This film has 2 versions. B&W (original) and colour.
This is the B&W version.
Based on Days of the Little Rascals by Haruo Sato
Screenplay by Nobuo Yamada
A Film by Nobuhiko Obayashi
TO THE FIELDS, TO THE HILLS, TO THE BEACHES
Executive Producers Shiro Sasaki, Kyoko Obayashi
Produced by Shinji Hatakoshi, Itaru Mizoguchi
Associate Producers: Michio Morioka, Muneyoshi Yokoyama, Umeo Ito
Photographed by Yoshitaka Sakamoto
Art Director Kazuo Satsuya
Edited by Nobuhiko Obayashi
Music by Nobuhiko Obayashi
Starring
Isako Washio (Debut)
Yasufumi Hayashi Junichiro Katagiri
Aiko Shori Toshinori Omi
Koichi Sato Riki Takeuchi
Jo Shishido Akira Emoto
Akira Sakada Kazuko Yoshiyuki
Tomokazu Miura
Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi
Japan, the Japanese too, had been little rascals.
The war is also a little rascal.
CHAPTER ONE The New Boy
KEIJO 1st PRIMARY SCHOOL
Kid.
Be careful.
At the surrender of Port Arthur,
the enemy General Stoessel...
Oh my, oh my...
Meets our General Noki...
That woman...
There's no female teacher at our school.
Sudo!
Bon, stop it.
Give him back the binoculars.
She's too young for a woman,
too old for a girl.
Thank you very much.
Today,
you will have a new friend.
He's Sakae Osugi,
a lively boy.
His dream is to be a navy admiral.
He went to Keijo 2nd Primary School,
he'll now study here.
Treat him as your equal.
Study and play with him.
I'm now asking on his behalf.
I'm Osugi.
Take the seat at the back.
The monkey boss is threatening.
He screams at everyone.
Bastard!
Flowers of the garden
Humming of insects too
They get...
so lonely
Oh, white chrysanthemum
Osugi.
The one who came with you,
is that your mom?
Idiot.
Idiot?
She's too young!
Your elder sister?
Sort of.
- Sort of? - Leave me alone.
It's a spring morning
The reeds by the river
The crab leaves the store and goes to the barber
Cut and cut...
That's bad!
Complain to him.
Take it.
He's good.
- It hurts! - Hey guys,
let's give him a lesson!
Mt. Hakone is the steepest mountain
Kankoku Pass is just nothing
He's from the new land.
He's been bullying us.
He took my toy during spring break.
They hated him at 2nd school.
That's why he came here.
Fatty, tell him to come here after school.
Me? Kiddo, you go.
Coward! I'll go.
Tens of thousands of enemies, so what?
Bad boy! Bad boy!
Ugly girl!
Teacher! Osugi looked at Mizue's ass!
What! He looked at her ass!
Yes!
What?
He looked at Mizue's ass?
Bastard!
Teacher, there!
Let me pass!
Teacher, there!
Sudo, get everybody out.
Yes!
Get out!
Sexual impulse of a young monkey.
Mizue,
do you think he did it on purpose,
or just by accident?
Osugi.
You did it on purpose, or by accident?
Accident!
The lock of the toilet door is broken.
It's a lie! Liar!
Pervert! Apologize!
Die!
Osugi, tell me the truth!
Teacher.
I don't lie.
That's why I won't take their lies!
Liar! Not a human!
Not a human! Not a human!
Quiet!
I believe him.
I don't believe your accusations.
Time will tell if he's telling the truth.
Don't make hasty judgments.
COME TO THE IRON BARS AFTER SCHOOL
Let's start our afternoon lesson.
Monkeys fighting to be boss.
There can only be one boss.
They have to fight it out.
Mt. Hakone is the steepest mountain
Kankoku Pass is just nothing
Goodbye.
Do it!
Bastard! Do you yield?
Bastard!
They met at Port Arthur...
Life is short
Girl, fall in love
Teacher!
What is it, Sudo?
