Hachikô monogatari

I watched this movie after seeing the American version (Hatchi: A Dogs Tale) with Richard Gere, as a dog owner it left a mark and I felt compelled to follow up on both films to see the true story.

I managed to find a book on Hatchi - The Truth of the Life and Legend of the Most Famous Dog in Japan by Mayumi Itoh. This book was just as compelling as the film and set out to confirm the facts from the fiction with amazing detail.

Hachiko Monogatari is the version closer to the true tale in most ways and you know the ending is going to be painful to watch but you watch it to the end anyway. This film also peeks into the culture at the time in Japan. If this film does not pull at your heart strings then nothing will.

While humans are weird on these things, dogs are companions for life. Dogs show eternal loyalty for the simplest things. Giving them food and water is enough for them to stay loyal forever, but if that includes love and attention that loyalty is taken to another degree. It is true that dogs CAN and DO chose their own masters and they are loyal to one person. It seems that, for them, life has no meaning if it's not with their first owner.

This film is very, very moving and sad, like no other I've ever seen. It tells the (real) story of Hachi, the dog that waited 10 long years for his owner after his death. Hachi kept waiting for him for the rest of his life and only didn't wait more because he died. Besides that hard reality, that dog was a victim of violence, went through a lot of pain, sorrow and even illness. It's already very depressing to imagine what the real Hachi went through and seeing what we see in this movie is so heartbreaking. It breaks my heart how much he waits for a master that won't be back anymore, the cruelty of humans towards innocent animals, the bad condition and fragile health he is after years.

The movie itself is far from being great, let alone a masterpiece. But it's unquestionably a valuable lesson about the loyalty of dogs in the highest sense and it shows that dog is definitely man's best friend, a companion for life in the good and bad moments, everything.

There are many hateful human characters and this movie is so depressing and painful that I can't even watch it anymore and I couldn't help but cry hard. Having that said, it's impossible not to love Hachi and our hearts melt over him.

This movie had an American remake with Richard Gere but it's very different. The original is a far more realistic approach to the real story, as it takes place in Japan in the 1920's/1930's - which is the place and time when this story really happened.

I seldom post reviews online but this is one movie that I feel compelled to. This is my favorite movie of all times without a doubt. I have watched Hachiko close to 10 times now and every single time my tears would start flowing uncontrollably without fail. Each time I thought to myself, yeah I have watched it before so I wont cry again but each time I still could not stop my tears. A lot has been written on the story so I wont repeat all that. Just want to add that this is a true story and the newspaper reporter at the end of the movie did actually exist, writing up an article on Hachiko in the Japanese newspapers then. They did erect a statue of Hachiko at the very station but it was melted down during World War 2 for military usage. The Japanese later erected another statue in replacement after the war and today if you visit Japan, be sure to visit Hachiko's statue in Tokyo. And Hachiko's body has been preserved after his death and remains to this day on display in the Tokyo Museum of Nature and Science. I am going to make a trip one day to visit Hachiko. :)

Only few films have made me cry, but not as many times as this one , it is a really captivating story and just to know it was a real one amazes me even more. You may never find a best friend but a dog will never disappoint you nor abandon you, and this movie just proves that.

Apart from being a great story, I found the camera-work to be really good, and the scenography in some parts of the film does not get left behind.

I also found the acting fitting to what it was being presented,it was in no way overdone nor was it lacking anything, it was just normal and good acting.

I would recommend this film to everyone because it is meant for all audiences, but I can't guarantee if it will make you cry or at least feel any emotion. Most of you probably will at least feel something, though (mostly if you're fond of pets or animals in general).

Don't miss the chance to watch this.

I loved this movie. It says everything about unconditional love and loyalty. I saw it in a small theater in Little Tokyo. It was a pretty full house. I remember at one point the sound of many people sobbing could be heard over the dialog. With tears in my eyes and a large lump in my throat...I turned to see...truly, not a dry eye in the house. Of coarse it made me laugh that so many were touched so strongly by this film. It mad "The Titanic" look like a comedy. I challenge anyone to see this film and not shed a tear? This film should be re-released and shown in major theater's everywhere. It's a perfect film. It's for everyone. Just don't forget a whole box of Kleenex...cause you'll need it!