The Human Condition II: The Road to Eternity (1959)

Ningen no jôken (1959)

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

Length of film: 181 Minutes

Rated: 15

Genre: Drama, History, War

Director: Masaki Kobayashi

Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Kokinji Katsura, Jun Tatara, Michirô Minami, Kei Satô, Kaneko Iwasaki

IMDB Rank: 8.5/10

Part 1 Time: 102 Minutes

Part 2 Time: 79 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Kaji is released from the hospital and returns to the army barracks. He is dropped off by a medical truck and says his goodbye to Nurse Tokunaga (Kaneko Iwasaki).

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “I believe we will, whatever the odds. You can always meet those you really wish to,” Kaji states.

First line of dialogue on the second part: No dialogue, as Kaji is on a train filled with other soldiers. In the following scene Kaji carries blankets in the barracks, a soldier states “Class- A fortifications with log barrel cannons, must be the scarecrow strategy.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, Kaji has now fully recovered from his injuries and has returned to the army barracks. With Kaji having finished his basic training it is only a matter of time before he partakes in his first battle.

Which part is better? The film is split into two distinct parts with part one showcasing Kaji’s basic training and adjustment to the various customs of the Japanese army. Part two has Kaji being promoted to private first class and overseeing his first battle (the 20 minute battle really captures the brutality of war). Part two is better as Kaji is again forced to make split second decisions that not only test his humanitarian views, but also brings him to a starling realization.

Academy Awards: None