OFFICIAL ENTRY 1959 FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
A SHOCHIKU FILM
THE HUMAN CONDITION
Produced by NINGEN PRODUCTION Developed by SHIGERU WAKATSUKI
Producer - TATSUO HOSO YA Ass't Producer - MASAHARU KOKAJI
Based on the Novel by JUNPEI GOMIKAWA
Screenplay by ZENZO MATSUYAMA and MASAKI KOBAYASHI
Dir. Of Photography - YOSHIO MIYAJIMA Production Design - KAZUE HIRATAKA
Music - CHUJI KINOSHITA Sound Recording - HIDEO NISHIZAKI
Lighting - AKIRA AOMATSU Editing - KEIICHI URAOKA
Sound Technician - TAKESHI KANEKO Ass't Director - KOICHI INAGAKI
Set Design - TAKAMASA KOBAYASHI Set Decoration - SEIJI ISHIKAWA
Production Ass't. - MASAYA ARAKI Ass't Camera - TAKASHI KAWAMATA
Production Manager ZENPEI MORIYAMA
Cast of Part 3
TATSUYA NAKADAI as Kaji
MICHIYO ARATAMA as Michiko
KOKINJI KATSURA - Sasa JUN TATARA - Hino
MICHIO MINAMI - Yoshida KEI SATO - Shinjo KUNIE TANAKA - Obara
RYOHEI UCHIDA KAN YANAGIYA, KENJIRO UEMURA
KANEKO IWASAKI MAYUMI KURATA, TAKETOSHI NAITO
HIDEO KIDOKORO YOSHIAKI AOKI, RO OSE
TAMOTSU TAMURA KOJI ITO, SEN HARA
Cast of Part 4
TATSUYA NAKADAI as Kaji
KEIJI SADA as Kageyama
YUSUKE KAWAZU - Terada SUSUMU FUJITA - Naruto
MINORU CHIAKI - Onodera SHOJI YASUI - Officer Aspirant FUMIO WATANABE - Staff Officer
JUN HAMAMURA, SHOJI KOBAYASHI KEIJIRO MOROZUMI
YOSHIO HAYANO, SHOBUN INOUE SHINJI MAKI, SHOJIRO OGASAWARA
Directed by MASAKI KOBAYASHI
PART 3
- All's in order, sir! - Good.
Attention!
All's in order, sir! - Good.
Salute!
At ease.
JANUARY 23RD - 20:00 HOURS 32° BELOW ZERO
Here he comes.
You recruits are feigning sleep, eh?
You can't rest until I've made my rounds.
All seems to be in order.
Recruits, fall in!
Turn on the light.
Legs apart and grit your teeth.
Idiots!
Did that hurt? - No, sir!
Good.
I'll teach you dogs a lesson!
Fools!
You know what that was for?
What about you?
- I dunno. - What?
I don't know, sir!
You don't?
Well, I'll show you.
It was for this.
Since when do you use the water tank as an ashtray?
Speak up!
The duty officer specifically ordered that those tanks
be kept clean and sanitary.
We received the order.
Who was on duty today? Step forward!
Remove your glasses.
Get up!
Obara refilled the tanks before evening mess.
I removed the ash trays after "lights out."
You're implying that one of your superiors smoked after "lights out"?
Kaji, are you trying to pin blame on a senior serviceman?
No. I only said that Obara showed no neglect.
Watch your language!
Recruit Obara admits his neglect.
Of course. Why didn't you say so?
- I'm very sorry. - You should be.
- I'll be more careful. - It's too late for that!
Owaku, where are you going?
To change the water.
You don't have to do that.
Kaji, you dare talk back to PFC Bannai?
I didn't talk back.
The platoon leader demands discipline!
Who taught you to be insubordinate?
Your friend Shinjo over there?
Logic won't get you anywhere in this army.
Don't try acting big around here just because you went to college.
Any arguments?
PFC Bannai, leave this to me.
Very well.
You, report to me later!
Can't you even see the target?
I can.
Then your heart isn't in it.
Take careful aim.
Imagine it's the enemy out there.
Come on, Obara. Hit it, please!
Draw a bead carefully onto the target
at the bottom of the bull's-eye.
Hold your breath!
Apply pressure on the trigger and squeeze gently.
You idiot!
No luck.
We'll never get to lunch at this rate.
And always because of him!
- It can't be helped. - Shut up, you hick.
That's no excuse.
What's going on over there?
Stop acting like starved mongrels.
Kaji!
Show Obara how to do it.
Yes, sir! Unstack arms.
Show him you can hit the target with eyes closed.
- With eyes closed? - That's right.
With proper posture, you should at least hit the target.
Objective - the target! Position - prone!
