Daily Archives: November 12, 2016

The Human Condition II: The Road to Eternity (Ningen no joken)
Directed by Masaki Kobayashi
Written by Zenzo Matsuyama and Masaki Kobayashi from a novel by Junpei Gomikawa
1959/Japan
Shochiku Eiga
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Kaji: I refuse to die.[/box]

Kobayashi’s pacifist hero finds that the real enemy in WWII is the Japanese army.

This takes up where Part I left off, with Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) drafted into the army as a raw recruit.  Despite his pacifism, he attempts to make the best of a bad situation.  He is actually the best shot of all the recruits and a natural leader.  However, he is a suspected as a Red, due to his kind treatment of the Chinese prisoners in Part I.  The first half of the movie is devoted to the basic training of the men.  All missteps are disciplined by savage blows to the face and head.  In fact, any man senior to any other man seems to be able to strike his junior at will.  Kaji comes in for a lot of this treatment.

Finally, Kaji’s unit is called up to defend the Soviet invasion of Manchuria in the closing days of WWII.  They are hopelessly outnumbered and out-equipped.  Kaji attempts to hold on to return to his beloved Michiko.

In Part II of The Human Condition, Kobayashi continues to explore the brutality of war on an epic scale.  These films have portrayed the Japanese military in a worse light than any of the most propagandistic American war films I have seen.  The filmmaking continues to be masterful no matter how hard the subject matter is to take.  Part III was not released until 1961 and I will review it with that year’s films.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpr_75YYX1o

Trailer

A Dog of Flanders
Directed by James B. Clark
Written by Ted Sherdeman from a story by Ouida
1959/USA
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] “Happiness is a warm puppy.” ― Charles M. Schulz[/box]

This looks to have been made to capitalize on the success of Old Yeller and stars the same dog-actor.  It’s not quite as heart-warming as that film but comes close.

The story takes place in 1900 Belgium.  Nello Daas (David Ladd) is being raised by his grandfafther, Jehan.  They earn their meager bread by delivering milk.  One day Nello finds a sick, abused dog he names Patrasche (Spike).  The grandfather very reluctantly takes the animal in as this will mean sharing their scarce food with the animal.  It takes time for the boy to earn the trust of the dog but once he does they are fast friends.  The dog seems anxious to work pulling the milk cart.

Nello’s dream is to be a great painter – a dream which Jehan discourages, preferring to put the boy to work as an apprentice.  But the boy comes upon a painter in Antwerp (Theodore Bikel) who eventually recognizes his talent.  Much tragedy and love follow.

Couldn’t find a still of the dog in color!

Although I was not familiar with this tale, it appears it is a classic that has been filmed several times.  I am a sucker for dog movies and this is a good one.  David Ladd is only adequate but the supporting cast is excellent.  Needless to say, Spike is the greatest!

Some stills, etc. set to music from the film