join the guerrillas
and make her our leader.
They're sure walking fast.
They're in a hurry to get home.
If her home is gone,
this detour may be for nothing.
Leave it to me.
I'll figure out something.
Damn, she has a nice arse!
It's strange.
They come after us
with fire and antitank guns,
yet they overlook
spots like this.
A paradise for the defeated.
Oi, mate! What unit?
Remnants of the border unit.
Damn! We really lost?
We were all dragged into this
by a slip of paper.
The big brass should figure out
how to get us out.
You may be right,
but by now they're all prisoners
or have flown the coop to Japan.
But even Japan must be...
So the Americans take Japan
and the Russians take Manchuria?
The Soviets wouldn't do that.
They'll return it to the Chinese.
To Chiang Kai-shek?
I don't know,
but to the Chinese, in any case.
The Soviet Union
doesn't need more territory.
Their sole aim has always been
the liberation of China.
So they're happy
to do all the work for nothing?
Tange.
This liberation...
how will it take place?
The Communist Chinese
will take over.
All conditions
for revolution are in place.
That means civil war.
Are you guys Reds?
Why not run to the Russians
with your tails wagging?
We have no tails to wag.
So you're fake commies?
- Glad you're not the real thing.
- Who goes there?
- Friends!
- Proceed!
It's stinkin' cold out there!
Like winter!
Were we happy when we saw
these lights from the woods!
Not a bad place
to make a final stand, eh?
Plenty of supplies.
What's the plan?
Hikita, where'd you leave
that girl and her brother?
How far did you get?
We took her to a hill
overlooking her village.
She was a smart one.
She said that was far enough.
Stop lying!
You walked 50 miles
more than we did today?
So what if he's lying?
What's it to you?
If you were so worried,
why didn't you escort them yourself?
You didn't get your chance
because I offered first.
You were trying
to impress her.
She'd already been
worked over by the Reds.
Why should she deserve
special treatment?
And just what treatment
did you give her?
I gave her
the appropriate treatment.
Meaning?
You want to know?
I wiped the Russian filth off her.
Now talk!
What did you bastards
do to her and her brother?
Get out of here!
I'm confiscating your weapons.
Terada, take their rifles.
You bastards can crawl
on all fours from now on.
PART 6
Who goes there?
Who's there?
Show yourself!
Take cover!
Get out of sight
or they'll spot you below.
You can't go down there.
Why not?
The Chinese are mopping up
Japanese stragglers.
There's a logging road
down in those woods.
Our territory ends there.
What are you doing here?
We're dug in here.
Go and see our commander.
He'll brief you, and you can
decide what to do next.
It's impossible
to bomb us here.
Our troops are the very best,
armed with machine guns
and mortars.
We have supplies
to last until next spring.
After next spring, then what?
I'm getting to that.
Do you men realise
what's happening to Japan?
What about Manchuria?
You think Russia
will return it to China?
They will. They must.
To whom?
Chiang Kai-shek?
No, not Chiang Kai-shek.
Wouldn't he want it?
He'll try to take it
with America's backing.
You think the Chinese
will fight back?
Yes.
Good.
We seem to agree there.
The US will back
Chiang Kai-shek
in driving all communist influence
out of Manchuria.
Just wait.
There'll be a civil war...
and in the very near future.
That's when we go into action.
With your 50 men?
Strength of numbers
means nothing.
What matters is
the significance of our action.
When the Nationalists go into action,
we too make our move...
You'll be crushed.
You seem intent
on throwing away your men's lives.
What about you?
You'd let your men meet
a dog's death in dangerous territory.
It's not a dog's death.
They're all sick of war,
sick of the army.
They keep walking
only to get home.
Why should they risk their lives
for the Americans or Chiang Kai-shek?
Then go on! Keep moving!
Don't speak out of place.
We have supplies
to last the winter.
If any of you wish to join us,
speak up.
Each man must decide
for himself.
We'll camp nearby
and leave early tomorrow.
I talked to the NCOs over there.
We could never break through.
Their scouting party
was wiped out
by a Russian cleanup unit.
Does that prove it's safer
to remain entrenched here?
Those who wish to can stay.
Winter's coming.
We have to hurry.
It's a long way yet.
With their cleanup units,
can we break through?
There are so many of us now.
They'll spot us for sure.
It's a big forest.
Stop worrying.
Tange says
we should surrender.
Where's PFC Kaji?
Over there.
PFC Kaji.
Over here.
Mind if we join you?
We don't care
to get involved in another war.
It's your decision.
If you can't tell your commander,
I'll do it for you.
No, please don't.
We'd be punished as deserters.
Then how will you get away?
We'll make our way to the woods
down there. Pick us up there.
As long as we get out
of this place,
we can eke out a living... right?
We vowed
to live and die together.
That means to advance
or retreat as one.
You have no authority
to punish them.
The army's been disbanded.
Army regulations no longer apply.
Don't meddle in our affairs!
The fact these two
broke their vow
is a minor matter,
but it could affect others.
We're convinced
that the best way forward
is to await our chance
to go into action.
Sir, don't waste your breath.
PFC Kaji!
Stop your meddling
and get off this hill.
Our men are raring to go.
Let them try.
We'll see
how disciplined they are.
Guerrillas! You're a band
of mountain bandits!
And in good bandit fashion,
I'll lop your head off!
Wait.
Call your leader. I suspect
he conspired with these men.
I wouldn't advise that.
He's as bad-tempered as me,
with a shorter fuse!
If you mean me,
I'm right here.
Tange, get back!
Commander,
I'll make you a deal.
Some of my men
want to join you.
I'll swap them for those two.
Newcomers
will not be rejected,
but deserters and traitors
will not be tolerated!
Kitago, execute them!
Bastard!
Tange, the rifle!
Commander, you'd better
let us go without any trouble.
You'll all be wiped out
or taken prisoner before winter.
But not us!
We're pushing on!
- What's that on their backs?
- Flamethrowers.
Easy-going bastards -
no rear or advance guards!
They're a pushover
from the rear.
You can try it alone.
Let's go.
I'm surrendering.
You are?
After you guys are gone...
I'm going over to them.
Call out from a distance first
with your arms in the air.
Will we meet again?
If we both survive.
Maybe what you're doing is right
and I'm wrong.
Who knows?
No one can say.
It's a Woodpecker.
Don't worry so much.
It's as still as death.
It'd be nice to have
a roof overhead tonight.
We'll split up to be safe.
This is getting to my back.
I've about had it.
That was close!
If you hadn't split us up,
we'd be dead.
When this thing
started rattling, I went cold!
- Now it's my turn to try it.
- Leave their weapons.
Why? With these we could...
They may not help.
If we're caught with them,
we'll be executed.
They'll think some Japanese soldiers
were just mowed down.
Shoot off all the ammo.
Then we're moving on.
Doesn't look like
a Manchu village.
Some kind of settlement?
Looks like it.
What do we do?
Let's have a look.
According to that commander,
there are no Japanese
stragglers in this area.
This might be the border
with civilised society.
Split into four groups.
Keep 400 yards between you.
My group will go first.
If anything happens to us,
you decide whether to run
or give yourselves up.
By today or tomorrow,
our fate will be decided.
Where are
you gentlemen headed?
Across the railway tracks
to South Manchuria.
- Just the three of you?
- No.
There are 15 men behind us.
You may not know this,
but the railway is
about six miles from here.
Just beyond that
is a POW camp.
Have any of our soldiers
passed through here?
Some have passed through
once in a while.
And they brought nothing
but trouble.
They stagger in half starved.
We've used up
all the supplies we brought,
and our fields have been
constantly plundered.
We don't know
what we'll do now.
What happened
to those soldiers?
They would change direction
when they left here,
but we'd always hear the distant
rattling of those automatic guns.
It's doubtful
any of them survived.
Do enemy troops
come and make trouble?
At first we feared
and hated them,
but they're actually better
than our own men.
They bring us bread.
They're huge,
but they're naive as babies.
If we're nice to them,
they leave peacefully.
Not like our troops,
who are just freeloaders.
You intend
to stay here overnight?
Since even the Russians
seem more popular than us,
I won't insist.
We can camp out.
You're a man of character.
May I ask one favour?
The Soviets
are supposed to look after us,
but that solves none
of our immediate problems.
I know it's asking quite a lot...
What is it?
They're growing
corn and potatoes
about two miles from here.
So we steal some?
It's an evil thing we ask,
but the women
will carry it all.
Please just protect them
from any harm.
I understand.
We'll be your villains.
Come partway
and wait for us there.
It's better if you don't
enter the fields.
It's cold out here,
even with a fire.
Why don't you men
come inside?
I've kept a spot for you.
No need to keep watch?
I'll stay up a while longer.
Someone can relieve me later.
That young man's
in for a surprise.
Why?
They're all rolling around
together in the dark in there.
And there's
more women than men.
Soldier, are you angry with me
for what I said
about the Russians?
No.
But you think I'm immoral.
Is that it?
No.
Are the women here...
I mean, are you married?
Yes.
So we married women
should just starve?
Bite our tongues off
and just die?
Who said anything like that?
Even if we get home alive,
how many of us
can return to our former lives?
Women and soldiers
who spend fleeting nights together
always talk about
returning home together.
When flesh meets flesh,
it really seems possible.
But at dawn,
the soldiers are strangers again.
They get restless and anxious
and grab their weapons
and sneak off.
Soldier, are you listening?
I hear you.
Women waste no tears.
They just wait patiently
for the soldier who'll come
and take them away.
We'll never get home.
We'll never see
our loved ones again.
We don't even know
how long we'll live.
We all share the same fate.
We're all ruined!
We eat only to keep
our strength from failing.
We'll never get home!
We'll never see
our loved ones again!
We all share the same fate!
We're ruined!
We're ruined!
We all share the same fate.
We'll never get home.
We'll never see
our loved ones again.
Never get home...
never see
our loved ones again...
Let's go inside.
It's safe here at night.
No Russians
or Manchus will come.
You go on.
I'll find somewhere
to sleep later.
A paragon of virtue, eh?
Rare for a soldier.
Too good to be
dallying with my kind.
So I was buying a woman
by stealing that food?
Michiko...
