I LIVE IN FEAR
Produced by Seijiro Motoki
Scenario by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni and Shinobo Hashimoto
Photography by Asakazu Nakai
Music by Fumio Hayasaka
Leading players
Toshiro Mifune
Takashi Shimura, Minoru Chiaki, Masao Shimizu, Eiko Miyoshi
Kyoko Aoyama, Haruko Togo
Yutaka Sata, Kamatari Fujiwara
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Dcctcr Harada. Dental Surgecn
Phone, Father
It's the court
The court? What's up?
The Association proposed Father as a court adviser
He mediates in divorce suits and suchlike
Difficult work
He grumbles about it, but he's taken up with it
The court sits at one; another afternoon lost
I shouldn't have taken it on
Tckyc Family Ccurt. Department cf Dcmestic Relaticns
Judge Araki
But my daughter's been supported by him
It's not for us ourselves, but think of the baby
Please wait here
Can't I go in? I'm just as much his son as you are
You've no right to speak to us in that tone
You're only my Father's son-in-law
She's illegitimate...
...but she's his flesh and blood
I don't see why you're so bothered about this case
We'll have to discuss it with you...
...but now it's more important to pacify Father
We'll have to coax him to start talking
Please wait here
You heard me
Whoever you are, we're not trying to ignore you
Anyway, he's so agitated
I'm a court mediator
I don't understand
Why butt into family affairs?
I'm so sorry. Father is always like this
Say something, Ichiro. This is too much
Father, you see...
We agreed amongst ourselves...
...and we asked them to
As long as there was an official application...
I won't recognize it
Legally, this application is fully...
Father, don't you accept that we are all adults?
Your Honour
Do they look adults? All they're worried about is my money
Blind fools!
Of course, we appreciate your sentiments
Your worries are those of all Japanese people
Of course, except that you're a bit...
Say I'm insane! Why can't you listen to me?
Mother, please
Don't make a scene
Let's go home, and let's...
Out of the question
We've come here just to disgrace ourselves
Ichiro, do something, it's terrible. You're the first-born
This is awful
That's all right. This is our job
A Family Court exists...
...for you to bring your troubles to it
We're happy to mediate in all difficulties
Not only such family disputes
Life is full of disputes; brawls will not solve them
So it's best to involve the help of a third party
Things will get better if you make a clean breast of them
Our job is to be advisers
We'll hear both sides, and help you to reach a decision
Now, what do you say?
Won't you talk it out with us as your friendly advisers?
Miss Tamiya, let's begin
Please wait in the corridor
Father
We've got a big problem this time
So it seems. This is your colleague, Lawyer Hori
Doctor Harada
Let's study the case notes. I'll read them, to save time
Let's skip the name and address of the applicant
This is how it goes
I request that Kiichi Nakajima...
That man
... be certified ncn ccmpcs mentis...
... cn the grcunds...
... that the applicant, the wife cf said Kiichi Nakajima...
... fcund that since last June...
... he became extremely fearful...
... cf atcmic and hydrcgen bcmbs and subsequent radicactivity...
... and seeking tc avcid such radicactivity frcm the scuth...
... despite his family's cppcsiticn...
... did purchase prcperty in Akita Prefecture...
... and ccnstructed an unusual undergrcund dwelling...
... until scme mcnths later he read a newspaper article...
... that radicactiviy came frcm the ncrth...
... and he stcpped the ccnstructicn
The family suffered because cf this
A meaningless Icss cf seven millicn yen
But this eccentric ccnduct has nct abated
He says the cnly safe place cn earth...
... is Scuth America...
... and he planned single-mindedly tc emigrate all his dependents
... declaring that he will invest all he has tc this purpcse
Unless he is declared tc be ncn ccmpcs mentis...
... and placed under a guardian...
... his life and the lives cf all members cf his family...
... will be ruined hencefcrth
Therefcre the ccurt is requested tc intervene
Don't lose sight of the fact that if he's judged to be irresponsible...
...what will happen to us?
The master won't be able to use his own money
His wife will be appointed guardian
Then you and my daughter...
Don't worry about Asako, she'll take care of herself
Will the applicant come in, please?
Mother
Please spare me this. You go
Don't forget that you are the applicant. Bear up
Hurry, don't waste time
Mrs Toyo Nakijama?
First son Ichiro
Second son Jiro
Daughter Yoshi
Her husband
Only applicants
I do understand
Listen, son
What do you think of atomic and hydrogen bombs?
What's up?
Never mind, what do you think of them? Are you afraid?
Of course I am
Really afraid?