Obara, watch how he holds it and squeezes the trigger.
You see, Obara?
Bad eyesight is no excuse. Try again.
Obara, try to relax.
Don't jerk the trigger.
Squeeze down on it. Squeeze it slowly.
Slowly now...
You'd be better off dead!
You're a disgrace to the whole Kwangtung Army!
Obara, listen carefully.
A sense of responsibility is a soldier's life.
A grenade could wipe out your squad because of your missed shot.
Show some responsibility and some shame!
To the target on the double!
Kaji, you go with him.
Bayonet attack!
Charge!
Down!
Obara, stop crying!
Forward!
"At the time, Kaji was trying to save
the lives of innocent Chinese.
This earned him the hatred of the Kenpeitai.
They arrested him and grilled him mercilessly.
If my husband had indeed been guilty,
they would not have released him after just 20 days.
I fervently hope that this unfortunate incident...
will not compromise his position as a member of your unit.
As the wife of a recruit, I address this appeal to you.
The life of a recruit under suspicion
would be a living hell with no salvation. "
Orderly! Where's the orderly?
Entering, sir!
Your orderly, sir!
Call Warrant Officer Hino.
Salute the warrant officer! Present arms!
Eyes front!
PFC Yamazaki now relieved of guard duty, sir.
Good.
Thank you for your work!
Knock it off!
See to your own duties.
Thank you. We're very grateful.
Anything you need washed?
That's all right.
You're a hard worker, Kaji.
I hated laundry duty even more than beatings.
One might hate it, but there's no avoiding it.
You won't be a private forever like me.
You're tops among the recruits.
But don't forget: You're under suspicion.
I know.
They can't afford to have a Red leading the pack.
They're hoping you'll make a misstep.
You and I can't even talk without being watched.
Anything suspicious about Kaji's actions?
Have you received reports to that effect?
I asked if you had.
None, sir, though I have him under surveillance.
What are Sergeant Hashitani's thoughts?
He's giving Kaji special sniper training now, sir.
- He's a good marksman? - An unerring eye, sir.
- And his barracks discipline? - Excellent, sir.
How is he with Shinjo?
They seem close, but -
Seem? You don't know?
They're both blacklisted by the Kenpeitai.
They have no time now to do any plotting.
Why's that?
I've kept Shinjo on constant supply transport and guard duty.
Keep an eye on them.
They'll soon show their true colors.
If they straighten up, they could be our best soldiers.
Attention!
At ease. Listen as you are.
Afternoon training is canceled.
There'll be an arms inspection.
The tiniest speck of dust will not be tolerated.
After dark there'll be sentry training,
followed by attack training at dawn.
What do you think? Like the full schedule?
Owaku, you have a letter.
Kaji.
Obara.
Corporal Shibata. - Salute!
Arms inspection again?
From your wife?
Read it out loud.
No, I save it till I can't bear it any longer.
Oh, well.
You must have a good wife.
I wonder what that wench of mine is up to.
Hey, Obara.
Think things will get better after basic?
It won't be this rough much longer.
I'm getting fed up.
Don't let little things get you down.
Little things, eh?
Bad news from home bothering you?
My mother and wife are fighting as usual.
My wife's threatening to leave home.
Doesn't mean she's leaving you.
You wouldn't understand. You've had all the breaks.
It would leave my aging mother all alone.
Back one and drop the other.
To back 'em both is asking for trouble.
That's the wrong one. Take it out.
You broke it. You weren't paying attention.
You fool! That was mine!
What are you gonna do about it?
I'm not apologizing to the army for you.
That won't fix your rifle, Kubo. Forgive him.
- No, I won't! - Then don't.
You stay out of this.
Everybody here knows you're a Red.
And so?
I'm just saying no one loves a Red.
Hit me.
Hit me all you want.
Attention!
Eyes right!
Front!
- All right, they're ready. - Thank you!
Start distributing.
- Is there a Private Shinjo here? - Yes, one.
Private Shinjo will take two recruits and clean out the latrines.
Good luck.
On whose orders?
Sergeant Soga's.
He sets up the roster for latrine duty too?
Quit your griping, Shinjo.
Is a three-year man too good to clean latrines?
Tell the NCO on duty or Warrant Officer Hino
that I'll do it alone.
I don't need help from any recruits.
Shinjo...
better take somebody along.
It ain't easy cartin' all that shit alone.
Will none of you recruits go with him?
Kaji, why don't you go?
You're another Red shit like him.
Kubo, come with us.
I don't take orders from you.
That's it, fight it out. The liquor will be here soon.
Come on, one more! Get moving.
Recruit Kaji to latrine duty!
Recruit Tanoue to latrine duty!