They're beating Osugi to death!
What!
I yield!
- Do you yield? - I yield!
Take this! Take this! Take this!
Stop it! All of you!
Run! All of you!
- Run! - Stop here!
Stop here!
Mr. Kawakita, get a grip!
Are you OK?
You're too smart!
- Let me go! - I was going to get them all!
You got in my way!
Stop!
It hurts!
It burns!
- Young master. - Good afternoon.
Welcome home.
Stop!
Bad boy!
Go away!
Stop!
Young master.
Hey, hey, hey! Thief!
- Good afternoon. - Young master.
- Let me pass. - Yes.
Bad boy!
Get out of the way!
Out!
Coward!
Bastard!
I'm home.
- You're home. - You're home.
Your snacks are in your room.
Yes! Thanks!
- Welcome. - Welcome.
Thanks for inviting me.
Tens of thousands of enemies So what?
They're all weaklings
They ganged up on us So what?
Justice is on our side
Mt. Hakone is the steepest mountain
- Please! - What?
- Wait until I get the water home. - No!
Mom told me to!
- So what? - It hurts! Bastard!
You!
- Do you yield? - Yes!
Tell your boss, the barber's kid...
to come to the haunted spot tomorrow.
Cut it gracefully
Melting the soap
The barber is cutting hair with pride
Cut, cut, cut
Don't cry! Get even!
The ear that gets in the way
Pull it up and down
Bastard! We'll get even tomorrow!
It hurts! Bad boy!
Cut, cut, cut
You're home.
Sakae.
I got the water.
You did, Osho?
It's my job to get water.
Your foot!
Come.
Who did you fight?
Friends at school?
You're 2 years older than your classmates.
Study hard, Sakae.
Get into naval academy and be an admiral.
Please. Don't hit me.
Our Japanese Empire...
has tolerated them too long.
I think we've had enough.
When the time comes, we'll start a war,
and crush our enemies.
The monkey army expanding their territory.
To do this, we should enforce a general conscription.
If necessary, students should stop studying.
If they have 1 million troops, we'll be 2 million strong.
If they have 2 million, we'll be 3 million.
For our final victory, every single enemy should be killed.
No pity at war!
Who's there!
- If you go, I'll kill you! - No!
Please stop!
Who's there!
Let go!
- Just a rat! - Of course not!
Let go! Let go!
No pity at war!
Who's there!
If you go, I'll kill you!
Flowers of the garden
Humming of the insects too
They get...
so lonely
Oh! White chrysanthemum
Oh! A shooting star.
Stop!
Who's there?
- River! - Water!
Oyama, welcome.
Having a fight?
Tomorrow.
I'm expecting it.
Come on!
Some water please.
- What are you doing! - Not that way!
- Why? - Don't ask!
- Tell me why! - No!
One's chastity...
is like this
Head!
The enemy General Stoessel...
Looks very strange.
There's no one at the iron bars.
In my estimation,
blood should be flowing...
It's her!
- He's here! - Is he alone?
Mt. Hakone is the steepest mountain
Kankaku Pass is nothing
Do it!
Mr. Kawakita is coming!
The headmaster too!
- The headmaster too! - Liar!
Run now!
Good job.
Thanks to you, no one gets hurt.
Actually I knew it too.
I went to Mr. Kawakita,
but you'll all be punished.
So I came to stop you myself, although I was scared.
Well...
the chickens too?
Yes. To help you, I threw stones too.
What's your name?
Tell me.
Sudo.
Sotaro Sudo.
A good name.
Give me your hand, Sudo.
Let's go over there to talk.
Sudo, you're cute. Like a baby.
My brother...
gets violent these days.
I'm worried.
Is there a reason?
- Yes. - What?
I somehow understand his feelings...
but is there a good way to deal with it?
What do you think?
I thought about it...
Let's play a war game.
My version is not the usual one.
Both sides can attack and defend in turn.
But no weapons.
There will be rules. Offenders will be...
Hey...
Sudo, thank you then!
That means...
