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Poster for The Human Condition I: No Greater Love

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love

Seen it?

1959 | 204 min | War, Drama, History

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a box office flop and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved The Great Escape or Empire of the Sun, start here.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 3 hr 24 min.
What might put you off
  • It's long: 3 hr 24 min.
  • It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1959: an older pace and style.

After handing in a report on the treatment of Chinese colonial labor, Kaji is offered the post of labour chief at a large mining operation in Manchuria, which also grants him exemption from military service. He accepts and moves with his newlywed wife Michiko, but when he tries to put his ideas of more humane treatment into practice, he finds himself at odds with scheming officials, cruel foremen, and the military police.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    73% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    8.2 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 27K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

  • Tatsuya NakadaiKaji
  • Michiyo AratamaMichiko
  • Chikage AwashimaTôfuku Kin
  • Ineko ArimaShunran Yô
  • So YamamuraOkishima
  • Akira IshihamaChin
  • Kōji NanbaraKô
  • Seiji MiyaguchiKyôritsu Ô
  • Tōru AbeWatarai Gunsô
  • Masao MishimaKuroki Shochô