Let me rest a while.
Your pack is 20 pounds lighter. You don't need a rest!
You go on ahead.
I don't want you dropping out on my account.
Shut up and walk!
Quit now and all you've suffered will have been in vain.
We're almost done with basic. Show some guts for once!
Obara, get up!
Get up, Obara!
It's no use.
Leave me behind. I can't go on.
You'd let my help be for nothing?
Think what the senior soldiers will do to you, you fool!
It's no use.
Then to hell with you!
Be a quitter!
I'm going on!
Hate me all you want. You quit before the fight was over.
But I won't quit!
You hear? I'm going!
A bit fatigued, honorable recruits?
Bastard!
- Back a bit early, aren't you? - Get up!
We've been waiting for you wretched dogs!
All you think about is food!
Stand up!
Stupid dog!
Pull yourself together!
Give 'em a shower!
Worthless scum!
Anyone who rides back on a cart isn't a man!
Don't you dogs have any balls?
If not, we can find a use for you. Right, Obara?
Keep those fingers straight!
Get behind the gun rack and call out for customers.
"Hey, handsome, come on inside."
Go on.
Move it!
Show us how it's done.
The honorable Shosuke Obara What made the man go broke
He loved his morning baths, morning chasers and morning lays
It finally wore the poor man out
Get on with it.
Hey, mister, come in and have some fun.
Absolutely no sex appeal!
Hey, handsome, come on inside.
That's it. Now beckon with your hands.
Say, handsome, come inside.
- Any takers for the lady? - That's one I'd rather not mount.
Here's a customer.
Come on, keep it up!
Come on inside, handsome.
Want me to come in?
I haven't gotten any in a long time.
No objections to me buying this one?
We appreciate the business!
You stinkin' shit!
You dog!
In the infantry, we don't ride home like a bunch of whores!
We walk! You got that?
You should be grateful. We never had it this easy!
You scum!
Worthless shit!
Why don't you go kill yourself?
Just returning the book I borrowed.
Get up!
Mind if I go to the latrine?
Don't be a fool!
You're on duty. You're dead if they catch you.
Say I'm patrolling outside.
Do whatever you want.
We all have to die...
sometime.
Is that a sign that I shouldn't?
Yes! After all, one can die at any time.
Does that give you something to think about?
On your feet!
Attention!
Your morals are putrid!
You're like a bunch of stinking women!
This quitter who committed suicide...
wasn't the only one at fault here.
It proves you're all rotten.
When did I ever train you to be like that?
What about it?
If you feel I didn't train you right, speak up!
All right. Dismissed.
Do we stand guard over the corpse?
He's dead now. He was a human being, after all.
That dog Obara jinxed us to the very end!
Say that again!
What's wrong? Why so worked up?
Will you back me?
Don't do it. They're all on edge over Obara's suicide.
You should have done it yesterday. - Then why did you stop me?
Would you have stood a chance if you'd intervened?
I won't involve you, but I'll see this through.
Sir, I demand that PFC Yoshida be punished.
Demand?
That's no way to address your superiors.
Are you aware of the personal punishment
he inflicted upon Obara yesterday?
I am not.
Not even a private 1st class is authorized
to inflict such personal punishment upon a recruit.
But yesterday -
Hold it there! Only dogs inform on others.
I'm not informing. I'm demanding punishment.
Suicide is contrary to military discipline.
No matter the reason, there's no excuse.
Was Yoshida's action in accord with military discipline?
Forcing a helpless recruit to mimic a common harlot?
Silence!
You dog!
Regardless of what Yoshida did,
this is all pure speculation on your part.
I don't claim it was the only reason...
but it was the final humiliating blow.
Listen carefully.
A false step now could ruin your whole life.
I'm not concerned about myself.
What do you intend to do?
If you fail to adopt appropriate measures, I shall -
Spit it out!
It may be unwise, but there's no other way.
I'll be forced to take action myself.
You plan to make trouble, eh?
A personal feud could mean a stiff term in the guard house.
I won't be there alone.
Sir...
please convey to PFC Yoshida
that he'd better watch out for Kaji.
So you're implying that I indirectly caused my husband's death?
I can't honestly say otherwise.
I understand.
If only I hadn't written that letter.
It sounds cruel, but it's true.
I'm in a similar position.
I let him drop out during our march.
To help him walk would have meant dropping out myself.
If only I had quit with him -
The army recognizes no such reason for shirking one's duty.
When one drops out, what happens to him?
Please ask the warrant officer.
Quitters are the dredges of the military, a disgrace to their company.
Then my husband's suicide has doubled his shame?
I had hoped you'd understand.
Are there special ways of handling men who drop out?
No, nothing specific.
However, their promotions are delayed.
I just can't believe it!