That's the spirit!
They're giving you and me all the dirty work.
Standing duty the other night,
I suddenly realized how haggard you looked.
You've been on constant duty.
You have stamina, Kaji.
I've about had it.
They're just waiting for me to cave in under the pressure.
Salute!
- All is in order. - Good.
A huddle in the latrine?
A truly stinking discussion.
Sir...
does the company commander approve all duty assignments?
I wouldn't know. Ask WO Hino.
I'll do that.
One more question.
What happens if a soldier refuses an assignment?
When such assignment is unfair, of course.
I suggest you check the Army Penal Code.
Aren't you asking for trouble?
I don't care about going home,
but I do want to get out of here.
What do you mean?
I'm not even sure myself.
To go to some unknown place and get a fresh start.
Someplace where no one knows me.
Is there such a place?
Escaping from here only means immediate recapture.
There's only one other possibility.
Is the border close?
Not far.
But it's all marshland up to the lake.
Get bogged down there and you're finished.
Which would you choose?
The land where people are promised freedom...
or the land where your loving wife awaits you?
I promised my wife we'd start a new life together.
You really believe you'll get back alive?
I don't know...
but I hope so.
A rare Sunday leave
Walking down the boulevard
With her hairdo of a married woman
She led me up the stairs
To a tiny little room
"You're a wisteria dangling above
And I'm a lily below"
Just five minutes
To get back to barracks
"Come on, let me go!"
No time to take a train
No money for a cab
With my legs strong from daily drills
I'll make a run for it
PFC Yoshida!
There's to be a transfer.
A transfer?
They can't toss us out of here after four years' service.
They've already decided who it is.
Who?
Kaji, got a copy of the Penal Code?
Don't let them get to you.
What's the Penal Code for, Shinjo?
What did you tell him just now?
- Nothing. - Nothing?
A senior serviceman addressed you and you didn't reply?
Sir, have I done something wrong?
That's better.
What did you say?
Use your head. We're celebrating today.
A beating could hurt.
I mentioned that he seemed tired and shouldn't be reading.
Hear that?
Telling a three-year man what to do.
So the old veteran Shinjo is tired, eh?
Hey, Shinjo!
Sorry to fatigue you even more, but may I trouble you with a question?
It seems he didn't hear you.
I'll clean out his ears!
A fight means trouble for us both, Yoshida.
I was reading the Penal Code at Sergeant Soga's suggestion
to learn how to refuse an order without being insubordinate.
Attention!
Salute!
At ease.
What happened?
It's Private Shinjo, sir.
He was taken suddenly ill. I put him to bed.
Does a feverish man account for broken bowls?
Pick up these pieces.
Salute!
Cherry tree the color of my lapel
Your blossoms are scattered all over Mount Yoshino
If you're born a man in old Yamato
You must fall like a blossom at the battle front
It's ridiculous for a lady to come out here.
There's no place for you to stay.
What will you do?
I only wanted to see him. I had no other concern.
The next train out is tomorrow afternoon.
Will you sleep outdoors?
Or spend the night walking home?
If you'll only let me see him, I'm willing to walk back.
Recruit Tanoue leaving to polish his boots!
Is Kaji here?
Report to the office.
You have a visitor.
- A visitor? - Who is it?
A dame, no less!
Son of a bitch!
Better hurry up, Kaji, or someone might swipe her.
Don't be bashful.
Better hurry up. I'll finish up for you.
Recruit Kaji reporting to the office!
Make sure you come back.
Damn! Coming all the way out here to get laid!
Permission to enter, sir!
- Yes? - Entering, sir!
Recruit Kaji reporting!
You wanted something?
What did you want?
Recruit Kaji, leaving!
Hold it there.
You're a disgrace to military discipline.
Don't let your wife make you homesick.
You're hereby authorized to spend the night with your wife
within the confines of the company storeroom.
I finally had to come.
It's so far. How did you make it?
I've changed, haven't I?
It must be rough.
I'm used to it now.
But winter makes things tougher.
We went hunting today.
I'll bring some of the meat later.
You haven't lost any weight. I'm relieved.
You've come all this way, and there's so little I can offer you.
I'm just a recruit.
Look at me.
I am.
You mustn't worry.
I'll come through it all right.
How much time did they give us?
Until morning.
Even less than when they shipped me off.
So...
it's all right then?
Entering!
Recruit Sasa with our squad leader's meal!
Ma'am...
Kaji bagged this game for us today.
Eat heartily and enjoy yourselves.
Thanks.
My husband is much indebted to you.
We recruits are all in the same boat.
The army's one helluva place.
But Kaji's a lucky devil.
No other woman would come way out here to see her man.
