Nihon rettô

Nihon rettô is an outstanding film, a brilliant multi faceted unpredictable drama of extraordinary dimension. The complexing thriller begins with the discovery of a floating body, the death of an American serviceman which ultimately leads to a far reaching criminal investigation. The CID investigate crimes committed by American servicemen and they take on the responsibility for this cold case. Their headquarters are on the local American Military Base which is staffed by both American and Japanese investigators, however it is the Americans who have an overriding power of control..The subsequent investigation, somewhat hindered, uncovers a sophisticated dark world of corruption & organised local & international crime, Menacingly throughout, American war planes roar overhead. The incisive film boldly criticises American foreign policy in Japan, Asia and further afield . The setting is 1959, a time of civil unrest and agitation as Japanese youth movements protest against the upcoming renewal of the ANPO treaty...

Kei Kumai's unflinching socially critical works have great depth and a tremendous dramatic force. His style of powerful simplicity presents controversial themes with astonishing artistic inventiveness. A superb cast of characters, the black and white cinematography of "A Chain Of Islands" is exceptional. Winner of the 1966 "Blue Ribbon Award", Best New Director, and at the 1966 "Kinema Junpo Awards", Best Screenplay Kei Kumai ... Highly Recommended.!!

You never heard of this movie ? Don't worry, you didn't miss much.

I admit upfront that the I saw this film in a Tokyo cinema without subtitles, so the finer points of the plot (and there is quite a lot of it) were lost on me.

However, I gathered it was to do with a probably fictitious US military base where there are some dastardly goings-on. From start to finish inclusive, nothing makes much sense, and the lack of subtitling can take only the minority of the blame for this. The acting is melodramatic at best, the characters drawn with a broad brush, the direction lacks focus.

The one area which held my interest was the (now-historical) everyday outdoor shots in and around Tokyo. Quite a bit less crowded than it is today.

Otherwise, confusing and ho-hum.