My husband wasn't the type to do such a thing.
There must have been some reason.
Won't you tell me the truth?
A demoralized home front is the main reason.
Good soldiers only come from wholesome families.
I wouldn't probe too deeply.
Please try to see it like this.
A part of Obara died due to your feuding with your mother-in-law.
Another part died when I deserted him.
What was left -
That's enough! You're dismissed.
Recruit Kaji leaving!
Is it true you're contemplating revenge on a superior out of personal enmity?
Answer me!
I have not breached military discipline,
but PFC Yoshida has.
It's unfair to question me first.
You scum!
Is that any way to address the commander?
It's all right. Let him speak.
Go ahead.
He inflicted unauthorized personal punishment of a vile nature
after Obara dropped out from sheer fatigue.
I only ask why this goes unpunished.
- You were given an A in marching? - Yes, sir.
- How were you treated that day? - Very well, sir.
- Did Yoshida harass you? - No, sir.
Would he have if you had dropped out?
I believe so, sir.
- Was Obara the only man punished? - There were three men, sir.
- All by Yoshida? - No, by others too.
Did all three commit suicide?
No, sir.
- Just Obara? - Yes, sir.
Then why do you single out Yoshida?
Because Obara killed himself.
But I'm ready to press charges against the others too.
Silence!
It's clear you're out to get Yoshida and cause disorder in the unit.
Obara's death is merely an excuse.
By blaming a superior for a weak soldier's suicide,
you undermine our finest military traditions.
I do not blame PFC Yoshida alone.
His actions only revealed the absurdity of conditions here.
That's why I demand his punishment.
Obara's death was not caused by domestic troubles.
Then what did cause it?
With your eloquence, I'm sure you can explain.
Tell me.
Answer me!
The basic cause...
is the military itself.
You'd make a good private 1st class if you'd shut up!
Hashitani, teach him a lesson.
That's enough.
I'll warn you again: Personal feuds are forbidden.
Violations will be treated as insubordination.
All right. You may go.
Recruit Kaji leaving!
That one has guts.
His type make good soldiers.
WO Hino, I want him kept on the promotions list.
- Keep him on, sir? - Yes.
Make sure he's well up on the list.
As his stars increase, his ideas will change.
Men are like springs.
The more pressure, the stronger they snap back.
It's best not to drive his kind too hard.
Put him on duty with the vets.
We're headed for the border in a few days anyway.
Thank you for your trying duties.
When did you come out here?
Today. Half the guard's being replaced.
They keeping you out here?
Practically nothing but sentry duty.
That's just like WO Hino.
I admit it's effective.
I've about had it.
It's damn hot. Take care of yourself.
They're wrong if they think they can wear me down.
What's that scoundrel Yoshida up to?
Don't do anything rash.
They're just waiting for an excuse to send you to prison.
So this is the real border!
You gonna try?
You coming along?
To the land of promise?
What'll you do over there?
That depends on them.
You believe unconditionally that true freedom can be found over there?
Not unconditionally. It's all relative.
What use do they have for a deserter?
You'd be a mere tool.
A little tool in the service of their big promises.
You doubt that all races are equal?
I just don't share the same naive certainty.
What have the Japanese done?
Deserting the ranks of the invader
doesn't prove the purity of your ideals.
You're still just a deserter.
What are you trying to say?
Prettier flowers blossoming on their soil...
doesn't justify rejecting your own.
I could never do it.
This is WO Hino! You hear me?
Send Kaji back immediately.
We need him for the intramural shooting match in two days.
Got that? What?
I see.
They may not have plans to desert, but the danger definitely exists.
They were seen whispering together again last night.
Obara's death is shame enough for this company.
Have Shinjo transferred out at the first opportunity.
A signal flare!
It's close by!
Not that close.
Yes, it is.
Let's pick up a few merit points. Come on.
I don't see anything.
You sure?
Might be farther away.
Damn!
Who goes there?
Stop or I'll shoot!
He was fishing. You scared him and he ran off.
Does that prove he's innocent?
Son of a bitch!
You shot off that flare! Confess!
I didn't! I was just out fishing!
Please spare us! He was really just fishing.
Shinjo, don't just stand there. Take him to the guard post.
But if he's not the culprit -
Fool!
We'll make him the culprit.
That's ridiculous!
Do as I order you!
Forgive us!
Spare us!
What are you doing?
No, don't! No!
Thanks for your troubles!
Kaji!
- There's mail from your wife. - You've lost weight!
Have I?
I'm being sent out next week. Was it rough?
Generally it shouldn't be too bad.
Three letters in three weeks.
Oh, and...
Obara's widow sent a letter to the entire squad.
What did she write?
She apologized for everything.
