The Emperor in August
The Emperor in August (Japanese: 日本のいちばん長い日, literally "Japan's Longest Day") is a 2015 Japanese historical drama film directed by Masato Harada.[2][3] It was released on August 8, 2015.[3]
| The Emperor in August | |||||
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Theatrical release poster | |||||
| Japanese name | |||||
| Kanji | 日本のいちばん長い日 | ||||
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| Directed by | Masato Harada | ||||
| Starring | Kōji Yakusho Masahiro Motoki Tori Matsuzaka Shinichi Tsutsumi Tsutomu Yamazaki | ||||
Release date |
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Running time | 136 minutes | ||||
| Country | Japan | ||||
| Language | Japanese | ||||
| Box office | ¥875 million[1] | ||||
A remake of Japan's Longest Day (1967), the film depicts the chain of command of Imperial Japan's government, military, and War Council under Hirohito in the immediate period before the surrender of Japan in World War II between April 1945 to August 15, 1945, chronicling Kantarō Suzuki's term as the Prime Minister and the final months of War Minister Korechika Anami, the Allied firebombing of Tokyo on May 25, preparations for Operation Ketsugō, the leadership's response to the Potsdam Declaration and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the failed military coup intended to foil Japan's declaration of surrender.
Plot
The film recreates the chain of historical events from April to August 15, 1945, which determined the further fate of Japan: the last months of the command of the armed forces of Imperial Japan and the military council under the leadership of Hirohito in the period before Japan's surrender in World War II, the tenure of Kantaro Suzuki as prime minister and the last months of his tenure as Minister of War Korechika Anami, the Allied bombing of Tokyo, preparations for Operation Ketsugō, the reaction of the leadership to the Potsdam Declaration and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as a failed military coup designed to thwart Japan's surrender.
Cast
- Kōji Yakusho as General Korechika Anami
- Masahiro Motoki as Emperor Hirohito
- Tori Matsuzaka as Major Kenji Hatanaka
- Kenichi Yajima as Naidaijin Kōichi Kido
- Akaji Maro as Admiral Hisanori Fujita
- Ikuji Nakamura as Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai
- Kazuhiro Yamaji as Tōji Yasui
- Yuki Ikenobō as Empress Kōjun
- Shu Nakajima as General Hideki Tojo
- Yasumasa Oba as Lieutenant Colonel Masataka Ida
- Misako Renbutsu as Kimiko
- Erika Toda (special appearance as Miss Yasuki)
- Kenichi Matsuyama (special appearance as Takeo Sasaki)
- Shinichi Tsutsumi as Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu
- Tsutomu Yamazaki as Prime Minister Kantarō Suzuki
Reception
The film grossed ¥145.48 million on its opening weekend and was number 10 at the box office.[2] It had grossed ¥875 million by August 26.[1] The film received ten Japan Academy Film Prize nominations, as well as the Blue Ribbon Award and Mainichi Film Awards.[4][5]
See also
- Japan's Longest Day (1967)
References
- ^ a b Kevin Ma (August 26, 2015). Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ a b Kevin Ma (August 12, 2015). . Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ a b "日本のいちばん長い日(2015)". allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ "Homegrown War Film to Take on 'Jurassic World,' 'Rogue Nation' in Japan | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- ^ "Japan Academy Awards: Cannes Entry 'Our Little Sister' Leads With 12 Nominations | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)
- The Emperor in August at IMDb