Why not? Everyone's afraid of them
So how can you be so calm?
Because there's no way of escaping them
Sumiko, let's eat now
Suppose someone is utterly worried about them?
Then he would have a nervous breakdown
You're wrong
He was utterly normal
What is it? Today's case?
What was it?
I just can't understand him
Nakajima Fcundry
Seven tons
Koto's Number Two? Not up to our Number A1, is it
I reckon its ash content is high
He wants to be paid quickly, no matter how
17,500 yen a ton
The freight cost has been increased
- Lower ash content? - As certified
I don't believe it. Don't pay so much per ton
We'll pay cash tomorrow
Ichiro, be careful of fire, I've told you often enough
- He's very foxy - What are you saying, Sue?
But Ichiro's a softie; he needs a guardian, not Father
Don't be cheeky, kid
So you grown-ups went to court, and what happened?
"Calm down and come again"
You still want to fight, after all that?
Who is he?
- He's... - I know Okamoto only
You know that other man, Ichiro?
Mrs Nakajima, I admire your decision, it takes a lot of courage
I was shocked...
...when I learned of your husband's plan
I tried to stop him, but I couldn't, of course
I was convinced, I really admire his decision
But there are so many options
Some people want to leave, some want to return here
That man's an old friend, running a big farm over there
Out of the way
Isn't he clever? It's as good as visiting there
I've seen the film and I like it very much
Look carefully, that's your house
It's good
Yes? Who is it?
Come in
Father? So early in the morning?
What's happened? Have you lost the case?
Don't worry needlessly
This month's allowance
But if they judge you to be irresponsible, I won't get this
That case will fail
You should have seen it
The fact is...
...last night we saw a film of the farm I'm going to buy
A wonderful place
I was fully convinced
Anybody would be, too
Since then, no complaints
It's all settled
Come to Brazil with us, bring your mother's ashes
Father...
...never mind me
I don't belong in your family
I'd hate to burden you by going all that way
If you would give me a lump sum...
...I'll remain here, so...
Shut up! You're...
Forget it
Leave it to me
Father
Sao Paulo?
Taeko, you must know the place
It isn't far from a town named Sao Paulo
I felt refreshed, just watching the film
I appreciate your kind offer to take us with you
But...
Sure, we mustn't accept it
Fools! Why are you so...
Never mind, leave it all to me
I'm afraid we'll have to increase our stock; we'll need extra money
Nonsense. We're moving to Brazil. Stock nothing
I hate that idea of Brazil
Sao Paulo! It's no joke
I can't understand
Why can't you be at ease?
And your father, why does he worry so much?
Take no notice of my wife, just come there with me
All right, just rely on me
Why laugh?
Do you think father was joking? He doesn't want to go
And you?
Well, let's see...
You don't want to go
Wasn't the next hearing listed for the 23rd?
Brought forward?
Yes. You see it's on account of that man
He's ignored our advice and he is proceeding with his scheme
They tell me they just can't leave him alone
Yes, Mr. Hori agrees on the date
Thank you very much
Express letters for you
Mrs Tcyc Nakajima
Family Ccurt. Department cf Dcmestic Relaticns
Mr. Kiichi Nakajima
Attention! There will soon be another thunderstorm
Welcome home
My father's scheme is simply a castle in the air
He wants to buy a farm there
But he has no dollars at all
Emigration is being encouraged if it is constructive
But he's running away from Japan because he's afraid
Will he get any dollars? No
I went to the Finance Ministry and verified it
In short...
...this plan is bound to end up like his underground house
Fool!
Even if I have no dollars I can buy this farm in Brazil
How, for instance?
If there's a farm-owner who wants to return to Japan...
...we can arrange a swap, can't we?
But that will be illegal
I don't think it is illegal
I'd say it's a very clever method
- Have you found such a farm-owner? - Yes
Say...
After you
Look here
Your father is worried about you, too. Can't you go along with him now?
You see, I'm beginning to think...
...that going to Brazil won't be a bad idea
I hear that many people want to go to Brazil now...
...more than the ships can carry
I beg to disagree with it
It overrides our way of life. Think of us
We're getting along fine. Why must we...
You see, we were born and reared beside the foundry
Exactly. We can't imagine a life outside it
Shut up! It was me who built that foundry, with my sweat
It's me who will miss it most of all
I know. I understand
And yet, despite that, you've planned this for our sakes
I appreciate it
Unwanted kindness, all the same
My husband is a teacher of French
I'm not a farmer, either
Fool! Don't you know that it's life that is the most precious?