I'm still alive.
I'm still walking towards you.
If you weren't waiting...
I doubt I could
continue another day.
There's trouble brewing inside.
Some want to marry
the women and stay here.
Others want to take them along.
What about you?
I felt like having fun
last night.
Hadn't had a chance
to work out the kinks in a while.
But what about you?
You're acting like some Zen priest.
- Weren't any girls interested?
- Who the hell cares?
I'm thinking of disbanding
our unit here.
Last night I really learned
to appreciate a woman's tenderness.
What do you say
we discard our weapons
and join them as refugees?
Weak-kneed women?
We'd never get anywhere.
We'd have to discard them
somewhere.
Not necessarily.
With just men, it's kill or be killed.
With women,
they might go easy on us.
Even some of the soldiers
want to come along with us.
We have to act now
while they're here.
This may be our last chance!
And if you run into Russians
or Manchus on the road?
The soldiers have weapons.
They might get away.
We could be stripped naked
and who knows what else.
That young man's
really afraid of you.
Why?
You have a way
of intimidating people.
It was me who seduced him,
you know.
How's that my business?
It is your business.
I hear you saved his life.
He claims he'll follow you
wherever you go.
So I'm coming too.
You don't mind, do you?
This is no time
to be playing house.
The past few weeks
have made a man out of Terada.
If casual love turns into
the real thing, fine.
I'll leave him behind.
You two can do as you wish.
You were probably
his first woman.
Any man might do for you,
but the boy's still naive.
If he fell in love overnight,
you're partly responsible.
I just want you
to stay clear of me.
After all, I'm human too.
The women insist
on relying upon you
and going wherever you go.
Won't you become a refugee
and go south with us?
At least wait till dusk
and take us as far as the railway.
Please?
There we can decide
whether to go north or south.
That'll only take till dawn.
Let's do it.
Is that asking too much?
I've heard various opinions
from my men and the women.
I myself don't know
would what be best.
So those who feel the same way
should go on together.
Each person can decide
which group they'll join.
What are you going to do?
I'm crossing the railway
and continuing on.
And your rifle?
I'm taking it.
Are you sure you'll make it?
No... but I'm going to try.
I'm leaving right now.
Terada, you'd better stay here.
You can pass
as a young refugee.
Bury your rifle and bayonet.
I won't stay behind.
I'm going.
What about her?
She's depending on you.
Didn't you want someone
to depend on you?
She means nothing to me. It's only
'cause you rejected her that she...
Stop pretending
to understand things you don't.
She doesn't want you or me.
She just wants male protection.
Stay behind and give her that.
Keep trotting along behind me
and you'll never become a man.
Run for it!
Enemy troops!
Take cover!
Women out of sight
and don't come out!
How many?
About 20.
Soviets and Chinese peasant militia.
Fire when you hear
my first shot.
Toss your grenades
and attack immediately.
Aim for the automatics first!
Wait till I fire!
Stop!
Stop!
What will happen to us
if you start a battle?
Please!
Soldiers...
please don't!
Soldiers!
Drop your weapons, all of you!
We're surrendering.
Terada, don't come out!
Stay with the women!
Son of a bitch!
Stop crying!
It's not over yet.
It's only just beginning.
Forward!
Get in line!
Let's go.
Move it!
Get going!
You there! Move it!
You there! Move!
Get back in line!
Back in line!
Stand up.
Move along!
Stay in line!
Bastard!
Get up!
Terada, get up!
Halt!
Halt!
Halt!
Get up!
Get up, quick!
No sitting down!
Get up! No sitting down!
Interpreter!
Who called this halt?
Who gave
the unauthorised order to halt?
It came from the rear.
Who was it?
Step forward
or everyone will be punished!
The commander's angry.
If the culprit isn't found,
you'll all get three days'
hard labour without food.
Who was it?
Step forward!
Who did it?
It was you. Step forward.
Go on!
It was me.
Fool! Why'd you do
such a thing?
I didn't mean to.
I didn't think they'd halt,
but I was hoping they would.
He says the prisoners
need a rest.
That's for the commander
to decide.
Are you resisting my authority?
You're just a prisoner.
Just do as you're told.
Explain what I'm saying.
The commander doesn't realise
conditions at the rear.
The men are hit by diarrhoea.
Some have even been
kicked by the guards.
Maybe I went too far,
but he has to understand
the conditions back here.
He says many men
in the rear have diarrhoea.
The guard kicked
one of these men.
He wants
the case investigated.
He claims one of you kicked
a prisoner. ls this true?
Physical force against prisoners
is not allowed!
However, if a prisoner violates
military discipline again,
he'll be punished!
Fascist samurai!
He'll let you off this time,
but don't do it again.
And he called you
a fascist samurai.
Forward!
Filthy dog!
Go to hell!
Get up!
I'm sorry.
It's OK. Forget it.
- Fascist samurai? That's a good one.
- Shut up!
Starting today,
I, Noge, assume command
of this work detail
by order of the Red Army.
The fortunes of war
have turned against us,
and we've tasted
the bitterness of defeat.
But our fatherland
still remains.
Someday we shall again tread
the soil of our fatherland.
The Japanese are a race
that respects authority.
To show the Soviets
what an extraordinary race we are,
we must meet our labour quotas.
I will then be able to negotiate
with the Russian officers
to win improvements
in your work conditions.
You must endeavor
to maintain good health,
bear these bitter trials,
and await the rebuilding
of our fatherland.
That's all.
They eat officer rations and do nothing.
Easy for them to say.
International law allows
for special treatment for officers.
Oh? Discrimination
in the land of the Reds?
WORK STATION #1
Terada, I just had an idea.
Starting tomorrow, pretend
you're sick and stay behind.
After we leave for work,
rummage through
their rubbish heaps.
Potato peels,
scraps of carrot -
salvage anything edible.
We'll add it to our rations.
Otherwise we'll starve...
and I refuse to die like this!
FIGHT ON FOR COMMUNISM!
Back to work! On your feet!
We can't work
unless they feed us.
Stop your grumbling!
Come on, boys!
Our presence is requested!
What are you doing?
Making clothes
out of these sacks.
What if the Russians catch you?
With that nice uniform,
you don't need these,
but we fought in these
same clothes last summer.
Just shut up
and put them back.
It's just gunnysacks,
but it's still their property,
and it's a disgrace
to the Japanese people!
Leave me alone.
The waters
will be freezing soon.
I'm wearing these gunnysacks...
unless someone
provides winter clothing.
I know rummaging
for rubbish must be rough.
Only washing the stuff,
now that the water's so cold.
But then I feel better,
knowing we'll all live another day.
When you hear them singing,
you get the feeling
they're good men.
They must have
something to sing for.
Outside the army, I mean.
When I joined up,
I was so ignorant.
You once said to me,
"You're a fool"
and Dying in battle
is a dog's death."
Remember?
It was true.
We walked a long way.
I didn't expect
to end up like this.
But it's all right.
I see now how important
it is to go on living.
My life is just beginning.
There's no sinking any lower.
We can only go up from here.
Idiots on kitchen duty
usually go on about women.
You don't hear
much philosophising.
Then you can stay behind
and I'll go on work detail!
Ignore him.
He has the bad habit
of sneering at anyone
who talks
about anything serious.
I was hoping
we'd meet again.
I can't say the same.
Are thieving rapists allowed
to run around free in here?
I was taken prisoner
after that incident, thanks to you.
But I used my brains.
I'm one of the
active elements" here.
Me, old Kirihara!
Where are
Hikita and Fukumoto?
Shipped out to Siberia.
I'll be keeping my eyes open
around here.
Can't allow any violations,
you know.
Kaji...
it's my turn now.
I have to survive
to see that bastard
unmasked.
If I talked down to you before,
I'll correct that.
It had become a habit.
But the world's going democratic"
now, and I have to adapt.
You're a good worker,
but is it true you've planted
a saboteur among us?
He's not a saboteur.
He's sick.
And it wasn't intentional,
but inevitable.
Well, I can't allow it.
The Red officers are angry.
Not that the other groups
are all copying you,
but they're planting
saboteurs too.
That's how the Reds see it.
If this easy work detail
produces saboteurs,
they threaten to send us
to north Siberia,
and no one ever
returns from there.
That's how it is.
What do you think?
I don't think anything.
Why exactly was I called here?
We want you
to stop the sabotage.
You can live well
on your officer rations,
but we have no alternative
but to protect ourselves.
For now the Soviets grant you
the privileges of military rank.
If you'll see to it that we can work
without fear or concern,
I'll gladly change my ideas.
I'm a prisoner myself.
You enjoy defying your former officers.
Those gunnysacks, for example.
It's not enjoyment.
It's necessity.
Then you refuse to stop
this sabotage, even if I ask?
I must refuse.
It may not be right,
but I cannot stop it.
This insubordination
will not be tolerated!
Major objectives sometimes
call for minor sacrifices.
I may be forced
to hand you over to the Reds.
Do what you will, Noge-san.
I have faith in the future
of socialism,
and in my countrymen.
I will continue to work,
but I must also preserve
the strength of those around me.
That's how it is.
That kind of element
will bring trouble in the future.
We must deal with him now.
How'd your talk with Noge go?
Keep pushing it and they'll take us
off this light work detail.
You never do any work anyway.
It's guys like you who undermine
my argument with Noge.
Finally showing signs
of wear and tear, eh?
You're a good fellow,
but stupid.
Living right doesn't necessarily
mean living seriously.
Chaotic times
call for chaotic living.
Your naivet brings
tears to my eyes.
They say even a thief
has his reasons.
Son of a bitch!
I'll show you
what real labour means!
Son of a bitch!
Constant loafing
has made you soft.
Stop that!
Stop it!
Enough!
Whatever this man did,
that's going too far!
How can you
stand there laughing?
Such brutality will not
be tolerated again!
Rest quietly, or you'll
end up like that too.
I won't die.
Not after making it this far.
We've been
through worse than this.
Be quiet and rest.
Get a fire going in here.
Minagawa!
Is Minagawa
the interpreter around?
Sorry, but one of my men
needs a sickbed.
They're all taken.
They're even discharging
patients who are still sick.
Then can you get him
some aspirin?
