Emperor Meiji and General Nogi

1959 1h 44m JA

WarHistoryDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In January 1904, the situation between Japan and Russia had grown tense. The Emperor Meiji is deeply concerned, for Russia has started to build an invincible fortress at Port Arthur, and the relations between two countries have become strained to breaking point. General Nogi has retired to the first reserve and is now a gentleman farmer, but he is prepared for sudden mobilization. Finally, Japan declares war against Russia and Emperor Meiji appoints General Nogi as the commander of the force to attack Port Arthur. However, in spite of several all-out attacks, the fortress is strong and the casualties increase among the Japanese. Because of these reverses, there are loud cries for a change in command. However, the Emperor places his confidence in General Nogi.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Kanjūrō Arashi
Emperor Meiji
Miyuki Takakura
Empress Shôken
Hiroshi Hayashi
General Nogi Maresuke
Hikosaburo Kataoka
Katsunori, Nogi's first son
Keinosuke Wada
Sachiko Murase
Shizuko
Toshiaki Konoe
Yōichi Numata
General Kodama Gentarô

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Kiyoshi Komori
Writers: Mitsugi Okura, Kennosuke Tateoka
Languages: Japanese
Countries: Japan

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

67 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Emperor Meiji Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Kiyoshi Komori, shot by Kagai Okado. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Hideo Ozawa. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Hanzaburo Kaneko shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Kanjūrō Arashi and Miyuki Takakura and Hiroshi Hayashi carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt4524074 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Kiyoshi Komori directs. Kagai Okado behind the camera. Hideo Ozawa scores. Hanzaburo Kaneko cuts. Produced in Japan. Dialogue in Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

167 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Part of the "Emperor Meiji Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Kiyoshi Komori, shot by Kagai Okado. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Hideo Ozawa. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Hanzaburo Kaneko shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Kanjūrō Arashi and Miyuki Takakura and Hiroshi Hayashi carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt4524074 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Kagai Okado
Original score: Hideo Ozawa
Editing: Hanzaburo Kaneko
Runtime: 104 min · 1h 44m
Status: Released
Original language: JA
IMDB: Emperor Meiji and General Nogi (1959)

Part of

Emperor Meiji Collection

Also by

Kiyoshi Komori

Community reviews

What people are saying

DenPryan2019-11-17
In January 1 904, the situation between Japan and Russia had grown tense. The Emperor Meiji is deeply concerned, for Russia has started to build an invincible fortress at Port Arthur, and the relations between two countries have become strained to breaking point. General Nogi has retired to the first reserve and is now a gentleman farmer, but he is prepared for sudden mobilization. Finally, Japan declares war against Russia and Emperor Meiji appoints General Nogi as the commander of the force to attack Port Arthur. However, in spite of several all-out attacks, the fortress is strong and the casualties increase among the Japanese. Because of these reverses, there are loud cries for a change in command. However, the Emperor places his confidence in General Nogi. After long, hard-fought battles lasting several months in which the General loses his two and only sons… his troops finally take the Russian fortress and General Nogi justifies the trust placed in him by his Emperor. Peace is restored and General Nogi has inspired the confidence of his Emperor and people. In 1912, Emperor Meiji is taken ill and General Nogi attends his sovereign faithfully by day and by night. On July 30, 1912, Emperor Meiji passes away. An Imperial funeral for the Emperor Meiji ends on September 13th and the faithful Nogi in paying his highest tribute to his late Sovereign and the nation, commits suicide with his wife to follow the Emperor to the grave.

Production companies