Life is precious, of course, but people must die sooner or later
Why are you so worried?
People must die, but I hate to be killed
Let me ask you one thing
Do we alone go to Brazil?
We should have no secrets
Doctor, remember the people who argued with me last time?
They are...
...to confess the shameful truth... my father's...
You see, I have five others besides them to support
Two mistresses, their two children...
...and a son by a mistress now dead; I intend to take them all with me
You heard him. Just imagine!
We may bear it, but think of Mother
Please, be brave, speak up. Don't be so humble
Now you must know he's terrible
He's irrational and selfish
We've had enough of being victimized by him
Father, if you must, go to Brazil by yourself
With those people, if you wish; don't count on us
You undutiful brute!
- Is the master in? - Father? He's at the Court
- I thought the case had been dropped - It's the decisive day
Where has Father gone?
Maybe he's gone home
If he has, we'll win
I'm afraid we cannot but accept their application
Doctor Harada?
Very well
One moment
Only... I...
A prodigal is irresponsible
But a prodigal wastes money on drink, women and gambling
But precaution against bombs...
In theory, you're right
But in this case his action is so lacking in common sense
Although tests show that he is quite sane, he's gone too far
That's the point. He's gone too far
But aren't we ourselves worried about the bombs?
Of course we are, as is Miss Tamiya
Only we aren't as perturbed as that man
We don't build underground shelters, or plan to move to Brazil
However, we can't exactly disregard his feeling, can we?
It's a feeling shared by all Japanese, more or less
I can't justify deciding this lightly just because he's gone too far
I'm trying to handle it as a practical matter
That old man feels as he does...
...but his family doesn't feel like going to Brazil with him
We can't make them go; it's against human rights
What if we leave the situation as it is?
That man is bound to sell his foundry
His family will lose their livelihood, and starve
Yes, our investigations indicate that
In order to prevent it, we have to declare him irresponsible
However, why have we taken so much time over this...
...if it's so simple?
At any rate, the very sight of him goes to our hearts
I believe it comes from the essential fear...
...of H-bombs...
...which neither we nor his family can grasp
Why does he feel it so acutely? What induced it?
Let us investigate it carefully
Fear?
I have no fear
Then why hurry to Brazil?
Atomic and hydrogen bombs can be avoided
We mustn't be killed by them, so I'm in a great hurry
Cowards tremble and close their eyes
Like my children
Cowards, eh?
I'm very much afraid that we are, too
Now what shall we do?
What shall we do?
Doctor Harada, can't you see it this way?
It's obvious that he's rash
He's fighting a matter that's too big for an individual
He's bound to end up deadlocked
If the law restricts his freedom before it's too late...
...it will be a mercy for him, too
Will you all come in?
Father, it's eleven o'clock
What are you reading?
Ash cf Death
Are you all right? Don't say you want to go to Brazil
Read it
If the birds and animals read it, they'll flee from Japan
Listen, Susumu...
...I can't put it out of my mind
That case again?
Don't worry, that old man won't stay beaten
He lodged an appeal immediately; a higher court will decide
Very good. You are no longer responsible
It's wonderful. I've longed for such a view for ages
It looks nearer in winter
I'd like to raise cows here. I'm a farmer
I can't run a foundry
Will you buy this land for me, please?
I wonder what the area is
It's about ten hectares, I suppose
The area is about twenty chobu
What's the price?
8,200,000 yen
Pretty expensive, eh?
In Brazil, we can buy 4,000 hectares for that sum
And the deposit?
I must have it soon
Someone else is after it, you know
How much?
A million and a half
Are you sure it's proper to do that?
I can't help it; we must stop Father
You, too, once you find the combination
Ichiro, any news?
It's serious
A glass of water
We were too slow. They didn't know about Father
They paid him the money
How much altogether?
How much?
Here are the details
1,220,000 yen altogether
A lot of money
Good old Father. In only two days
Let me have the deposit book I gave to your mother
I need money in a hurry. Lend it to me
Don't worry, I just...
I know
However, I don't think you'll win so easily, even at a higher court
Fool! I'll win
You think so?
You refuse?
That's my only asset in the world
The deeds to this place?
I need some 300,000 yen now
I'll return it to you in no time
No, I can't
Now when will you acknowledge our Taeko?
You refuse. And take this place. It's too cruel
I'll acknowledge her
We'll talk about the deeds after you acknowledge her
What? Spent it?
I'm sorry
What's happened?