That's only for inpatients.
Then I'll go ask myself.
Will you interpret?
Listen, I'm busy.
I can't be running around
for one patient.
You know, you'd better start
showing up for work.
I can't stick up for you
much longer.
I'm suspected
of something again?
It's not just you.
The Soviet officers are angry.
They're cracking down
on reactionary elements.
Private first class,
21 months of service.
Previous employment:
Labour Supervisor."
So you helped
exploit workers, eh?
Yes...
it seems so.
What did he say?
It doesn't concern
this interrogation.
This is not a court.
I will not pronounce sentence.
But we cannot allow resistance
and sabotage by prisoners.
You will be assigned to a detail
pulling up railway tracks.
There are no camps
nor fenced enclosures...
but you cannot escape
or resist.
If you try,
you will starve to death.
You're getting hard labour
as punishment for sabotage.
If you resist or attempt escape,
you will starve to death.
That's ridiculous!
I don't mind hard labour,
but can't we talk like human beings?
Let me tell my side.
Tell him that.
What's he saying?
He says
that what you say
is ridiculous...
and stupid.
Son of a bitch!
Fascist Jap!
What did he say?
Ah, it's you!
Wait a minute.
I've seen you
somewhere before.
Yes, it's you!
The samurai scoundrel!
I'd expect something
like this from you!
Nazi dogs are the worst scum
in the world...
and then come
Japanese like you!
Forgive my delay.
It was a lengthy meeting.
What's wrong, Captain Sverdlov?
You look angry.
I've never seen
such a notorious fascist!
This saboteur takes us for fools,
Comrade Chapayev!
- He called us stupid, Comrade Chapayev.
- No!
This one he addresses
as comrade
must be a true party member.
If only I could speak
their language!
That fool Minagawa!
There's so much to tell you.
It would take me all night.
But...
I wonder if you'd understand.
Explain your reasons
for the sabotage.
And leave out
all the fancy talk!
I survived the battle
and tried to escape.
I hoped to find proof here
that I was wrong to run.
But now I see that
it was an idealistic miscalculation.
Russia's needs
and its historical mission
lead it to destroy human lives
and then justify doing so.
Just or not,
the sacrificed individuals suffer.
They must protect themselves,
but it looks like resistance.
What other way is there?
After the war ended,
did you ever harm
any of our men?
I did.
Did you also harm
any Chinese?
I did.
That is sufficient
to declare you a war criminal.
I could have denied it.
You have no evidence!
Meanwhile you deny
that your own troops
committed rape and pillage
against the Japanese...
even though it would not
harm the prestige of the Red Army.
I at least admit my faults
so that I may point out yours.
I don't know whether
Kirihara or Noge turned me in,
and it doesn't matter.
What matters is that you use
such men to censure me
for saving my men's lives
by sifting through your rubbish heap.
In your urgency,
supervision grows slack.
You stick to inflexible rules.
Good intentions are suppressed,
and evil is tolerated.
The fact that socialism
is better than fascism
is not enough
to keep us alive!
Stand up.
You're very excited
and worked up.
Things don't always
run smoothly here.
Your main complaint
is that we organise
our work here
without considering
your position, correct?
Given more time,
a democratic movement
will develop among you
and all will progress smoothly.
You must wait and not resort
to your own methods.
You admit to sabotage.
We cannot openly
condone such acts.
The commander has decided
to send you and your accomplices
to work on the forest railway.
It's only for one week.
You must submit.
Anything else to say?
If possible, I'd like
some aspirin or something.
He wants medicine.
He says his friend is sick.
We'll have something
for you tomorrow.
You'll come back, won't you?
Didn't you say your life
was just beginning?
If you're not well
when I get back,
you're just a weakling.
Look after Terada, OK?
Going away, eh?
Will you do something for me?
What?
It's Terada.
You wanted revenge on me.
You got it.
Terada's sleeping now.
See that he gets food.
That should be no problem
for Comrade Kirihara...
Trying to butter me up, eh?
You squealed on Noge and me
in your interrogation,
but they took no notice, eh?
That's all right.
Now you'll be sleeping
out in the cold.
Think about the price you're paying
for driving me out once.
Here, take some.
Don't think you've won!
Kaji!
Is that you?
Tange!
It was a mistake to escape
and walk all that way,
and another mistake
to get caught.
I'm considering making
one further mistake.
Sure you can pull it off?
Not really.
You'll be captured or killed,
or you'll freeze to death.
It's not like you
to trust in luck.
It's strange
you should fear Siberia.
If you can't survive it,
no one can.
They can send us to Siberia
and work us to death.
But take down the "peace"
and "liberation" signs. Listen to me.
Exploit our labour
and then try to re-educate us -
that shouldn't be
the Soviet way.
I'm not complaining
about too much work.
I can even understand
the short rations.
Their guards even sleep
on the ground like us.
What I'm saying...
is that most POWs are not enemies
in the class struggle.
How they treat the men
seems lacking in some ways,
excessive in others.
Excessive in what way?
Maybe I'm wrong...
but they seem
smug and selfish to me.
That can't be helped.
The present stage
calls for a Soviet-first policy.
Really?
It can't be helped?
Is that the universal solution to human
dilemmas: It can't be helped"?
History will correct that...
not you or me.
Well, I'm fed up!
If they ship me to Siberia,
I'll stake my life on stressing that point.
Terada!
Wake up!
I warned him repeatedly,
but his fever was down
and he got out of bed.
He insisted on going out
for more scraps.
His luck ran out
when Kirihara caught him.
He was beaten severely
and given latrine duty.
We carried him,
limp and covered with shit,
to the infirmary...
but it was too late.
I heard he died
repeating your name.
You may not believe me,
but I took the case to Noge.
The bastard wouldn't listen.
Do the guards know?
Yes, but they say
it wasn't a crime.
No direct evidence.
Tange...
I've changed my mind.
I'm breaking out tonight.
Don't try to stop me.
I know it's a mistake,
but I'm going.
Chapayev wants
to see you about me.
At this hour?
I requested
that we have it out.
Afraid?
Don't be stupid!
We'll need Minagawa.
No need. One of them
can understand us.
You coming?
Or will you apologise?
You're a pest.
Good riddance,
shipping you off to Siberia.
This way.
Son of a bitch!
Get up!
I'll let you have it
until you do!
Stop it, please!
Please! I apologise!
That's what I've been
waiting to hear!
Bastard!
Die! Worthless scum
like you deserve to die!
It takes too long to do away
with bastards like you!
Meanwhile, good men
suffer and die!
Die!
Come on!
Step up!
Keep moving!
All right.
What's wrong,
you stinky devil?
Kaji-san!
Terada, is that you?
Are you still following me?
Don't, Terada.
If you keep dogging my heels,
you'll never become a man.
No... you're already
a fine young man.
You can go anywhere.
I'm still walking on.
If I lose my way,
please guide me.
You're a man now
Please guide me.
I'm not mistaken, am I?
No, I'm not!
Tange is now off to Siberia.
That rascal...
probably both despises
and envies me.
Michiko.
Let them laugh.
Let them try to stop me.
I'm coming back to you.
I'm still walking on.
I'll beg for food at that village
and then continue on to you.
Get lost, beggar!
Are you deaf?
Get out of here!
Thieving dog!
I'll kill you!
Thief!
This one's Japanese!
Look, a Japanese devil!
Michiko, forgive me.
I've come as far as I can.
Michiko, look
I've come this far.
I'm going to save this for you.
I'm bringing
this dumpling to you.
It's my only gift-
After over 700 days
away from you,
it's all I have to bring you.
I had to kill many men...
to continue my journey
back to you.
I killed many men.
Don't hate me for it!
I'm coming home to you.
Even now
I keep walking towards you.
Michiko, do you still
await my return?
I'm so happy!
No matter what they said,
I knew you'd return.
Your beard's tickling me!
You must shave it off...
and take a bath.
No, you can eat after that.
I never stopped believing.
I knew you'd come back.
I was positive you'd return.
In your arms...
I seem to melt away.
Wait for me, Michiko!
It won't be long now!
I've come this far.
It won't be much longer.
I faced so many trials
along the way,
but that's all over now.
Tonight I'll see your face,
hear your voice,
touch your hands,
and my memories will
bring back all that we've lost.
It's not far now.
Let me rest just five minutes.
Then I'll continue on to you,
no matter what.
In the end
we never had to say farewell.
Tonight our life together
will begin anew.
Michiko, I'm home at last!
I'm with you at last!
THE END
THE HUMAN CONDITION
Presented by
BUNGEI PRODUCTION and NINJIN CLUB
Produced by SHIGERU WAKATSUKI
and MASAKI KOBAYASHI
Based on the Novel by
JUNPEI GOMIKAWA
Screenplay by ZENZO MATSUYAMA,
KOICHI INAGAKI and MASAKI KOBAYASHI
Director of Photography
YOSHIO MIYAJIMA
Production Design KAZUE HIRATAKA
Music CHUJI KINOSHITA
Sound Recording HIDEO NISHIZAKI
Lighting AKIRA AOMATSU
Editing KEIICHI URAOKA
Assistant Producer TOSHIO SHIMIZU
Production Manager ZENPEI MORIYAMA
1st Assistant Director KOICHI INAGAKI
Assistant Directors
TAKESHI YOSHIDA / KANYA OTSU
Assistant Camera
SHUROKU UTSUMI
Set Design
TAKAMASA KOBAYASHI
Set Decoration
TETSUJI YAMAZAKI
Starring
TATSUYA NAKADAI
as Kaji
MICHIYO ARATAMA
as Michiko
TAMAO NAKAMURA as Refugee
YUSUKE KAWAZU as Terada
CHISHU RYU
as Old Man in Refugee Camp
TAKETOSHI NAITO as Tange
REIKO HITOMI as Umeko / KYOKO KISHIDA as Tatsuko
KEIJIRO MOROZUMI as Hironaka
KOJI KIYOMURA as Hikita / NOBUO KANEKO as Kirihara
FUJIO SUGA / KAZUO KITAMURA
TATSUYA ISHIGURO
TOSHIO TAKAHARA / AKIRA YAMANOUCHI
HIROSHI NIHONYANAGI
ED KEENE as Russian Officer
RONALD SELF as Chapayev
HIDEKO TAKAMINE
as Woman in Refugee Camp
Directed by
MASAKI KOBAYASHI
PART 5
Right smack in enemy territory.