This guy!
Bastard! Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!
Small animals feigning death when attacked.
In misty rain,
I went pass villages
My bosses are so...
wicked
If you become a raftsman,
you'll get a lover
Late cherry blossoms, early red leaves
And then I feel...
so full of spirit
I saw a shooting star last night.
Shooting star?
There will be war.
You'll be a soldier.
Bastard! Osho is a fool! Fool!
Bastard! It's a war!
CHAPTER TWO War of the Little Rascals
"Have Fun. It's the Summer Vacation." "It's easy to get old but hard to learn."
The war game I told Osho... "Have Fun. It's the Summer Vacation." "It's easy to get old but hard to learn."
it's about to start. "Have Fun. It's the Summer Vacation." "It's easy to get old but hard to learn."
it's about to start.
Today, Osugi, general of the East Army,
and Bon, general of the West Army,
will hear my rules of the war game.
If I meet and see her,
I'll forget the fear
The dark path at night
If you're a man, get up.
Yes!
Your hand.
I came to meet her,
why wasn't she there?
I got some rations of chocolate and bread.
I'm bringing it to you.
Please.
Thank you.
Sudo got wounded fighting the thunder.
- Treat him. - Yes.
Sorry I'm late.
We're fighting injustice for God
We're faithful and brave
We're seen off by cheers
We won't go home until we win
We swear it!
We'll hide in the grass We'll hide in the water
We're fearless scouts...
searching for information...
GENERAL CONSCRIPTION ENFORCED
Sudo.
Why are you so dirty?
You're late. Give me that.
I'm washing you. Stand still.
I should put something on.
You'll catch a cold if you don't get dry.
But I...
Don't be rude to me!
If you understand, say yes!
Yes.
- I can't hear you! - Yes!
Attention!
Cute!
Your hand.
Your wrist.
Your back.
This side.
Now your head.
What are you doing! Take this off!
No!
It hurts!
Bastard! It hurts!
You bit me!
- Come on! - Wanna fight?
No fighting!
You're having a war game, right?
I'll be the sister of the one who wins like a man.
Sudo, remember this.
I'll capture you first and get Osho back!
I have a good strategy.
The mud trap.
Mud trap?
I'll capture you,
and make Osho mine!
I'll also fight for Osho!
This is our war declaration!
Attack!
Enfuku Temple serves as the East Army's castle.
Most of the parents of our school go to that temple a lot.
Watermelon!
Sacred service goes on as usual.
- Don't! - I want to eat!
I won't let you!
- Attack! - Salute!
Io Temple, West Army's castle.
It's the temple of most of the parents of the 1st school.
Therefore, our war is also a religious war.
Don't eat the buns!
Hey you!
That way! Hurry!
The captain wears a red armband.
A captured captain...
is equal to 5 captured soldiers.
Just two! Get them!
- Come on! - Come on!
- Get off me! - It hurts!
- You too! - Come on!
- You can't get me! - I will!
- You won't! - Hold it!
Don't move.
Keep still.
It's going.
- Go on! - No!
- Go away! - No!
- Go away! - Help!
Do you yield?
- I yield! - I yield!
I yield!
The one who yields, loses.
He's captured.
The side with the most prisoners wins.
Banzai! Banzai!
Banzai!
Kiddo, don't cry.
We'll save you.
Now the mud trap.
Yes!
The enemy's attacking.
How many?
Sudo, Slowy, Skinny, Monkey, Fatty.
Their general?
Eating watermelon.
Bastard! Fool!
If a general doesn't leave his castle,
the other general must stay put.
I made up this rule...
to pin down the strong Osugi.
Oyama, catch Sudo for me.
They can't fight without him.
Agree.
Really?
He's there!
Shiny, shiny.
You all right?
Shiny, shiny.
Where is it coming from?
Shiny, shiny.
Captain, let's go back.
A trap?
- He's OK now. - Good.
- Bye. - Bye.
Wanna fight?
- There! - There! - There! - There!
This way!