I sent him to cash a promissory note for 200,000 yen
It's like trusting a cat with milk
But I was in a hurry
Cough it up
- What do you mean? - The money, of course
- But I spent it - Not all of it
You can't spend so much so quickly. You wouldn't dare, anyway
- But I did - I don't believe you
Is that all? You must have given some to that woman
I'll find out soon enough
It was so hard to hide this from you
I've saved it out of my allowances. It's not much, though
It wasn't enough, anyway. Forget it
What's the matter? Take it
It's no use taking an insufficient amount
Why don't you take all you have and apologize to that man?
I would
You really are a good man, so frank and honest
I admire your attitude. Very well, I'll wait
But...
...I can't stay in Tokyo for ever; I planned to leave in a few days
Don't worry, this is a gentleman's agreement
When your affairs are settled, visit me as my guest
Take this money with you meanwhile
As a matter of fact, I once had a similar experience
I opposed my father's plan to go to Brazil
Then a fire broke out, our house was burnt down
So I was forced to make up my mind
Such is life
I understand your sons' concern
Return this money to them for the time being
Discuss it with them amicably
After all, you are father and sons
Thank you
One moment
Let's let Father spend it as he likes
This will settle the case once and for all
Don't you see? Father will lose the case with this
It's no use, don't blame us, it's all your fault
You see, I obtained a Court Order...
...forbidding disposal of our assets
Until the case is decided, we can't spend a yen
Yet you did this, a quite illegal action
Your objection will be overruled
But Father brought back the money
Don't accept it
What a way to travel
In four days he'll be back in Brazil
Isn't he a wonderful man?
I'm so glad for you
Excuse me
Aren't you Mr. Nakajima?
Remember me? I'm Harada
Harada of the Family Court
What do you want?
Well, nothing in particular, but...
Excuse me
I must tell you one thing, you who gave me that decision
I told you I wasn't in fear of H-bombs
Look at me now, it's obvious
Now I am full of fear
You have made me like this
Thanks to you, I'm at a dead end
It's terrible. I tremble with fear of the H-bomb
I'm helpless
The more I think of it, the more I quake with fear
But I can do nothing. This is a living hell
However, was it possible to come to a different decision?
I, too, have thought of that man since then
But I concluded that was all we could do
Even though I may have considered his interests as a friend...
...instead of as a judge...
...there was no way to save his soul
His misfortune is nobody's fault...
...except the very existence of the H-bombs...
...and his very unusual disposition, I may add
Secondly, his mind has no limitation
He's born to take everything too far
Master
Isn't the weather weird?
The newspapers say this is because of the H-bomb test
You know more than me, of course...
...but they say that the radioactivity...
...is bound to come to Japan...
...no matter where the explosion is
It's all because of the atmospheric current, so I hear
Japan is a sort of valley into which all radioactivity flows
Living things like us dwell here
What will become of us?
Our hair will fall out
Our bones will rot
That's not very nice, is it?
The other day I saw a magazine about the destruction in Hiroshima
It was really gruesome
I hope you saw it, too
- A baby about its size... - Stop it!
I'm awfully sorry, sir
I should have known you were very worried about it
But, master, don't worry too much
You can't do anything without money. Please don't be so stubborn
Make peace with your family and get as much as you can
Of course, you can afford to be penniless, you won't be put out
A retired gentleman, eh?
However, we can't afford to keep one ourselves
Gone to sleep? Thanks
What is it?
You haven't slept for days
Truth abcut the H-bcmb. A weapcn tc destrcy humanity
Making such a stupid thing!
Where are you going?
Home. Come with me at once
How can I? I haven't the nerve
Father. What is it? We're all here
Please, I beg of you
Go to Brazil, I beg of you
All of you, as one family
You say I'm deluded. Maybe I am
But H-bombs really exist
War can break out at any time
If it does, it will be too late; you can go nowhere then
We can still make it, let's flee while we can
I must spare him
I can't let an H-bomb get him
I gave up hope once
I thought I wouldn't care about you
If I could save this baby at least, that's what I thought
But all of you are my flesh and blood
I can't leave you here
Please come with me
Look, he's written from Brazil, he kindly writes to me
"Come at once. I'll arrange your citizenship"
Great news. Everything will be fine
Even a stranger is so kind to us
I beseech you: come with me to Brazil
Please, I beseech you, like this
Please go with him. Father is begging you
I'm begging you, too
Please go with him
You know, he's always been right
Father's always been a good planner, planning for all of you
Let's go. Ichiro
Jiro. Let's go
Yoshiko. Let's go
Say something. Why are you so silent?