She also says the dead have no tongue,
and she can't find out the truth about Obara's suicide. Right?
What's that scoundrel Yoshida doing?
Five men for work duty!
At the storeroom.
One, two, three, four - still one short!
Kaji?
Obara would have made it five, PFC Yoshida!
Yoshida!
Shinjo's been called up before WO Hino for letting a spy escape.
Long time no see, Kaji. You know your buddy's going to prison?
You're a disgrace to the Imperial Army!
Bannai shot the culprit anyway, so I'll let you off with the guard house.
I knew you'd end up there sooner or later.
Fire call!
Prairie fire!
Let's go!
Fan out to the right!
Move back to the left flank!
What the hell are you doing?
Move forward!
Careful, sir!
Hold your ground! Move forward!
Start a backfire!
Retreat! Everyone retreat!
Fall back!
Retreat!
Fall back!
Form a fire line where you are!
Stop!
Who's that?
Shinjo.
Deserter!
Sir, a deserter!
It's Shinjo, sir!
Cut that grass!
Kaji, wait!
It's too dangerous! Stop!
Shinjo!
Shinjo, run for it!
Help me, Kaji!
Help me!
Yoshida, I'll save you if you'll make me a promise.
Can you hear me?
Admit to the CO that you made Obara commit suicide.
Can you hear me?
You're a lucky man.
You probably remember nothing. We've shot you full of camphor.
I'm afraid it was too late for the other man.
He had hemorrhagic fever.
You were talking in your sleep,
calling for Shinjo and a Michiko.
Your sweetheart? Or your wife?
Both.
Who's been changing my bedpan?
Don't worry about that.
Just try to rest.
- Private Ishii? - Yes.
- How many years of service? - Three.
Well, you're not getting away with it!
Hey, medic...
didn't you ever learn how to treat patients?
How long have you been in?
Three years, and still a private.
You may be a lance corporal, but don't try pulling rank.
What?
The slob took sputum from a TB patient to get shipped out.
Punishment should be per regulations.
We don't need people shouting in the middle of the night here.
Private Tange, eh?
Very well. We'll see who has the last laugh.
PRIVATE TANGE
Don't overexert yourself.
They'll have you up and working soon anyway.
No point rushing things.
Patients get work detail too?
A rookie, eh?
Have a seat.
What was your profession, Honorable Veteran?
Forget the "honorable veteran" stuff.
I was a latheman,
and a good one.
Weren't you guys exempted from service?
There are some guys it's safer to keep in the army.
Is that right?
Yes, it is.
You there!
Since when did you start walking?
No one does anything here without authorization.
I'm practicing my walking, nurse.
Hon. Head Nurse!
Sorry, Hon. Head Nurse! I was practicing walking.
What's so funny?
Lance Cpl. Minakami...
this ward lacks discipline.
Army hospitals aren't playgrounds.
Tighten things up!
Try that again and you've had it.
They say Roosevelt's in Russia talking to Stalin.
If Germany surrenders, that leaves only Japan.
Yes, the end is drawing near.
But if the Russians enter the war -
Kaji.
Private Tange's being sent back to his unit.
When?
Tomorrow.
That's terrible.
It's bad news, isn't it?
Sent back to his unit, eh?
No one can ever know what will happen tomorrow.
Your unit's been ordered to the front.
They'll probably keep you here on hospital duty.
Really?
Even in here, there's always more bad news than good.
There was so much I wanted to discuss with you.
We'll meet again somewhere.
You can always meet those you really wish to.
Someone once told me
that true human beings will always find kindred spirits.
You're proof of that.
Don't give me too much credit.
But I appreciate your words.
More work for you.
Writing to your wife?
But I don't dare write the truth.
Because of the censors?
Not just that.
Everything I write ends up as a half-truth.
I want her to know how lonely I am,
but I don't want to worry her.
What's more, as much as I detest army life,
I actually want to stay here as long as I can.
Is it that nice here?
There are things here you don't get at the front.
For instance?
For instance...
talking to you.
And now... stay back. The steam is hot.
Is it all right for you to be here?
I probably shouldn't be.
Nurse Tokunaga, why did you leave your post?
What's the meaning of this misconduct?
A rendezvous in broad daylight - while on duty!
Rendezvous?
Forgive me, but there's been no misconduct.
I asked Nurse Tokunaga to assist me.
A patient issuing orders to a nurse?
That's as bad as a rendezvous!
Hon. Head Nurse, I came of my own accord.
No excuses!
Get back to your post!
As you are outside my authority, I shall report this to your superiors.
It seems I repaid your kindness with injury.
You're being sent to the front because of me.
It's all right.
We had to part sooner or later.
We may even meet again somewhere.
I believe we will, whatever the odds.
You can always meet those you really wish to.