Arukimedesu no taisen

Great Japanese film about the pre-war corruption, code of honor and nationalistic pride that led to Japan's complete destruction. So many in the high command knew a war with America was unwinnable but militaristic pride and honor to the Emperor ruled their decisions.

Largest Battleship ever built used for nothing more than a Kamikaze Raid that took 3000 sailors.

Not an action film (apart from the sinking), but a Japanese snapshot of ne part of mindset that led to war.

Best watched in the original Japanese with subtitles.

*oh, actor who portrayed Admiral Nagumo in Midway plays Admiral Nagano here.*

The Great War of Archimedes is Takashi Yamazaki's second stab at similar themes he would later refine further in the glorious Godzilla Minus One, yet he handles said themes in way more cynical approach than what we saw with the big lizard. With The Great War of Archimedes, Yamazaki explores all the political and personal ramifications of building what would become the Yamato would cause Japan, inevitable war. In a way, it feels extremely derivative of Yamazaki's earlier The Eternal Zero, acting as a self-aware commentary on Japan's militarism and contemporary national ethos. Much of the film is a courtroom drama, but Yamazaki does manage to sneak in a lot of fabulously executed action, he's one of the best Japanese filmmakers when it comes to utilising CG to augment his set pieces. Combine this with some stirring performances from its cast and a gorgeous score by Naoki Sato leaves The Great War of Archimedes as another underseen gem in Yamazaki's extensive filmography.

This is a fictionalized story is based on a manga and is not meant to be historically accurate. The first exciting 15 minutes of the movie made me think it was a war film. Instead it is a tale of a mathematician, who 9 years before the battle, tried heroically to prevent a money wasting battleship from being built for Japan's pre-WW2 navy instead of a carrier built on behalf of the forward thinking General Yamamoto.

The attack on the battleship at the beginning was well done and exciting. The main character ,played by Masaki Suda, gives an award-winning quality performance. The rest of the cast is good as well. Watching it in the original Japanese will better reflect their performances. There are some not so believable elements that you'll need to put aside in order to better enjoy the film. The final act has a poignant and surprising twist.

I watched the Japanese language version of this movie last night and was impressed with the Japanese cast and their performances. I was unaware that an English dub existed until doing a little research today.

After watching the English dub, I was impressed by all of the English dub actors except for one. The most important one. I'm referring to the lead role of Tadashi Kai originally (well) played by Masaki Suda. Suda's performance was both impressive and expressed the realism that should be expected of a lead actor.

However: The English voice actor chosen to portray the character of Tadashi Kai did a huge disservice to the entire tone of the role. While I will give "Derick Snow" exceptionally high marks for his many performances as a dub actor in the wonderful world of Japanese Anime, his portrayal of "Lt. Commander Tadashi Kai was both childish and demeaning. Snow made the lead actor in this movie sound like a pansy. It was actually quite embarrassing. One can only hope that Masaki Suda never hears how he was portrayed by an American actor.

You may say that this is one man's opinion, and you would be correct. However I have made my living using my own voice in the broadcast media industry for more years that I care to count these days. Hate me if you will, but I stand by my words.

Just another voice in the crowd :)

"The Great War of Archimedes" (2019) offers a captivating journey into naval politics and wartime calculations. Though visually impressive, the film's 2+ hour runtime can feel bloated at times, with repetitive sequences and drawn-out dialogues. While the central plot about a math prodigy uncovering corruption is intriguing, the pacing hinders its full impact.

Despite these shortcomings, the film's strength lies in its engaging characters and the compelling moral dilemma presented. Suda Masaki delivers a nuanced performance as the conflicted math whiz, while the supporting cast adds depth and intrigue. The film successfully portrays the complexities of war and the sacrifices demanded from individuals caught in its midst.

Overall, "The Great War of Archimedes" is a worthwhile watch for those interested in historical dramas and intricate plotlines. However, viewers seeking a fast-paced experience might find it a bit long-winded.

Rating: 7/10.