Father, I'll go with you
He needs sleep. He's exhausted
The injection will put him to sleep
I hate to stay here any longer
It's no time to argue about his recognition
What if the master passes away? Our names must be put in his will
His will?
You had your settlement when you married
A trifle, because he was expanding the foundry then
Anyway, transfer of property can't be done without his will
You talk like a lawyer nowadays
His will?
What do you mean?
Those people insist
Aren't they terrible? They want him to die
Wait a minute
Maybe we'd better; a will settles everything
Jiro won't say such a thing. Right?
It's sleepy
It can sleep in my room
Father's asleep. No worries now
At the Court you said you would discuss things with us in the future
Perhaps I did say that. But not tonight
Of course, I hate to ask now
It's a horrible thing, but I can't help it
I understand. I might speak to him for you
But father's fast asleep
The doctor says he needs lots of sleep
It's out of the question to ask the sick about a will
I'm so sorry. You must think it's insolent of me to come here
Mother, look at the baby, just like Father
I'm fine. And you, Mother?
What are you talking about?
She isn't angry with you at all
She's only trying to maintain her dignity
Don't be silly
Look at this album
Your relatives?
Even Father isn't such a great philanderer
It's last year's works outing to the sea
Didn't we have a lovely time?
It was wonderful
Too wonderful, it was all too happy...
...that I was frightened that something sad would come
Yes, I was sure. And it did come
- Brazil? - I won't go, no matter what
I fear Mother and Sue will go with Father
With what money?
If Mother applies for its release
Then what will become of us?
We'll get something, too
But we'll stay here against his wishes, so we won't get much
What about the foundry?
Let's oppose its disposal
We'll stick to the foundry, don't forget that
We'll get it
Where is the Nakajima Foundry?
- It's a disaster - Such misfortune
Explain yourself
Can you think of any other cause?
You said you forgot to quench the coals
Foreman, remember how strict Father was about fire?
"Quench all fires"
Look at this
Master, forgive me, please
Don't worry, it was me. I started the fire
Don't shield others foolishly. The police will be here soon
I tell you, I started the fire
Don't be silly
Mother. Take him in
Jiro, you can't leave Japan because of this foundry
You can't go to Brazil. But if it's lost... So I...
Sue
Sue, tell me what happened
Make a clean breast of it. Why don't you say something?
Tell me what happened
Tell me exactly what happened
You were the first to discover the fire. What did you see?
Who came out of the flames? Tell us. Tell them
Don't cry
Everything will be all right
We've lost the foundry, but we have enough to live on in Brazil
Master, you mean...
...we can all go to the dogs?
Tell me
You don't care if we starve?
He's crazy
Master, can we go to the dogs?
My mistake. Forgive me
I'll find a way to take you all
I was wrong to think only of ourselves
We must all survive. Every one of us
I beg you, come with me to Brazil. Every one of us
What would you use for money?
Besides, the workers may not want to go to Brazil
You're often so selfish
Think of that old man, you were thankful to him
Yet you'd let him come here to die in your place. We can't go with you
I see. I'll try to get another farm
We can live if we work hard. We'll go to the Amazon
Don't you realize that no place on Earth is safe?
Four hundred H-bombs will destroy it. There are more than that now
Hold your stupid tongue
And parrot learning, too
Look at Father
He was serious. He worried about you all
But you're only being selfish
He set fire to his own house
For the insurance? An old story
But he's a queer fish
H-bombs, eh?
What a fool you are to worry about it; let the Prime Minister do that
If you're worried, why don't you move out of Earth?
Psychiatric Department
After all, perhaps it's best for Father
Doctor Harada
How are you? I'm sorry for what happened
You've come to see him?
You see, I have a guilty conscience
I feel that maybe the Court's decision was wrong
Please
It was all our fault
We shouldn't have taken him to court
We should have brought him here
It would have been better, for him, too
Thank you for coming here
Whenever I see this patient...
...I become melancholic
My first experience of it
All lunatics are melancholic
However...
...this patient makes me...
...melancholic
Maybe I'm not sane, although I believe I am
I'm often obliged to wonder:
"Is he a lunatic, or am I the lunatic?"
Come in
I'm Harada
I'm glad you came here
I'm so glad you came
You're completely safe here. Be assured
By the way, what happened to Earth?
Are many people left?
Still many there?
That's bad
I don't like that
They'd better escape soon, or they'll be sorry
Why don't they wake up? They must come here quickly
This planet is safe. They'd better hurry
Isn't it burning?
Earth is burning!
My God, it is burning!
It is burning!
Burning!
At last Earth has gone up in flames