- Here! - Here! - Here! - Here!
Good afternoon.
Oh, the doctor's son!
My mom will come soon. She'll pay you.
OK.
- Hi, young master. - Good afternoon.
Welcome. Come this way.
There!
Pervert!
It hurts!
- Stop! - Stop!
Now!
Get drowned!
Do you yield?
Mud!
I yield!
I swear to myself,
"I won't go home unless I win this war!"
"If I don't achieve something, I might as well die!"
Every time I hear the bugle...
What! Say it again!
Say it!
Teacher.
Shut up!
Hey!
Say it in front of all!
Let's go.
He said he's against the war!
What?
He said we should stop the war!
- He's a traitor! - Yes!
Get him!
Osugi, don't!
Mr. Kawakita, please stop them!
Teacher!
He took my dream girl!
Get him!
Woman, get away!
Sakae, help!
Sakae, stop!
Sakae!
I admire your pacifism.
But...
peace...
is not enough to bring happiness to us Japanese.
We're a very poor people.
You too.
Hard work won't bring a full meal.
Not just you.
To live,
many families have to sell their daughters.
How about that?
To get rid of that misery,
and to make Japan rich, what should be done?
That's why,
to get petrol, coal and steel,
we have to go outside Japan for new land with resources.
- Well... - To do this,
we have to send armies abroad.
If our opponents want it,
we have to fight them.
Japan has reached this stage now.
- Well... - The advanced European countries...
all got rich by this method.
- Sotaro. - Yes.
Did the school teach you that?
No.
You'll get well in 2, 3 days.
I'm a teacher,
but I did stupid things.
I can't face my pupils!
Sorry!
Come.
We exchange prisoners today.
If we don't do this, we won't have enough soldiers.
We can't fight.
Right now, the advantage...
is on our side, the West Army.
Bastard! Wanna fight?
Bastard!
Stop it! All of you!
Stop throwing stones! Obey the rules!
Stop it! Stop!
Stop it! Please stop!
Mom! Mom!
It hurts! Hurts a lot!
I swear to myself...
Next.
I won't go home unless I win this war!
Too bad.
The front, I don't care.
How come a Japanese man got wounded in the back!
Sorry.
Next.
Kids' war game is like grown-ups' war.
You start it by yourselves,
but then the war takes control of human beings.
Then you become an uncontrollable ghost.
Wars drag human beings around.
Your war game turned out that way too.
Osugi and Sudo.
Make a peace treaty.
Bon, soup for you.
- Thank you. - That's OK.
Well then, think about it.
I wish I got a head wound too.
Sudo, what to do?
I can stop.
No.
We all say we hate this war.
We started the war, you and me.
Yes.
We'll fight one on one.
One on one?
I'm a man too.
I'll fight the war I started.
Osho is our judge.
Osho's watching, so I can't lose.
If you fall into the water, you lose.
I chose to fight in the water.
My body's smaller.
This is better than fighting on land.
Osho, stop it!
Go back!
Osho, stop it!
Go back!
Osho, you're a fool!
Stupid!
The duel's over.
Sudo, wait!
Draft notice?
If he gets this notice,
a Japanese man has to become a soldier.
This is the times.
When are you going?
When?
In five days.
In five days?
Don't be a soldier.
Don't!
- Wait here! - No!
Wait!
No! No!
- Wait! - No!
- Wait! - Let go!
- Do you yield? - I bite you!
It hurts! Hey!
I'm sorry he beat you up.
It's my fault too. I was the judge.
Yes!
Sorry.
Don't apologize.
Really?
We don't have the same mother.
My mother is called Peony.
Strange name, right?
She was a Shikoku geisha. She's dead.
His mother is called Sato.
She's the second concubine.
Our father is working on the ship Shoeimaru.
You've seen it before?
At the harbour.
An old ship.
It is.
Sorry.
Sakae was neglected for 2 years.
So he started school 2 years late.
And he's 2 years older than you.
Really?
That's why he's taller.
He studies very hard and wants to go to military school.