What do we do now?
One of two things:
We could run for it...
Through those headlights?
What's the other choice?
If we could distract him
for just 30 seconds,
we could cut across here.
Kaji, can't you
shoot him from here?
While you run for it?
Nice idea,
but what happens to me?
What else can we do?
You're the bayonet expert.
Sneak up and stab him.
What do we do?
What are you going to do?
If they catch me,
just start running.
Sir, look! Blood!
Fighting those Soviet troops...
I was responsible
only for isolated shots
amid countless millions
of rounds fired.
But this morning...
Michiko...
I'm a murderer.
These hands
that once caressed you
killed a man in cold blood.
Just to cross the road
to safety!
Was it justified?
Or was it wanton murder?
Michiko...
will you decide for me?
Sir.
Sir, tell me how you did it.
Don't ask useless questions!
It got us across that road.
Concentrate on what
lies ahead instead.
Where are you headed?
We hope to get to Mutankiang.
It's that way.
But you're wasting your time.
The enemy got there first.
Really?
What about yourself?
I'm headed for Korea.
Closer to home
than Manchuria.
And your unit?
I had one until yesterday.
Watch out for
the Korean-Manchurian border.
It's controlled by Kim Il Sung.
Is that right?
Then I'll just be another Red.
What's "comrade"
in Chinese and Korean?
It's tongzhi in Chinese.
In Korean I think it's tongmu.
Tongzhi and tongmu, eh?
Thanks.
That's all I'll need.
See ya.
Tongzhi and tongmu, eh?
You look strong and healthy,
my tongzhi!
A real crackpot.
Probably a deserter, the rat!
Should've got
his name and rank.
What for?
To report him later.
Fool.
You calling me a fool?
I only let you take charge
because you know this area.
I'm still a NCO.
I won't be insulted!
As long as you're with me,
I give the orders.
Forget about rank.
While we're at it,
let's get something else clear.
You listen too, Terada.
I didn't expect Mutankiang
to fall so soon.
The Kwangtung Army
must essentially be wiped out...
so I'm no longer concerned
about rejoining them.
Then what do we do?
We go back to our former lives.
South Manchuria
lies in that direction.
My former life awaits me there.
And I'll do my best
to get you back
to your former lives.
If you don't agree,
we can part ways now.
We decide right here.
How about it?
We'll run into friendly
forces somewhere.
Whoever wants to
can join them.
Not whoever wants to" -
it's our duty!
You can't just ignore
the soldier's code.
What we need now
is the defeated man's code.
If you want to go on soldiering,
take Terada and go.
I'm going this way.
Kaji, will we ever
get out of here?
We walk and walk,
but it's all the same.
It's been two days.
Which direction?
- We have no map or compass.
- We've followed you...
We'll get nowhere unless
we keep walking... I know that.
We're out of my territory.
It must be a river!
A river!
You're our saviours.
It's like meeting
Buddha in hell.
Thank goodness. My breasts
will be full of milk tonight.
Soldier, we've hardly eaten
in five days.
Divide this among yourselves.
What do you think?
Do we take them along?
I'm considering it.
We can't very well leave them.
This is all the food
we have left.
I'll keep that from now on.
- I'm not taking it all!
- I wouldn't put it beyond you!
The soldiers didn't say
it was just for you.
You didn't bring any rations
when you joined us.
Can't you behave?
Coming on to the soldiers!
We shared with you
at the cost of our babies' milk.
Whores!
So what if we are?
We'll let the soldiers decide.
They won't share with us
because we're prostitutes.
What's wrong with them?
They've scrounged off us
ever since we escaped.
You ran to us when the Russians
were going to rape your women.
Enough!
We'll all share.
If you want to argue,
we leave you behind.
Oh, for a dumpling
the size of a woman's rear end!
I'd settle for a bellyful
of cold rice and miso soup.
Soldiers, please don't go on
about food anymore.
You're right.
It just makes us hungrier.
Kaji, aren't these edible?
They're snails.
Mmm, it's good!
It may not be beef, ma'am,
but it's fine once you swallow.
He's right.
Let's try a little.
If only the Kwangtung Army
had done its job.
They were all so tough
until the fighting started.
We fought!
We're the only three left
out of 160 men.
Fine, but couldn't they have
evacuated the women and children?
We went out of our way
to cooperate with the army.
And made a tidy profit, eh?
Speak for yourself!
Please, can't you keep
that baby quiet?
Get some sleep.
Arguing won't get us any food.
Mummy!
You can't eat those!
Your next nap
will be your last.
You soldiers are lucky.
You don't have children.
We can't keep up with you.
Soldiers, no matter how far we go,
we'll never find our paradise.
That's not my fault.
PFC Kaji's got a bit of paradise
left in his pouch.
- What happened to the others?
- Who cares?
Damn it! They just keep
holding us back.
Kaji, let's cook
the rest of the rice.
No, not until we know
we can find our way out
or we're ready
to lie down and die.
You all right?
Don't give up.
You waited for us?
You're tougher than I expected.
Well, if you men desert us,
we're finished.
Come on,
just a little further.
I won't let you die by yourself.
I'm sorry we're so slow.
Age is such a burden.
We'll just walk
until we can't anymore.
I'll always be at your side.
Who's that?
You're not
the only one starving.
If I don't eat, my baby will die.
And my husband!
Just like the rest of us!
Just a little
for my baby and husband.
I won't take any for myself.
No.
If you're so hungry,
eat the grass!
My baby will die.
My baby...
will die!
I don't know
who among us will survive...
but this rice is for them,
not for the dying.
You going to eat it alone?
If we don't find our way out tomorrow,
we'll all be dead anyway.
Stay alive if you want to eat.
Now shut up and sleep.
Somebody help!
My baby!
What'll I do?
My baby's dead!
Someone help me!
Call a doctor!
Shut up!
We're all dying.
How about your husband?
Somebody do something!
It's driving me crazy!
Let her cry it out.
Let's push on
or we'll all die!
Come on, get up! Get up!
We have to go on!
Shut up!
Well, no yakitori for dinner.
Some marksman.
Sorry.
My eyes are failing.
Where are the others?
The teacher...
told us to go on ahead.
And the merchant's family?
They suddenly
doubled up in pain
and vomited
what looked like blood.
Toadstools?
If you want to kill yourselves,
take my gun.
Anyone else eat that stuff?
Sure. It looked good.
They ate some.
We don't need
any more help from you.
We'll live or die
as we please.
Let me bury the child.
Carrying it around
won't bring it back to life.
You killed this child!
They died like flies today.
Where's your family?
What's it to you?
Nothing. Just asking.
I put 'em out of their misery.
Seems we weren't
the only ones lost in here.
I won't give up!
Can we make it out?
We'll know tomorrow.
We caught them.
We're entitled to keep one.
No, we share equally.
You couldn't even hit that bird,
so don't play squad leader.
We're eating one.
Just try it.
I missed the bird,
but I won't miss you.
You're not the only one
who can use a rifle!
Stop it!
Stop acting like children.
You're right.
What's got into us?
Kaji, we'll share the snake
if you'll ration out the rice.
Wait till tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow...
will we make it out of here?
I don't know.
But here's how I look at it:
When my unit was wiped out,
shells burst right in front of me,
but I survived.
So I don't think
I'll die in this forest.
So if I stick with you,
I won't die either.
I'd like you to think so.
Wherever you go,
I will always be with you.
Always!
We'll have to walk
long and hard tomorrow.
I wonder how things are
in South Manchuria.
I have a sister there.
My only living kin.
She's not like me.
Is that where you're going?
Will you take me there?
I hope South Manchuria
is still safe.
It has to be.
This is the last of it.
I'm breaking out of this forest today
come what may.
I won't stop until I reach
homes or farmland.
Stick with me
if you don't want to die.
Shit!
He's a fast walker!
I'd keep up with him
if I weren't injured.
Kaji, you called me
a fool once.
I won't forget that!
You also saved me
from those tanks.
I won't forget that either.
What kind of guy
are you anyway?
Shit!
The bastard!
Where does that dog
get all that energy anyway?
Damn! If we find friendly forces,
I'll be disgraced!
A full corporal taking orders
from a private!
I should've died
a hero's death in action.
I'd be in a fancy coffin
at Yasukuni Shrine.
Fools!
We'll never make it out
of these woods.
Help will come when it comes.
To hell with this. I give up!
What do you think, boss?
I think he's taking us
in the wrong direction.
He's heading for Vladivostok.
I couldn't care less.
I'm giving up...
We'll be left behind.
Ume-chan, get up!
Let me be...
Can I keep walking?
Where am I headed anyway?
All this walking...
is it just a waste of time?
Has South Manchuria become
just another mass grave
for the Japanese?
Maybe there's nowhere left
for the Japanese to go.
Wait! Don't kill her!
I'm coming back
to face charges.
Michiko...
are you still alive?
Do you realise
that I'm walking like this
to return to your side?
Will we reach farmland today?
Terada!
What's that?
What do you think it is?
A house?
Other human beings!
A house - it has to be!
Wait, it's too soon to rejoice.
We'll wait here for the others.
- Ushijima Unit from Seiundai?
- Yes, sir.
The Doi work party?
Yes, sir.
Ushijima Battalion
was wiped out.
What happened
to Lieutenant Doi?
Killed in action, sir.
Then why are you still alive?
Why didn't you press on
in a final attack?
Your commanders are dead,
yet you dare live on?
You must be deserters.
And bringing a woman along -
such indiscretion! Explain yourself!
I offer no explanation.
You deny our request for food?
I do!
My unit's to make a final stand
at the Korean-Manchurian border.
We have no supplies
for cowards.
Now get out of here!
Loiter here
and we'll hang you all.
Captain Nagata, was it?
Keep your food
and your damned lectures.
I'll blow your head off!
Nobody move!
Terada and Hikita,
shoot anyone who moves.
Look at these idiots in full battle dress!
What final stand"?
If you don't want
to give us food, just say so!
