Emperor's Naked Army Marches on
by Kazuo Hara
List Price:
Our Price: $22.40
You Save: $7.55 (25%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $13.87 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Director: Kazuo HaraBrand: Facets Multimedia
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Japanese (Original Language), Unknown; Japanese (Published), Unknown
Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 122 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-02-27
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Facets
Movie Reviews of Emperor's Naked Army Marches on
Movie Review: The Nail That Refused To Be Hammered Down!
Summary: 5 Stars
My review of "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On" refers to the Region 4 import from Australia. I had this film on VHS; and although the DVD from Australia was an improvement over the horrible transfer and subtitles of the VHS film, the film could still be improved upon. Hopefully this newer release [all region] has better quality subtitles. This documentary film released in 1988, and 4 to 5 years in the making, deals with the quest, or crusade, of a one Kenzo Okuzaki. Say what you will about Kenzo Okuzaki; the former Imperial Japanese soldier; one thing is for sure: his confrontational style leaves the viewer with a unique look at atonement.
The Japanese have a saying "The nail that sticks up shall be hammered down." Yet, Kenzo Okuzaki not only refused to be hammered down, but his very character traits of being in the face of those he accuses of war crimes gives the viewer a strange and perplexing look at a nation who refuses to look at its own past. Yes, WWII was a long time ago. But for many, including Okuzaki, time is irrelevant. The entire premise of the documentary deals with Okuzaki's attempts to confront the horror of his wartime experiences of the New Guinea campaign in WWII. For those who are not familiar with the WWII campaign on New Guinea, the battle was a hellish one. Especially for the Japanese.
Kenzo Okuzaki accuses his former superiors of atrocities in this documentary. Especially one atrocity in particular: The execution of Japanese soldiers on New Guinea. Okuzaki, who is sometimnes accompanized along with the deceased soldiers' relatives, attempts to expose these atrocities by confronting former members of his unit. One in particular is a former Sergeant. And although the film explores the atrocities by the Japanese soldiers against Japanese soldiers, the very fact that these former soldiers pass the buck to those who were in charge; and in particular to their commanding officer; whose response was that he was "only following orders," is very telling in itself.
But for me, the main essence of the documentary of a former soldier in the Japanese Imperial Army accusing his own men of atrocities is quite compelling. Especially considering that Okuzaki accuses Emperor Hirohito of being responsible for ALL the war crimes committed in WWII: As Okuzaki believes the Emperor was the reason that the Japanese Army went on a conquest of Asia. I would also like to recommend to those who wish to purchase this DVD, to also take a look at the film "Under The Flag Of The Rising Sun" by director Kinji Fukasaku. The film by Fukasaku, released in 1972, deals with the New Guinea campaign, and the accusations directed by the the films protagonist compliment "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On." I would also recommend to viewers to check out the film "Fires On The Plain, by director Kon Ichikawa. The subject matter that both of these films deal with have much in common with the documentary. Especially why the accused in this documentary were executed.
This documentary is one of only a handful of documentaries by Japanese soldiers confronting the war, and as such it is highly recommended. Do not go into this documentary with the assumption that this will be like something you see on the History Channel, or some other well-done, cinematic and perfectly directed documentary. This documentry may not have perfect camera men behind the lens, but it says much more than many other documentaries of this nature. Which is probably why I like this documentary so much. Whether or not it is professionally done does not really matter. What matters is the lone crusade of one former Japanese soldier who does not wish to quietly acquiesce to those whom he once served under. And whether or not you sympathize with Okuzaki is really irrelevant, [to me at least] for he is not trying to be liked. His in your face attitude and disrespect for those in authority is his way of attempting to come to face-to-face with his own harrowing past. Maybe even his way of redemption? I highly recommend the DVD.
Summary of Emperor's Naked Army Marches on
Man on a mission? Or, man obsessed? Director Kazua Hara?s absorbing documentary follows former auto mechanic Kenzo Okuzaki?a veteran of Japan?s New Guinea campaign during WWII?as he searches out those responsible for the mysterious deaths of several fellow soldiers in his unit. Okuzaki painstakingly tracks down former military officers and accuses them of specific war crimes, including the wrongful execution of Japanese soldiers. Hara?s subtle cinema verite not only captures the zeal of Okuzaki?s lifelong mission but also exposes the atrocities committed by the Japanese military against its on soldiers. This film created such controversy in Japan upon release that no major distributor would handle it.Similar DVD Movies
Secret Sunshine (Criterion Collection)Image Entertainment; Release date: 2011-08-23; DVD
Best price: $14.31
Price in other shops:
Kuroneko (Criterion Collection)IMG; Release date: 2011-10-18; DVD
Best price: $18.57
Price in other shops:
Eclipse Series 26: Silent Naruse (Flunky, Work Hard / No Blood Relation / Apart from You / Every-Night Dreams / Street Without End) (The Criterion Collection)Image Entertainment; Release date: 2011-04-05; DVD
Best price: $21.57
Price in other shops:
A Dedicated LifeFacets Multimedia; Release date: 2007-06-26; DVD
Best price: $16.75
Price in other shops:
Tokyo Story (The Criterion Collection)HVC; Release date: 2003-10-28; Published: 2003-10-01; DVD
Best price: $24.99
Price in other shops:
Patriotism (The Criterion Collection)Image Entertainment; Release date: 2008-07-01; DVD
Best price: $14.00
Price in other shops:
Tokyo SonataKoch International; Release date: 2010-05-04; DVD
Best price: $13.20
Price in other shops:
Goodbye CPFacets Multimedia; Release date: 2007-04-24; DVD
Best price: $18.07
Price in other shops:
Black RainKoch International; Release date: 2009-10-20; DVD
Best price: $13.41
Price in other shops:
Extreme Private Eros: Love Song 1974Facets Multimedia; Release date: 2007-03-27; DVD
Best price: $17.91
Price in other shops: