Terada, I just had an idea.
Starting tomorrow, pretend you're sick and stay behind.
After we leave for work,
rummage through their garbage heaps.
Potato peels, scraps of carrot -
salvage anything edible.
We'll add it to our rations.
Otherwise we'll starve...
and I refuse to die like this!
FIGHT ON FOR COMMUNISM!
Back to work! On your feet!
We can't work unless they feed us.
Stop your grumbling!
Come on, boys! Our presence is requested!
What are you doing?
Making clothes out of these sacks.
What if the Russians catch you?
With that nice uniform, you don't need these,
but we fought in these same clothes last summer.
Just shut up and put them back.
It's just gunnysacks, but it's still their property,
and it's a disgrace to the Japanese people!
Leave me alone.
The waters will be freezing soon.
I'm wearing these gunnysacks...
unless someone provides winter clothing.
I know rummaging for garbage must be rough.
Only washing the stuff, now that the water's so cold.
But then I feel better, knowing we'll all live another day.
When you hear them singing,
you get the feeling they're good men.
They must have something to sing for.
Outside the army, I mean.
When I joined up, I was so ignorant.
You once said to me,
"You're a fool"
and "Dying in battle is a dog's death."
Remember?
It was true.
We walked a long way.
I didn't expect to end up like this.
But it's all right.
I see now how important it is to go on living.
My life is just beginning.
There's no sinking any lower.
We can only go up from here.
Jerks on kitchen duty usually go on about dames.
You don't hear much philosophizing.
Then you can stay behind and I'll go on work detail!
Ignore him.
He has the bad habit of sneering at anyone
who talks about anything serious.
I was hoping we'd meet again.
I can't say the same.
Are thieving rapists allowed to run around free in here?
I was taken prisoner after that incident, thanks to you.
But I used my brains.
I'm one of the "active elements" here.
Me, old Kirihara!
Where are Hikita and Fukumoto?
Shipped out to Siberia.
I'll be keeping my eyes open around here.
Can't allow any violations, you know.
Kaji...
it's my turn now.
I have to survive
to see that bastard unmasked.
If I talked down to you before, I'll correct that.
It had become a habit.
But the world's going "democratic" now, and I have to adapt.
You're a good worker,
but is it true you've planted a saboteur among us?
He's not a saboteur. He's sick.
And it wasn't intentional, but inevitable.
Well, I can't allow it.
The Red officers are angry.
Not that the other groups are all copying you,
but they're planting saboteurs too.
That's how the Reds see it.
If this easy work detail produces saboteurs,
they threaten to send us to north Siberia,
and no one ever returns from there.
That's how it is. What do you think?
I don't think anything. Why exactly was I called here?
We want you to stop the sabotage.
You can live well on your officer rations,
but we have no alternative but to protect ourselves.
For now the Soviets grant you the privileges of military rank.
If you'll see to it that we can work without fear or concern,
I'll gladly change my ideas.
I'm a prisoner myself.
You enjoy defying your former officers. Those gunnysacks, for example.
It's not enjoyment. It's necessity.
Then you refuse to stop this sabotage, even if I ask?
I must refuse.
It may not be right, but I cannot stop it.
This insubordination will not be tolerated!
Major objectives sometimes call for minor sacrifices.
I may be forced to hand you over to the Reds.
Do what you will, Noge-san.
I have faith in the future of socialism,
and in my countrymen.
I will continue to work,
but I must also preserve the strength of those around me.
That's how it is.
That kind of element will bring trouble in the future.
We must deal with him now.
How'd your talk with Noge go?
Keep pushing it and they'll take us off this light work detail.
You never do any work anyway.
It's guys like you who undermine my argument with Noge.
Finally showing signs of wear and tear, eh?
You're a good fellow, but stupid.
Living right doesn't necessarily mean living seriously.
Chaotic times call for chaotic living.
Your naïveté brings tears to my eyes.
They say even a thief has his reasons.
Son of a bitch!
I'll show you what real labor means!
Son of a bitch!
Constant loafing has made you soft.
Stop that!
Stop it!
Enough!
Whatever this man did, that's going too far!
How can you stand there laughing?
Such brutality will not be tolerated again!
Rest quietly, or you'll end up like that too.
I won't die.
Not after making it this far.
We've been through worse than this.