Our men were wiped out
so you could run! I'll blow you to bits!
Kaji, while we were scaring
those filthy rats,
we should've filched
some supplies.
To hell with supplies!
That bastard!
Corporal Hironaka,
those are the friendly forces
you wanted to join.
And that slob was a captain!
Someone's coming.
Nice work, Kaji.
Remember me?
Tange!
That's right. It's Tange.
You scared the hell out of me,
firing at us like that.
Look at that beard.
You've sure changed.
When it's kill or be killed,
you change.
Well, we can talk later.
Eat some of this.
It's not over yet, is it?
It must be.
If it does end,
what will be the outcome?
Like Germany:
unconditional surrender.
That's probably true,
but I mean after that.
What about guys like us?
I mean,
what happens to the people?
That's the big question.
If we lose, wouldn't
our country be wiped out?
Our country?
What's that?
The country you were taught
to know will be dead...
and that's how it should be.
We've been struggling
to survive...
to see if a country can
take its place where men are free.
That's the big question.
I hope democratic forces
will unite to cope
with this defeat.
Democratic forces" -
is there such a thing in Japan?
Japan's full of helpless creatures
like myself... or worse.
They can do nothing.
Why so bitter?
The test is yet to come.
That's not the point.
We became soldiers...
and fought in battle.
We were wiped out,
and now we plod along.
We killed,
and we deserted our buddies.
Cope with defeat,"
you say.
How many of us are even
capable or worthy of that?
That's enough.
Even your ideals seem starved.
I found a cornfield!
He's fast asleep.
He seems greatly relieved
ever since you joined us.
Seems he had it rough.
But I'm amazed
at how you've kept up with him.
- You've got guts.
- It's not guts. It's desperation.
I can't tell you how often
I felt like giving up.
But though he acts so cold,
this man's been very kind to me.
I must keep on
to learn how my sister is doing.
- Where is she?
- Taishihkiao.
That's near Kaji's place.
Yes, that's why
I'm sticking with him.
Now our only worry
is overeating, not starving.
Dog!
Stop that!
What are you doing?
Stand up!
We mean you no harm.
We just wish to ask our way.
Have any Russians
come this way?
The bastard's pretending
he's deaf.
We just want to return home.
Which way is Jinpohu?
Good. Thank you.
Damn! We were tricked!
That dog!
I should've shot him.
They hate us because
our troops raid their fields.
It's strange.
How come they're armed?
It can't just be guns
from our stragglers.
Maybe they formed
their own peasant militia.
Let's get out of here.
No, we'd be surrounded.
Watch for a chance
to make a dash for it.
You came just in time.
Our scouts blundered,
and things have got nasty.
Front-line unit?
More like wiped-out unit."
You fought hard then!
What do you think
of this plan?
They're searching over there.
You cover us from here
while we make
a run for those woods.
Then we'll cover you from there.
Sounds good...
but not for us.
Why not?
Where are your scouts?
See those four or five men?
That's where they got them.
Shut up!
You didn't go to help them?
With these few men?
I'd hate to find you couldn't
help us either once you got across.
I'll stay here with your men
to provide cover.
Tange and the others
will go first and then cover us.
We'll cooperate
on those terms.
Meaning you don't trust us?
Wait a minute.
Why not wait till dark?
Impossible.
They've already spotted us.
We can't lose this chance.
You may be right.
Tighten your laces!
Let's go!
Fire at random
just to pin 'em down!
It's our turn. Let's go!
Come on!
- Does it hurt?
- Not too bad.
Damn! I'm dead tired!
That damned Ujiie
finally got his!
They got him?
Those bastards
are having a field day!
Their militia seems to indicate
that the war must be over.
If so, they'd announce it
and urge us to surrender.
Would they just come after us?
Would you surrender?
No.
Of course not!
Being POWs
would cramp our style.
We may be paying dearly
for our worthless freedom.
Damn, it's freezing!
If you'd listened to me,
we'd be by a fireplace
dreaming about dames right now.
He gets scared every time
we get near civilians.
We don't have to be so afraid
of a few Chinks with guns.
You OK?
Yes, except for the shivering.
Does your leg hurt?
It's only pain.
Now I appreciate
the value of a roof overhead.
I never realised it before,
but now I understand.
Know what I'm talking about?
It's so nice to have a home
to protect you from wind and rain.
Michiko...
our happiness was an illusion.
For the joys we shared
at the cost of Chinese sacrifices,
I am now paying dearly.
What's more,
I must kill and steal
to fight my way back to you.
Michiko...
will you and I ever get
a chance to start anew?
No village in sight.
Strange.
Shall we rest here?
Those pigs look good.
Doesn't seem unoccupied.
There's probably no danger.
We sleep under a roof at last!
We'll stop here to rest.
Great! I'll get a pig.
The aroma of steaming fat reminds me
of that Russian place, eh, Fukumoto?
What a joint!
It was great!
They had honey,
and all the meat you wanted.
White female flesh too.
What a jackass!
The gal spreads her legs wide,
and he stands there shaking!
You lucky dogs!
Just about then we were
eating snails in the woods.
Cut out the bragging.
Touch a woman while you're
with me and I'll shoot you.
Who gives a shit about
white or Chink dames anyway?
They're raping our women.
It's war.
An eye for an eye.
These guys don't realise
who they're talking to.
I can guess.
Then stop being
such a wet blanket.
You have to enjoy the moment.
That's an awful wound!
It's healed now.
Kaji cauterised it
with gunpowder during the battle.
He did, did he?
Hey, sister,
want me to scrub you down?
- Nice arse!
- Cut it out!
That arse must be
itching by now.
It's a bit baffling,
this oasis for rejects
from the outside world like us.
Let's go outside.
It's depressing in here.
Let's call the men
and get out of here.
It's dangerous wherever we go.
Why not relax the reins a bit?
Am I too hard on them?
You're not satisfied
until you've dragged everyone else
up to your own level.
Of course...
that's probably
why you're alive today.
We're moving on.
Hurry up and get out.
- I'm undressing.
- Don't mind me.
Never seen a naked woman?
You've gone a long time without it too.
What do you say?
Who'd want to do it with you?
I can't pay, but you're not
worth that much anyway, so come on.
Come on! How about it?
Touch me and I'll scream!
What are you doing undressing here?
It's dangerous!
Why don't you mind
your own business?
Go back
and get ready to leave.
You can complain later.
Stop teasing the men.
I wasn't teasing them.
The tension eases and you ladies
are back to your old tricks.
You ladies"?
Stop acting so big.
I happen to prefer his type.
I don't care who you prefer.
There's danger everywhere.
One wrong move
could mean trouble for us all.
Then I won't
trouble you anymore.
You'll see.
That's enough!
The dog!
He was spying on us.
Maybe he lives here.
Maybe we ate his pig.
That's quite a coup for you.
Lucky I was having
a crap out there
or we'd be in hot water now.
Is this your house?
Yes.
I'm sorry we killed your pig.
The hell you are!
What is it with you two?
Son of a bitch!
Break through that wall!
Over here!
They're moving in.
Hurry up!
All right.
Let's go!
Will PFC Kaji be all right?
What'll we do
if something happens to him?
We'll manage.
The man's not God.
It's not like we don't know
east from west.
From here on...
I stop running and start fighting.
They can kill you and me
if they want.
But why civilians?
And a woman?
They're on edge just like us.
You think that's an excuse?
That kind of thinking
justifies anything.
He was still alive
with his guts hanging out.
I put him out of his misery.
Bastards!
What a horrible way to die.
Where are the others?
Out there somewhere.
Go find them, would you?
I'll bury the girl.
- I'll take care of the others.
- Manchus?
Any objections?
If you can bury the girl,
you can bury
the Manchus too.
But I'll do it for you.
I hope we can
make it to that cornfield.
If we're trapped in here,
we've had it.
Here they come.
- Sir!
- Calm down. They're still far off.
Seems we're not the only Japanese
stragglers. What do we do?
Can't let our goose
be cooked with theirs.
In any case,
let's keep moving.
They pillaged this place well.
The Chinese are out for revenge.
We can't get caught up
in this mess.
Damn!
Now we're really in trouble.
What do we do?
We'll never get out of here.
We'll never make it.
- We're doomed!
- We didn't do anything!
Oh, we didn't?
Smoke from the rear, sir!
Let's run for it this way!
It's no use.
They'll get us as we come out.
No one will get out alive.
Looks like the end
of the road, boys.
Let's surrender.
Fool!
Because they smoked us out?
They didn't ask us to surrender.
They mean to smoke us out
and kill us!
Team up!
We're going through the fire line.
Can't be many guns past that.
Terada! Come on!
Terada, come on!
That was a close one!
We'll lie low here until dark.
We made it...
but I don't approve
of your methods.
And we lost another man.
Hironaka?
I'm not blaming you.
I understand.
At the railway we'll find out
what's happened.
Every man can choose for himself.
We'll part there.
Looks like Japanese refugees.
Mostly women,
judging from their clothes.
Should we call to them?
No, let's watch
a bit longer.
What happened?
Don't look!
I can't believe it.
The Red Army
wouldn't mistreat civilians.
Not any civilians -
just Japanese women.
And the Manchus squeal on us
to the Russians.
The prison convoys
are a sickening sight.
Any woman will do.
Nothing's more pitiful than
the women of a defeated nation.
Of course there must be scoundrels
in the Red Army too.
A handful among the millions.
A few dozen
or a few hundred like that
don't undermine the theory of the Red -
no - the People's Army.
A flaw of the transition period
that will surely be corrected.
The Red Army should be different
from the Japanese or the Nazis.
Fundamentally different
even from the American army.
Minor incidents
from a historical standpoint
can be of vital importance
to the individual.
For those who've seen such failings,
the scars never heal.
The blood of hatred will continue
to ooze from the wounds,
forming a breeding ground
for distrust that can't be wiped out.
A trivial event perhaps,
but also a stain on humanity.
How can you defend such a thing?
The Reds further south
were probably like that too.
I still have faith.
Soldiers...
are you headed
for South Manchuria?
We were visiting our uncle
when hostilities broke out.
Where are your parents?
I don't know.
You two are making
your way to Korea?
