Yesterday I talked about the list of Great Japanese Directors I didn’t even mention Mikio Naruse. Another of those fairly unknown, but fantastic directors. Today I saw my first Naruse. Finally, I may add. I’ve had the Masters of Cinema dvd boxset in my collection for some time now. But these films are not something to take lightly. I was waiting for the right moment. This week I have some time of before I start my new job, so I…

This is one harrowing movie. Kon Ichikawas 1959 masterpiece deals with the struggle of a lonely, sick and disoriented Japanse soldier on a Phillpine island during the last days of the Second World War. Eiji Funakoshi plays Private Tamura, whom we see returning to his company in the first scene. Tamura has TB and went to the hospital, but the hospital sent him back without curing him. He was told he didn’t have anything serious.

His superior tells him he…