Be quiet and rest.
Get a fire going in here.
Minagawa!
Is Minagawa the interpreter around?
Sorry, but one of my men needs a sickbed.
They're all taken.
They're even discharging patients who are still sick.
Then can you get him some aspirin?
That's only for inpatients.
Then I'll go ask myself. Will you interpret?
Listen, I'm busy.
I can't be running around for one patient.
You know, you'd better start showing up for work.
I can't stick up for you much longer.
I'm suspected of something again?
It's not just you.
The Soviet officers are angry.
They're cracking down on reactionary elements.
"Private first class, 21 months of service.
Previous employment: Labor supervisor."
So you helped exploit workers, eh?
Yes...
it seems so.
What did he say?
It doesn't concern this interrogation.
This is not a court. I will not pronounce sentence.
But we cannot allow resistance and sabotage by prisoners.
You will be assigned to a detail pulling up railroad tracks.
There are no camps nor fenced enclosures...
but you cannot escape or resist.
If you try, you will starve to death.
You're getting hard labor as punishment for sabotage.
If you resist or attempt escape,
you will starve to death.
That's ridiculous!
I don't mind hard labor, but can't we talk like human beings?
Let me tell my side.
Tell him that.
What's he saying?
He says
that what you say is ridiculous...
and stupid.
Son of a bitch!
Fascist Jap!
What did he say?
Ah, it's you!
Wait a minute.
I've seen you somewhere before.
Yes, it's you! The samurai scoundrel!
I'd expect something like this from you!
Nazi dogs are the worst scum in the world...
and then come Japanese like you!
Forgive my delay. It was a lengthy meeting.
What's wrong, Captain Sverdlov? You look angry.
I've never seen such a notorious fascist!
This saboteur takes us for fools, Comrade Chapayev!
- He called us stupid, Comrade Chapayev. - No!
This one he addresses as "comrade"
must be a true party member.
If only I could speak their language!
That fool Minagawa!
There's so much to tell you.
It would take me all night.
But...
I wonder if you'd understand.
Explain your reasons for the sabotage.
And leave out all the fancy talk!
I survived the battle and tried to escape.
I hoped to find proof here that I was wrong to run.
But now I see that that was an idealistic miscalculation.
Russia's needs and its historical mission
lead it to destroy human lives and then justify doing so.
Just or not, the sacrificed individuals suffer.
They must protect themselves, but it looks like resistance.
What other way is there?
After the war ended,
did you ever harm any of our men?
I did.
Did you also harm any Chinese?
I did.
That is sufficient to declare you a war criminal.
I could have denied it. You have no evidence!
Meanwhile you deny that your own troops
committed rape and pillage against the Japanese...
even though it would not harm the prestige of the Red Army.
I at least admit my faults so that I may point out yours.
I don't know whether Kirihara or Noge turned me in,
and it doesn't matter.
What matters is that you use such men to censure me
for saving my men's lives by sifting through your garbage heap.
In your urgency, supervision grows slack.
You stick to inflexible rules.
Good intentions are suppressed, and evil is tolerated.
The fact that socialism is better than fascism
is not enough to keep us alive!
Stand up.
You're very excited and worked up.
Things don't always run smoothly here.
Your main complaint
is that we organize our work here
without considering your position, correct?
Given more time,
a democratic movement will develop among you
and all will progress smoothly.
You must wait and not resort to your own methods.
You admit to sabotage.
We cannot openly condone such acts.
The commander has decided to send you and your accomplices
to work on the forest railroad.
It's only for one week. You must submit.
Anything else to say?
If possible, I'd like some aspirin or something.
He wants medicine.
He says his friend is sick.
We'll have something for you tomorrow.
You'll come back, won't you?
Didn't you say your life was just beginning?
If you're not well when I get back,
you're just a weakling.
Look after Terada, okay?
Going away, huh?
Will you do something for me?
What?
It's Terada.
You wanted revenge on me.
You got it.
Terada's sleeping now. See that he gets food.
That should be no problem for "Comrade Kirihara."
Trying to butter me up, eh?
You squealed on Noge and me in your interrogation,
but they took no notice, eh?
That's all right.
Now you'll be sleeping out in the cold.
Think about the price you're paying for driving me out once.
Here, take some.
Don't think you've won!