No, back to Peihutow,
though we're not sure
what we'll find.
Will you take us with you?
Even Nanhutow
would be good enough.
How old are you?
Eighteen.
We move fast.
We can keep up.
We have this far.
You had no trouble on the way?
We had some tough geisha with us.
They sacrificed themselves for us.
And where are they now?
They were taken away.
They say the kid went mad
when the Russians pointed a gun at him
and he saw them
raping his sister.
Shut up!
I'm sorry you have to rest
so often for our sake.
Why do you make
your sister do everything?
He'll perk up
when we get home.
I can't let
anything happen to him
before we get back
to our parents.
If feels great.
You should try it.
I don't usually look like this.
Much better. Very pretty.
Is Jinpohu very far off?
No, not far.
Go straight
and you'll reach Nanhutow.
Where are you headed?
Back to Korea.
How are things in Peihutow?
My village is
only 12 miles from there,
but I really couldn't say.
I don't think
there are still people there.
All the Japanese farmers
have already left the area.
You follow this lakeshore
to Hutow, right?
Yes. It's about 24 miles.
Can you two
make it on your own?
Yes, I think we'll be all right.
I've been thinking about
what that Korean peasant told us.
Even if you go back,
you may find
your father and mother gone.
It may not be wise
to press on.
If you have no place to go,
why not come with me?
I don't know what's left
where I'm headed either...
but you could continue searching
from there or return to Japan.
Wouldn't that be wiser?
I'd rather try
my own home first.
If my parents are gone,
we still have Chinese friends there.
I have to see for myself.
I'll take them.
How about it, Fukumoto?
If her parents are there,
we can relax there a while.
What do you say, sister?
I'm sick of walking.
We'll rest a while
and then plan our next step.
What if there are
no Japanese there?
Then maybe
we'll join the guerrillas
and make her our leader.
They're sure walking fast.
They're in a hurry to get home.
If her home is gone,
this detour may be for nothing.
Leave it to me.
I'll figure out something.
Damn, she has a nice arse!
It's strange.
They come after us
with fire and antitank guns,
yet they overlook
spots like this.
A paradise for the defeated.
Oi, mate! What unit?
Remnants of the border unit.
Damn! We really lost?
We were all dragged into this
by a slip of paper.
The big brass should figure out
how to get us out.
You may be right,
but by now they're all prisoners
or have flown the coop to Japan.
But even Japan must be...
So the Americans take Japan
and the Russians take Manchuria?
The Soviets wouldn't do that.
They'll return it to the Chinese.
To Chiang Kai-shek?
I don't know,
but to the Chinese, in any case.
The Soviet Union
doesn't need more territory.
Their sole aim has always been
the liberation of China.
So they're happy
to do all the work for nothing?
Tange.
This liberation...
how will it take place?
The Communist Chinese
will take over.
All conditions
for revolution are in place.
That means civil war.
Are you guys Reds?
Why not run to the Russians
with your tails wagging?
We have no tails to wag.
So you're fake commies?
- Glad you're not the real thing.
- Who goes there?
- Friends!
- Proceed!
It's stinkin' cold out there!
Like winter!
Were we happy when we saw
these lights from the woods!
Not a bad place
to make a final stand, eh?
Plenty of supplies.
What's the plan?
Hikita, where'd you leave
that girl and her brother?
How far did you get?
We took her to a hill
overlooking her village.
She was a smart one.
She said that was far enough.
Stop lying!
You walked 50 miles
more than we did today?
So what if he's lying?
What's it to you?
If you were so worried,
why didn't you escort them yourself?
You didn't get your chance
because I offered first.
You were trying
to impress her.
She'd already been
worked over by the Reds.
Why should she deserve
special treatment?
And just what treatment
did you give her?
I gave her
the appropriate treatment.
Meaning?
You want to know?
I wiped the Russian filth off her.
Now talk!
What did you bastards
do to her and her brother?
Get out of here!
I'm confiscating your weapons.
Terada, take their rifles.
You bastards can crawl
on all fours from now on.
PART 6
Who goes there?
Who's there?
Show yourself!
Take cover!
Get out of sight
or they'll spot you below.
You can't go down there.
Why not?
The Chinese are mopping up
Japanese stragglers.
There's a logging road
down in those woods.
Our territory ends there.
What are you doing here?
We're dug in here.
Go and see our commander.
He'll brief you, and you can
decide what to do next.
It's impossible
to bomb us here.
Our troops are the very best,
armed with machine guns
and mortars.
We have supplies
to last until next spring.
After next spring, then what?
I'm getting to that.
Do you men realise
what's happening to Japan?
What about Manchuria?
You think Russia
will return it to China?
They will. They must.
To whom?
Chiang Kai-shek?
No, not Chiang Kai-shek.
Wouldn't he want it?
He'll try to take it
with America's backing.
You think the Chinese
will fight back?
Yes.
Good.
We seem to agree there.
The US will back
Chiang Kai-shek
in driving all communist influence
out of Manchuria.
Just wait.
There'll be a civil war...
and in the very near future.
That's when we go into action.
With your 50 men?
Strength of numbers
means nothing.
What matters is
the significance of our action.
When the Nationalists go into action,
we too make our move...
You'll be crushed.
You seem intent
on throwing away your men's lives.
What about you?
You'd let your men meet
a dog's death in dangerous territory.
It's not a dog's death.
They're all sick of war,
sick of the army.
They keep walking
only to get home.
Why should they risk their lives
for the Americans or Chiang Kai-shek?
Then go on! Keep moving!
Don't speak out of place.
We have supplies
to last the winter.
If any of you wish to join us,
speak up.
Each man must decide
for himself.
We'll camp nearby
and leave early tomorrow.
I talked to the NCOs over there.
We could never break through.
Their scouting party
was wiped out
by a Russian cleanup unit.
Does that prove it's safer
to remain entrenched here?
Those who wish to can stay.
Winter's coming.
We have to hurry.
It's a long way yet.
With their cleanup units,
can we break through?
There are so many of us now.
They'll spot us for sure.
It's a big forest.
Stop worrying.
Tange says
we should surrender.
Where's PFC Kaji?
Over there.
PFC Kaji.
Over here.
Mind if we join you?
We don't care
to get involved in another war.
It's your decision.
If you can't tell your commander,
I'll do it for you.
No, please don't.
We'd be punished as deserters.
Then how will you get away?
We'll make our way to the woods
down there. Pick us up there.
As long as we get out
of this place,
we can eke out a living... right?
We vowed
to live and die together.
That means to advance
or retreat as one.
You have no authority
to punish them.
The army's been disbanded.
Army regulations no longer apply.
Don't meddle in our affairs!
The fact these two
broke their vow
is a minor matter,
but it could affect others.
We're convinced
that the best way forward
is to await our chance
to go into action.
Sir, don't waste your breath.
PFC Kaji!
Stop your meddling
and get off this hill.
Our men are raring to go.
Let them try.
We'll see
how disciplined they are.
Guerrillas! You're a band
of mountain bandits!
And in good bandit fashion,
I'll lop your head off!
Wait.
Call your leader. I suspect
he conspired with these men.
I wouldn't advise that.
He's as bad-tempered as me,
with a shorter fuse!
If you mean me,
I'm right here.
Tange, get back!
Commander,
I'll make you a deal.
Some of my men
want to join you.
I'll swap them for those two.
Newcomers
will not be rejected,
but deserters and traitors
will not be tolerated!
Kitago, execute them!
Bastard!
Tange, the rifle!
Commander, you'd better
let us go without any trouble.
You'll all be wiped out
or taken prisoner before winter.
But not us!
We're pushing on!
- What's that on their backs?
- Flamethrowers.
Easy-going bastards -
no rear or advance guards!
They're a pushover
from the rear.
You can try it alone.
Let's go.
I'm surrendering.
You are?
After you guys are gone...
I'm going over to them.
Call out from a distance first
with your arms in the air.
Will we meet again?
If we both survive.
Maybe what you're doing is right
and I'm wrong.
Who knows?
No one can say.
It's a Woodpecker.
Don't worry so much.
It's as still as death.
It'd be nice to have
a roof overhead tonight.
We'll split up to be safe.
This is getting to my back.
I've about had it.
That was close!
If you hadn't split us up,
we'd be dead.
When this thing
started rattling, I went cold!
- Now it's my turn to try it.
- Leave their weapons.
Why? With these we could...
They may not help.
If we're caught with them,
we'll be executed.
They'll think some Japanese soldiers
were just mowed down.
Shoot off all the ammo.
Then we're moving on.
Doesn't look like
a Manchu village.
Some kind of settlement?
Looks like it.
What do we do?
Let's have a look.
According to that commander,
there are no Japanese
stragglers in this area.
This might be the border
with civilised society.
Split into four groups.
Keep 400 yards between you.
My group will go first.
If anything happens to us,
you decide whether to run
or give yourselves up.
By today or tomorrow,
our fate will be decided.
Where are
you gentlemen headed?
Across the railway tracks
to South Manchuria.
- Just the three of you?
- No.
There are 15 men behind us.
You may not know this,
but the railway is
about six miles from here.
Just beyond that
is a POW camp.
Have any of our soldiers
passed through here?
Some have passed through
once in a while.
And they brought nothing
but trouble.
They stagger in half starved.
We've used up
all the supplies we brought,
and our fields have been
constantly plundered.
We don't know
what we'll do now.
What happened
to those soldiers?
They would change direction
when they left here,
but we'd always hear the distant
rattling of those automatic guns.
It's doubtful
any of them survived.
Do enemy troops
come and make trouble?
At first we feared
and hated them,
but they're actually better
than our own men.
They bring us bread.
They're huge,
but they're naive as babies.
If we're nice to them,
they leave peacefully.
Not like our troops,
who are just freeloaders.
You intend
to stay here overnight?
Since even the Russians
seem more popular than us,
I won't insist.
We can camp out.
You're a man of character.
May I ask one favour?
The Soviets
are supposed to look after us,
but that solves none
of our immediate problems.
I know it's asking quite a lot...
What is it?
They're growing
corn and potatoes
about two miles from here.
So we steal some?
It's an evil thing we ask,
but the women
will carry it all.
Please just protect them
from any harm.