But he won't ever have a chance.
Why?
Concubine's son.
He says he wants to marry me.
Marry you?
But it's impossible.
That's why he gets violent.
I like you.
Very much.
Even if you wait, you won't get older than me.
I'm so sad for that.
Thanks.
Mr. Kawakita told us...
to draw the town map.
That's our punishment for the duel.
Katyusha is cute
So sad to let her go
At least before...
the snow melts,
I'll make a wish to God
- Who's that? - Bastard!
- As I thought! - Don't go in there!
I said no!
Who is she?
My mom.
Your mother?
You go to the fields,
to the hills,
to the beaches...
to put down flowers...
Boss, that's too bad!
Taking advantage of me!
Pay some more!
Ask your man about the money.
I wouldn't come here if I did!
My daughter is the prettiest in this town.
To sell her...
to a brothel, you've got to pay more.
Brothel?
I know Osho's the prettiest.
But we're in a recession.
Too many girls in Shikoku brothels.
If you're not happy, then sell Shoeimaru...
and give me back my money.
It'd be the end of our shipping agency.
I can't help it. Just because your man likes to gamble.
His daughter could pay for his mistakes.
That's too good for both of you!
SHIPPING AGENCY
Dad! Where are you?
You want to sell Osho! You're not human beings!
Hey! Where are you going!
It's not a playground. Go home.
Go home.
Hey! Hey!
SHOEIMARU
Birds twittering...
from the sky
Waterfall rushing...
from the hill
What's the matter!
It's too much!
It's about Osho.
She's only 14!
I'll quit school and work. Don't sell her!
Go home!
Wait!
Too late!
She'll go to Shikoku in 3 days.
I've got the money.
Just give it back!
Money?
I've paid my debts.
Big waves Small waves
I beg you.
I beg you! Dad!
The sea rustling...
endlessly
It's here!
You're a raftsman too?
You're a friend of this dead soldier?
You'll be drafted in 3 days.
In the battlefield,
kill every enemy you can and avenge your friend.
Be a Japanese man!
In misty rain,
I went pass villages
My bosses are so...
wicked
If you become a raftsman,
you'll get a lover
Late cherry blossoms, early red leaves
And then I feel...
so full of spirit
Mother of Private Satou?
Here are his remains.
Your son...
died in battle in China. In July.
In the name of the Emperor,
I honour your son.
Attention!
For this brave soul!
Salute!
You're...
home.
Osho.
Thanks for coming.
I brought money.
All I've got.
Take this.
For me?
Don't go to Shikoku.
I'm glad. Very glad.
But I don't need this.
- Why? - I won't go to Shikoku.
Really?
Yes.
Hurray!
Sudo.
I'll tell you a secret. Don't tell anyone.
I'm running away.
Tonight.
Running away?
With him.
The raftsman.
Where to?
There are lots of islands in Setouchi.
Some will be empty.
We'll live there until the war ends.
What is it?
Sudo?
No! Don't go anywhere!
Do me a favour.
Don't tell my brother.
Or he'll be miserable.
He'll be alone.
Please look after him.
Be good friends,
and study hard.
What is it?
Go!
Don't follow me!
I'm home.
Is your sister home?
Well...
Give her this.
Goodbye.
I'm alone...
in this dark path
Osho!
TWO ENEMY SHIPS SUNK NO LOSS ON OUR SIDE
It's me.
Now!
Your things?
I won't come with you.
Why?
Quick! People will come!
Let me go to the war.
You want to die?
I'll come back.
Osho.
Even if you do,
I won't be in this town.
You won't?
Why?
You prefer the war to me?
- No! - Then run away!
Why?
Because I'm a man.
What about women?
I'll be back.
- Your number! - 1, 2, 3, 4.
-5! - 6, 7.
Too slow!
- Your numbers! - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
7 newcomers today.
All here.
As of today,
you're soldiers of the Japanese army.
- Osho? - Yes.
She'll be sold to a brothel.
Brothel?