That's the truth.
There's so little time. I hope it's not too much...
but would you write my wife and tell her
to do like you and come out to see me?
All she does is eat and sleep.
She cares about nothing else.
Tell her that things are rough out here
and to bring lots of gifts for the senior servicemen.
Ride her good!
Recruit Sasa leaving!
Come on. Let's eat.
A rookie allowed to monkey around with his wife!
The army sheds bitter tears!
Kaji, you're a sneaky one,
keeping all the good things for yourself.
I request this favor.
He wants blankets.
Your wife should keep you warm. Aren't your own blankets enough?
They are. I'll make do.
Rolling around on a narrow futon. Curse the blasted luck!
As long as we're alive, we'll be able to meet again.
I came here confident that I'd get to see you.
Even after you left, that Sergeant Watai kept coming by.
Wanted me to let him read your letters.
Nasty man! Maybe he thinks you're planning to desert.
What would you do if I did?
Where would you go?
Across the border.
There's a man in my squad named Shinjo.
After three years, he's still a private.
His brother was arrested for communist leanings.
Even his girlfriend sold him out.
He claims there's a better world beyond that border.
A better world?
Where they treat people like human beings.
And you intend to escape there all by yourself?
You can't run away! Not while you still have me!
The warrant officer said you were a top soldier,
but you're still under suspicion, aren't you?
I won't go. I won't run away.
I'll carry on here.
Please don't run away.
Come back to me.
All is in order!
You are relieved.
Assuming duty.
Forward...
march!
Break step!
Don't forget your promise
to come back alive.
I won't forget.
Aren't you sleepy?
Not a bit.
There wasn't anything else you wished to say?
No.
Even if there were, I couldn't express it in words.
I'm always thinking
I must tell you about this, mustn't forget to tell you that.
Me too.
Thanks for coming to see me.
It's only natural.
Thank you for such a wonderful night.
Don't thank me. There's so little I can do.
Let's hope we never spend such a wretched yet beautiful night again.
Maybe it's because...
you're headed for the front.
Why do you say that?
I just have this strange feeling.
Maybe that's why they let me see you.
No, you must come back to me!
You have to!
Will you grant me one last favor?
Anything. Just ask.
I came here for your sake.
I realize it's cold...
but I'd like you to undress
and stand over by that window.
I must see you... all of you.
I want to burn that image into my mind.
I have nothing to offer you!
Nothing!
Please take me!
Reveille!
What's wrong, Kaji? All worn out?
Bastard!
Come on, Kaji. I'll give you a workout.
I'm not as easy to poke as your wife. Come on!
I'm ready!
Enough!
Well done, Kaji.
PFC Yoshida...
you let this recruit push you around?
Let's have another round like that.
I'm ready!
Don't retreat, Kaji.
Retreat is no way to victory. I'm right here.
Come at me!
What is it?
I can't see you off.
We're leaving on maneuvers.
Be careful on your way back.
Time to part once again.
Thank you for coming.
Hurry and go.
I can't bear it.
Let's not say "good-bye", all right?
A soldier's will before departing should convey his resolution to his family
and inspire them to carry on in a fitting way.
What does a departing soldier's resolution imply? Speak up.
It means to lay down one's life for one's country.
You parrot back the right answer,
but what did you write in your letter?
"Driving you crazy," eh?
"So worried that I could never face death" - was that it?
Coward! I've never seen a worse soldier in ten years of service!
Obara admits his fault, sir.
That's not the answer your commander seeks!
Such effeminate ideas are more harmful than Red propaganda.
Even a Red will fight bravely when the time comes,
but your kind surrenders before fighting.
WO Hino...
see that he writes to his wife again.
Let him reaffirm his resolution.
"Tomie...
your thinking is completely mistaken.
It's the duty of a Japanese wife
to look after her mother-in-law in her husband's absence.
Please consider how your endless complaining
interferes with the performance of my duties.
I'm very busy here.
Your bickering with my mother hinders me in my training.
It's my wish that you look after my mother,
but if you feel this to be impossible,
I must ask you to leave my house. "
Buck up, Obara! We're only halfway there!
Come on! Regulate your breathing!
This march ends your basic training. Don't disgrace the whole squad!
Obara, don't give up!
Come on! Keep going!
Somebody help him with his pack.
What kind of buddies are you?
Very well! I'll help him.
You gonna let that happen?
Can you hold up your heads up if I do?
Lance Corporal, sir!
- I'll help him. - Good! Compassion for a buddy.
But if he still drops out, leave him. A cart will pick him up.
Give me your blanket, pick, shovel, and tent.
You can handle the rest, right?
Sorry, Kaji. Forgive me.
Hurry up!
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.