I understand.
We'll be your villains.
Come partway
and wait for us there.
It's better if you don't
enter the fields.
It's cold out here,
even with a fire.
Why don't you men
come inside?
I've kept a spot for you.
No need to keep watch?
I'll stay up a while longer.
Someone can relieve me later.
That young man's
in for a surprise.
Why?
They're all rolling around
together in the dark in there.
And there's
more women than men.
Soldier, are you angry with me
for what I said
about the Russians?
No.
But you think I'm immoral.
Is that it?
No.
Are the women here...
I mean, are you married?
Yes.
So we married women
should just starve?
Bite our tongues off
and just die?
Who said anything like that?
Even if we get home alive,
how many of us
can return to our former lives?
Women and soldiers
who spend fleeting nights together
always talk about
returning home together.
When flesh meets flesh,
it really seems possible.
But at dawn,
the soldiers are strangers again.
They get restless and anxious
and grab their weapons
and sneak off.
Soldier, are you listening?
I hear you.
Women waste no tears.
They just wait patiently
for the soldier who'll come
and take them away.
We'll never get home.
We'll never see
our loved ones again.
We don't even know
how long we'll live.
We all share the same fate.
We're all ruined!
We eat only to keep
our strength from failing.
We'll never get home!
We'll never see
our loved ones again!
We all share the same fate!
We're ruined!
We're ruined!
We all share the same fate.
We'll never get home.
We'll never see
our loved ones again.
Never get home...
never see
our loved ones again...
Let's go inside.
It's safe here at night.
No Russians
or Manchus will come.
You go on.
I'll find somewhere
to sleep later.
A paragon of virtue, eh?
Rare for a soldier.
Too good to be
dallying with my kind.
So I was buying a woman
by stealing that food?
Michiko...
I'm still alive.
I'm still walking towards you.
If you weren't waiting...
I doubt I could
continue another day.
There's trouble brewing inside.
Some want to marry
the women and stay here.
Others want to take them along.
What about you?
I felt like having fun
last night.
Hadn't had a chance
to work out the kinks in a while.
But what about you?
You're acting like some Zen priest.
- Weren't any girls interested?
- Who the hell cares?
I'm thinking of disbanding
our unit here.
Last night I really learned
to appreciate a woman's tenderness.
What do you say
we discard our weapons
and join them as refugees?
Weak-kneed women?
We'd never get anywhere.
We'd have to discard them
somewhere.
Not necessarily.
With just men, it's kill or be killed.
With women,
they might go easy on us.
Even some of the soldiers
want to come along with us.
We have to act now
while they're here.
This may be our last chance!
And if you run into Russians
or Manchus on the road?
The soldiers have weapons.
They might get away.
We could be stripped naked
and who knows what else.
That young man's
really afraid of you.
Why?
You have a way
of intimidating people.
It was me who seduced him,
you know.
How's that my business?
It is your business.
I hear you saved his life.
He claims he'll follow you
wherever you go.
So I'm coming too.
You don't mind, do you?
This is no time
to be playing house.
The past few weeks
have made a man out of Terada.
If casual love turns into
the real thing, fine.
I'll leave him behind.
You two can do as you wish.
You were probably
his first woman.
Any man might do for you,
but the boy's still naive.
If he fell in love overnight,
you're partly responsible.
I just want you
to stay clear of me.
After all, I'm human too.
The women insist
on relying upon you
and going wherever you go.
Won't you become a refugee
and go south with us?
At least wait till dusk
and take us as far as the railway.
Please?
There we can decide
whether to go north or south.
That'll only take till dawn.
Let's do it.
Is that asking too much?
I've heard various opinions
from my men and the women.
I myself don't know
would what be best.
So those who feel the same way
should go on together.
Each person can decide
which group they'll join.
What are you going to do?
I'm crossing the railway
and continuing on.
And your rifle?
I'm taking it.
Are you sure you'll make it?
No... but I'm going to try.
I'm leaving right now.
Terada, you'd better stay here.
You can pass
as a young refugee.
Bury your rifle and bayonet.
I won't stay behind.
I'm going.
What about her?
She's depending on you.
Didn't you want someone
to depend on you?
She means nothing to me. It's only
'cause you rejected her that she...
Stop pretending
to understand things you don't.
She doesn't want you or me.
She just wants male protection.
Stay behind and give her that.
Keep trotting along behind me
and you'll never become a man.
Run for it!
Enemy troops!
Take cover!
Women out of sight
and don't come out!
How many?
About 20.
Soviets and Chinese peasant militia.
Fire when you hear
my first shot.
Toss your grenades
and attack immediately.
Aim for the automatics first!
Wait till I fire!
Stop!
Stop!
What will happen to us
if you start a battle?
Please!
Soldiers...
please don't!
Soldiers!
Drop your weapons, all of you!
We're surrendering.
Terada, don't come out!
Stay with the women!
Son of a bitch!
Stop crying!
It's not over yet.
It's only just beginning.
Forward!
Get in line!
Let's go.
Move it!
Get going!
You there! Move it!
You there! Move!
Get back in line!
Back in line!
Stand up.
Move along!
Stay in line!
Bastard!
Get up!
Terada, get up!
Halt!
Halt!
Halt!
Get up!
Get up, quick!
No sitting down!
Get up! No sitting down!
Interpreter!
Who called this halt?
Who gave
the unauthorised order to halt?
It came from the rear.
Who was it?
Step forward
or everyone will be punished!
The commander's angry.
If the culprit isn't found,
you'll all get three days'
hard labour without food.
Who was it?
Step forward!
Who did it?
It was you. Step forward.
Go on!
It was me.
Fool! Why'd you do
such a thing?
I didn't mean to.
I didn't think they'd halt,
but I was hoping they would.
He says the prisoners
need a rest.
That's for the commander
to decide.
Are you resisting my authority?
You're just a prisoner.
Just do as you're told.
Explain what I'm saying.
The commander doesn't realise
conditions at the rear.
The men are hit by diarrhoea.
Some have even been
kicked by the guards.
Maybe I went too far,
but he has to understand
the conditions back here.
He says many men
in the rear have diarrhoea.
The guard kicked
one of these men.
He wants
the case investigated.
He claims one of you kicked
a prisoner. ls this true?
Physical force against prisoners
is not allowed!
However, if a prisoner violates
military discipline again,
he'll be punished!
Fascist samurai!
He'll let you off this time,
but don't do it again.
And he called you
a fascist samurai.
Forward!
Filthy dog!
Go to hell!
Get up!
I'm sorry.
It's OK. Forget it.
- Fascist samurai? That's a good one.
- Shut up!
Starting today,
I, Noge, assume command
of this work detail
by order of the Red Army.
The fortunes of war
have turned against us,
and we've tasted
the bitterness of defeat.
But our fatherland
still remains.
Someday we shall again tread
the soil of our fatherland.
The Japanese are a race
that respects authority.
To show the Soviets
what an extraordinary race we are,
we must meet our labour quotas.
I will then be able to negotiate
with the Russian officers
to win improvements
in your work conditions.
You must endeavor
to maintain good health,
bear these bitter trials,
and await the rebuilding
of our fatherland.
That's all.
They eat officer rations and do nothing.
Easy for them to say.
International law allows
for special treatment for officers.
Oh? Discrimination
in the land of the Reds?
WORK STATION #1
Terada, I just had an idea.
Starting tomorrow, pretend
you're sick and stay behind.
After we leave for work,
rummage through
their rubbish heaps.
Potato peels,
scraps of carrot -
salvage anything edible.
We'll add it to our rations.
Otherwise we'll starve...
and I refuse to die like this!
FIGHT ON FOR COMMUNISM!
Back to work! On your feet!
We can't work
unless they feed us.
Stop your grumbling!
Come on, boys!
Our presence is requested!
What are you doing?
Making clothes
out of these sacks.
What if the Russians catch you?
With that nice uniform,
you don't need these,
but we fought in these
same clothes last summer.
Just shut up
and put them back.
It's just gunnysacks,
but it's still their property,
and it's a disgrace
to the Japanese people!
Leave me alone.
The waters
will be freezing soon.
I'm wearing these gunnysacks...
unless someone
provides winter clothing.
I know rummaging
for rubbish must be rough.
Only washing the stuff,
now that the water's so cold.
But then I feel better,
knowing we'll all live another day.
When you hear them singing,
you get the feeling
they're good men.
They must have
something to sing for.
Outside the army, I mean.
When I joined up,
I was so ignorant.
You once said to me,
"You're a fool"
and Dying in battle
is a dog's death."
Remember?
It was true.
We walked a long way.
I didn't expect
to end up like this.
But it's all right.
I see now how important
it is to go on living.
My life is just beginning.
There's no sinking any lower.
We can only go up from here.
Idiots on kitchen duty
usually go on about women.
You don't hear
much philosophising.
Then you can stay behind
and I'll go on work detail!
Ignore him.
He has the bad habit
of sneering at anyone
who talks
about anything serious.
I was hoping
we'd meet again.
I can't say the same.
Are thieving rapists allowed
to run around free in here?
I was taken prisoner
after that incident, thanks to you.
But I used my brains.
I'm one of the
active elements" here.
Me, old Kirihara!
Where are
Hikita and Fukumoto?
Shipped out to Siberia.
I'll be keeping my eyes open
around here.
Can't allow any violations,
you know.
Kaji...
it's my turn now.
I have to survive
to see that bastard
unmasked.
If I talked down to you before,
I'll correct that.
It had become a habit.
But the world's going democratic"
now, and I have to adapt.
You're a good worker,
but is it true you've planted
a saboteur among us?
He's not a saboteur.
He's sick.
And it wasn't intentional,
but inevitable.
Well, I can't allow it.
The Red officers are angry.
Not that the other groups
are all copying you,
but they're planting
saboteurs too.
That's how the Reds see it.
If this easy work detail
produces saboteurs,
they threaten to send us
to north Siberia,
and no one ever
returns from there.
That's how it is.
What do you think?
I don't think anything.
Why exactly was I called here?
We want you
to stop the sabotage.
You can live well
on your officer rations,
but we have no alternative
but to protect ourselves.
For now the Soviets grant you
the privileges of military rank.