Better do this quick. Or they'll beat us again.
When would she leave?
This afternoon.
CHAPTER THREE Rescue Osho!
Let go!
Saki!
Haru!
Haru.
Where are you going! This is not a playground!
Go home!
It's the deathday of my father. He died at sea.
This is for him.
Good girl.
Who's he?
My brother.
Go ahead.
What are you going to do?
You promised you'd tell me.
We're saving the sold girls.
Kiddo, careful.
We're ready at Bottsuri Hill!
Bottsuri Hill ready!
Bottsuri Hill ready?
Yes!
SET OFF IN 5 MINUTES SET OFF!
- It burns! - Don't move!
Or I can't see!
Set off in 5 minutes.
Fall in!
SET OFF!
Set off! Set off!
Fatty! Hurry!
Let's go!
- Line up! - Line up!
- Go up! - Go up!
Thank you very much.
They're here! Get ready!
GET READY TO FIGHT
Get ready. I understand!
Osho, run!
Stop!
Stop them!
Osho.
Why?
Go or they'll catch you!
Where to?
I have nowhere to go.
Dad and Mom sold me for money.
I appreciate what you did for me.
I'm going back.
Osho.
And...
And?
It's lonely...
on my own.
- Boss. - Boss.
Don't chase them.
Where can they go?
Who sold them to me?
Their fathers and mothers!
They'll come back on their own.
I threw the soap up
Up to the roof
It broke and disappeared
Excuse me.
What?
Private Yuta Hayami has run away!
What?
Sorry! I'm responsible.
He ran away?
- Bastard! - Wait!
What is it?
He ran away for...
a woman.
Woman?
He found out his lover is to be sold to a brothel.
Who's that woman?
The girl on the hill. Osho.
On the hill?
Then...
she...
You know Osho?
I'll kill him!
Wait.
Relax.
Just wait.
Wait?
Osho is about to get on a boat to Shikoku.
Yuta Hayami will be there.
Down.
Down!
Hurry.
Let's go.
The blowing wind...
makes my face dry and crack
In an instant,
snow fills the ground
How sad...
the barefoot maiden
Don't call out...
your mother
The torn parts of...
the handmade kimono,
made my skin...
feel bad
How sad...
the maiden who gets wet
You won't ever...
find your home again
Yes, here.
Deserters...
are traitors!
In front of our citizens,
I'll shoot the deserter.
Your gun!
I'll shoot...
from the lighthouse.
Sergeant Tabata.
When you see him, let me know.
Yes, sir!
Get on!
Hurry!
Get on! Get on!
Get on!
Hurry!
That boat...
It's him!
ENEMY
IS
COMING
Jump!
Stop! Where are you going!
Put it down!
It's dangerous!
If you come near, I'll light it up!
So crowded today!
Sotaro!
Help!
Oh my!
Raise your head.
I'm a son of the sea
In the white waves
I came...
to see her,
why wasn't...
she there?
My...
calling...
forgotten?
Even if I wake up,
I feel as if I'm still dreaming.
CHAPTER FOUR Epilogue
As time passes,
I still remember the sadness and anger.
We aren't kids anymore.
ELITE SQUAD FOUGHT TO THEIR DEATHS
(Teacher Kawakita is going to war)
Now...
Lieutenant Aoki...
will speak to us.
Please.
What's this?
Only one thing left.
Burying the remains of our dreams with our own hands.
Our last practical joke.
- Headmaster, what are you doing? - Nothing.
- No time. Hurry up. - Yes, yes.
As you all know,
the war is getting more fierce day by day.
The time has come...
for all Japanese to fight the enemy.
So,
pupils will be mobilized.
We're asking those of you who are brave...
to volunteer as a young soldier.
For our Emperor,
it's time...
to give your life...
for the...
Japanese Empire!
Lieutenant!
Hurray! Hurray!
You go to the fields, to the hills, to the beaches...
to put down flowers picked from hills at noon.
Your round eyes are sadder than the blue sky.
Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi