The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959)

Ningen no jôken (1959)

***Unable to locate VHS cover at this time.

Length of film: 208 Minutes

Rated: 15

Genre: Drama, History, War

Director: Masaki Kobayashi

Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Chikage Awashima, Ineko Arima, Keji Sada, Sô Yamamura

IMDB Rank: 8.5/10

Part 1 Time: 105 Minutes

Part 2 Time: 103 Minutes

Where does the first part end? As Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) prepares to take his three day vacation, Chen (Akira Ishihama) is chased and then threatened by Huang (Taiji Tonoyama) to cut the power to the electric fence, in order to escape from the compound.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “If you refuse, you and Sai will die,” states Huang.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “I feel wonderful” Michiko (Michiyo Aratama) states as she and Kaji begin to leave the camp.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, Kaji humanitarian beliefs have begun to make working conditions within the labour camp better. However a vast majority of workers (many are prisoners of war) continue to plot breakout attempts. With the frequent worker escapes, Kaji’s coworkers are sceptical of these humanitarian reforms and are beginning to undermine him. Will Kaji ultimately be successful in implementing his reforms within the camp?

Which part is better? The film explores the concept of Humanism, as the protagonist Kaji is frequently challenged by his beliefs, which contradicts the atmosphere of the labour camp. Can humanistic ideals thrive in a prisoner of war mining camp where brutality is not only encouraged, but also used to increase war production? Part two is better as Kaji’s is brought to a breaking point, where he is forced to choose between continuing his humanitarian beliefs or abandoning them. His decision will have dire consequences moving forward.

Academy Awards: None