If you'll see to it that we can work
without fear or concern,
I'll gladly change my ideas.
I'm a prisoner myself.
You enjoy defying your former officers.
Those gunnysacks, for example.
It's not enjoyment.
It's necessity.
Then you refuse to stop
this sabotage, even if I ask?
I must refuse.
It may not be right,
but I cannot stop it.
This insubordination
will not be tolerated!
Major objectives sometimes
call for minor sacrifices.
I may be forced
to hand you over to the Reds.
Do what you will, Noge-san.
I have faith in the future
of socialism,
and in my countrymen.
I will continue to work,
but I must also preserve
the strength of those around me.
That's how it is.
That kind of element
will bring trouble in the future.
We must deal with him now.
How'd your talk with Noge go?
Keep pushing it and they'll take us
off this light work detail.
You never do any work anyway.
It's guys like you who undermine
my argument with Noge.
Finally showing signs
of wear and tear, eh?
You're a good fellow,
but stupid.
Living right doesn't necessarily
mean living seriously.
Chaotic times
call for chaotic living.
Your naivet brings
tears to my eyes.
They say even a thief
has his reasons.
Son of a bitch!
I'll show you
what real labour means!
Son of a bitch!
Constant loafing
has made you soft.
Stop that!
Stop it!
Enough!
Whatever this man did,
that's going too far!
How can you
stand there laughing?
Such brutality will not
be tolerated again!
Rest quietly, or you'll
end up like that too.
I won't die.
Not after making it this far.
We've been
through worse than this.
Be quiet and rest.
Get a fire going in here.
Minagawa!
Is Minagawa
the interpreter around?
Sorry, but one of my men
needs a sickbed.
They're all taken.
They're even discharging
patients who are still sick.
Then can you get him
some aspirin?
That's only for inpatients.
Then I'll go ask myself.
Will you interpret?
Listen, I'm busy.
I can't be running around
for one patient.
You know, you'd better start
showing up for work.
I can't stick up for you
much longer.
I'm suspected
of something again?
It's not just you.
The Soviet officers are angry.
They're cracking down
on reactionary elements.
Private first class,
21 months of service.
Previous employment:
Labour Supervisor."
So you helped
exploit workers, eh?
Yes...
it seems so.
What did he say?
It doesn't concern
this interrogation.
This is not a court.
I will not pronounce sentence.
But we cannot allow resistance
and sabotage by prisoners.
You will be assigned to a detail
pulling up railway tracks.
There are no camps
nor fenced enclosures...
but you cannot escape
or resist.
If you try,
you will starve to death.
You're getting hard labour
as punishment for sabotage.
If you resist or attempt escape,
you will starve to death.
That's ridiculous!
I don't mind hard labour,
but can't we talk like human beings?
Let me tell my side.
Tell him that.
What's he saying?
He says
that what you say
is ridiculous...
and stupid.
Son of a bitch!
Fascist Jap!
What did he say?
Ah, it's you!
Wait a minute.
I've seen you
somewhere before.
Yes, it's you!
The samurai scoundrel!
I'd expect something
like this from you!
Nazi dogs are the worst scum
in the world...
and then come
Japanese like you!
Forgive my delay.
It was a lengthy meeting.
What's wrong, Captain Sverdlov?
You look angry.
I've never seen
such a notorious fascist!
This saboteur takes us for fools,
Comrade Chapayev!
- He called us stupid, Comrade Chapayev.
- No!
This one he addresses
as comrade
must be a true party member.
If only I could speak
their language!
That fool Minagawa!
There's so much to tell you.
It would take me all night.
But...
I wonder if you'd understand.
Explain your reasons
for the sabotage.
And leave out
all the fancy talk!
I survived the battle
and tried to escape.
I hoped to find proof here
that I was wrong to run.
But now I see that
it was an idealistic miscalculation.
Russia's needs
and its historical mission
lead it to destroy human lives
and then justify doing so.
Just or not,
the sacrificed individuals suffer.
They must protect themselves,
but it looks like resistance.
What other way is there?
After the war ended,
did you ever harm
any of our men?
I did.
Did you also harm
any Chinese?
I did.
That is sufficient
to declare you a war criminal.
I could have denied it.
You have no evidence!
Meanwhile you deny
that your own troops
committed rape and pillage
against the Japanese...
even though it would not
harm the prestige of the Red Army.
I at least admit my faults
so that I may point out yours.
I don't know whether
Kirihara or Noge turned me in,
and it doesn't matter.
What matters is that you use
such men to censure me
for saving my men's lives
by sifting through your rubbish heap.
In your urgency,
supervision grows slack.
You stick to inflexible rules.
Good intentions are suppressed,
and evil is tolerated.
The fact that socialism
is better than fascism
is not enough
to keep us alive!
Stand up.
You're very excited
and worked up.
Things don't always
run smoothly here.
Your main complaint
is that we organise
our work here
without considering
your position, correct?
Given more time,
a democratic movement
will develop among you
and all will progress smoothly.
You must wait and not resort
to your own methods.
You admit to sabotage.
We cannot openly
condone such acts.
The commander has decided
to send you and your accomplices
to work on the forest railway.
It's only for one week.
You must submit.
Anything else to say?
If possible, I'd like
some aspirin or something.
He wants medicine.
He says his friend is sick.
We'll have something
for you tomorrow.
You'll come back, won't you?
Didn't you say your life
was just beginning?
If you're not well
when I get back,
you're just a weakling.
Look after Terada, OK?
Going away, eh?
Will you do something for me?
What?
It's Terada.
You wanted revenge on me.
You got it.
Terada's sleeping now.
See that he gets food.
That should be no problem
for Comrade Kirihara...
Trying to butter me up, eh?
You squealed on Noge and me
in your interrogation,
but they took no notice, eh?
That's all right.
Now you'll be sleeping
out in the cold.
Think about the price you're paying
for driving me out once.
Here, take some.
Don't think you've won!
Kaji!
Is that you?
Tange!
It was a mistake to escape
and walk all that way,
and another mistake
to get caught.
I'm considering making
one further mistake.
Sure you can pull it off?
Not really.
You'll be captured or killed,
or you'll freeze to death.
It's not like you
to trust in luck.
It's strange
you should fear Siberia.
If you can't survive it,
no one can.
They can send us to Siberia
and work us to death.
But take down the "peace"
and "liberation" signs. Listen to me.
Exploit our labour
and then try to re-educate us -
that shouldn't be
the Soviet way.
I'm not complaining
about too much work.
I can even understand
the short rations.
Their guards even sleep
on the ground like us.
What I'm saying...
is that most POWs are not enemies
in the class struggle.
How they treat the men
seems lacking in some ways,
excessive in others.
Excessive in what way?
Maybe I'm wrong...
but they seem
smug and selfish to me.
That can't be helped.
The present stage
calls for a Soviet-first policy.
Really?
It can't be helped?
Is that the universal solution to human
dilemmas: It can't be helped"?
History will correct that...
not you or me.
Well, I'm fed up!
If they ship me to Siberia,
I'll stake my life on stressing that point.
Terada!
Wake up!
I warned him repeatedly,
but his fever was down
and he got out of bed.
He insisted on going out
for more scraps.
His luck ran out
when Kirihara caught him.
He was beaten severely
and given latrine duty.
We carried him,
limp and covered with shit,
to the infirmary...
but it was too late.
I heard he died
repeating your name.
You may not believe me,
but I took the case to Noge.
The bastard wouldn't listen.
Do the guards know?
Yes, but they say
it wasn't a crime.
No direct evidence.
Tange...
I've changed my mind.
I'm breaking out tonight.
Don't try to stop me.
I know it's a mistake,
but I'm going.
Chapayev wants
to see you about me.
At this hour?
I requested
that we have it out.
Afraid?
Don't be stupid!
We'll need Minagawa.
No need. One of them
can understand us.
You coming?
Or will you apologise?
You're a pest.
Good riddance,
shipping you off to Siberia.
This way.
Son of a bitch!
Get up!
I'll let you have it
until you do!
Stop it, please!
Please! I apologise!
That's what I've been
waiting to hear!
Bastard!
Die! Worthless scum
like you deserve to die!
It takes too long to do away
with bastards like you!
Meanwhile, good men
suffer and die!
Die!
Come on!
Step up!
Keep moving!
All right.
What's wrong,
you stinky devil?
Kaji-san!
Terada, is that you?
Are you still following me?
Don't, Terada.
If you keep dogging my heels,
you'll never become a man.
No... you're already
a fine young man.
You can go anywhere.
I'm still walking on.
If I lose my way,
please guide me.
You're a man now
Please guide me.
I'm not mistaken, am I?
No, I'm not!
Tange is now off to Siberia.
That rascal...
probably both despises
and envies me.
Michiko.
Let them laugh.
Let them try to stop me.
I'm coming back to you.
I'm still walking on.
I'll beg for food at that village
and then continue on to you.
Get lost, beggar!
Are you deaf?
Get out of here!
Thieving dog!
I'll kill you!
Thief!
This one's Japanese!
Look, a Japanese devil!
Michiko, forgive me.
I've come as far as I can.
Michiko, look
I've come this far.
I'm going to save this for you.
I'm bringing
this dumpling to you.
It's my only gift-
After over 700 days
away from you,
it's all I have to bring you.
I had to kill many men...
to continue my journey
back to you.
I killed many men.
Don't hate me for it!
I'm coming home to you.
Even now
I keep walking towards you.
Michiko, do you still
await my return?
I'm so happy!
No matter what they said,
I knew you'd return.
Your beard's tickling me!
You must shave it off...
and take a bath.
No, you can eat after that.
I never stopped believing.
I knew you'd come back.
I was positive you'd return.
In your arms...
I seem to melt away.
Wait for me, Michiko!
It won't be long now!
I've come this far.
It won't be much longer.
I faced so many trials
along the way,
but that's all over now.
Tonight I'll see your face,
hear your voice,
touch your hands,
and my memories will
bring back all that we've lost.
It's not far now.
Let me rest just five minutes.
Then I'll continue on to you,
no matter what.
In the end
we never had to say farewell.
Tonight our life together
will begin anew.
Michiko, I'm home at last!
I'm with you at last!
THE END