Kaji!
Is that you?
Tange!
It was a mistake to escape and walk all that way,
and another mistake to get caught.
I'm considering making one further mistake.
Sure you can pull it off?
Not really.
You'll be captured or killed, or you'll freeze to death.
It's not like you to trust in luck.
It's strange you should fear Siberia.
If you can't survive it, no one can.
They can send us to Siberia and work us to death.
But take down the "peace" and "liberation" signs. Listen to me.
Exploit our labor and then try to reeducate us -
that shouldn't be the Soviet way.
I'm not complaining about too much work.
I can even understand the short rations.
Their guards even sleep on the ground like us.
What I'm saying...
is that most POWs are not enemies in the class struggle.
How they treat the men seems lacking in some ways,
excessive in others.
Excessive in what way?
Maybe I'm wrong...
but they seem smug and selfish to me.
That can't be helped.
The present stage calls for a Soviet-first policy.
Really?
It can't be helped?
Is that the universal solution to human dilemmas: "It can't be helped"?
History will correct that...
not you or me.
Well, I'm fed up!
If they ship me to Siberia, I'll stake my life on stressing that point.
Terada!
Wake up!
I warned him repeatedly,
but his fever was down and he got out of bed.
He insisted on going out for more scraps.
His luck ran out when Kirihara caught him.
He was beaten severely and given latrine duty.
We carried him, limp and covered with shit,
to the infirmary...
but it was too late.
I heard he died repeating your name.
You may not believe me, but I took the case to Noge.
The bastard wouldn't listen.
Do the guards know?
Yes, but they say it wasn't a crime.
No direct evidence.
Tange...
I've changed my mind.
I'm breaking out tonight. Don't try to stop me.
I know it's a mistake, but I'm going.
Chapayev wants to see you about me.
At this hour?
I requested that we have it out.
Afraid?
Don't be stupid!
We'll need Minagawa.
No need. One of them can understand us.
You coming?
Or will you apologize?
You're a pest.
Good riddance, shipping you off to Siberia.
This way.
Son of a bitch!
Get up!
I'll let you have it until you do!
Stop it, please!
Please! I apologize!
That's what I've been waiting to hear!
Bastard!
Die! Worthless scum like you deserve to die!
It takes too long to do away with bastards like you!
Meanwhile, good men suffer and die!
Die!
Come on!
Step up!
Keep moving!
All right.
What's wrong, you stinky devil?
Kaji-san!
Terada, is that you?
Are you still following me?
Don't, Terada.
If you keep dogging my heels,
you'll never become a man.
No... you're already a fine young man.
You can go anywhere.
I'm still walking on.
If I lose my way, please guide me.
You're a man now. Please guide me.
I'm not mistaken, am I?
No, I'm not!
Tange's now off in Siberia.
That rascal...
probably both despises and envies me.
Michiko.
Let them laugh. Let them try to stop me.
I'm coming back to you.
I'm still walking on.
I'll beg for food at that village
and then continue on to you.
Get lost, beggar!
Are you deaf?
Get out of here!
Thieving dog! I'll kill you!
Thief!
This one's Japanese!
Look, a Japanese devil!
Michiko, forgive me.
I've come as far as I can.
Michiko, look. I've come this far.
I'm going to save this for you.
I'm bringing this dumpling to you.
It's my only gift.
After over 700 days away from you,
it's all I have to bring you.
I had to kill many men...
to continue my journey back to you.
I killed many men.
Don't hate me for it!
I'm coming home to you.
Even now I keep walking toward you.
Michiko, do you still await my return?
I'm so happy!
No matter what they said, I knew you'd return.
Your beard's tickling me!
You must shave it off...
and take a bath.
No, you can eat after that.
I never stopped believing.
I knew you'd come back.
I was positive you'd return.
In your arms...
I seem to melt away.
Wait for me, Michiko! It won't be long now!
I've come this far. It won't be much longer.
I faced so many trials along the way,
but that's all over now.
Tonight I'll see your face,
hear your voice, touch your hands,
and my memories will bring back all that we've lost.
It's not far now.
Let me rest just five minutes.
Then I'll continue on to you, no matter what.
In the end we never had to say farewell.
Tonight our life together will begin anew.
Michiko, I'm home at last!
I'm with you at last!
THE END