Downed American fliers in WW II are vivisected by Japanese surgeons in medical experiments. (Source: IMDb) ~~ Adapted from the novel of the same name. Edit Translation
- English
- magyar / magyar nyelv
- dansk
- Norsk
- Native Title: 海と毒薬
- Also Known As: The Sea and Poison , Umi to Dokuyaku
- Screenwriter & Director: Kumai Kei
- Genres: Drama, War
Cast & Credits
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![Watanabe Ken in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)]( "Watanabe Ken in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)")
Watanabe KenTodaMain Role -
![Okuda Eiji in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)]( "Okuda Eiji in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)")
Okuda Eiji Main Role -
![Tamura Takahiro in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)]( "Tamura Takahiro in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)")
Tamura TakahiroProfessor HashimotoSupport Role -
![Kishida Kyoko in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)]( "Kishida Kyoko in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)")
Kishida KyokoOhba [Head Nurse]Support Role -
![Koyama Shigeru in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)]( "Koyama Shigeru in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)")
Koyama ShigeruGondoSupport Role -
![Okada Masumi in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)]( "Okada Masumi in Sea and Poison Japanese Movie (1986)")
Okada MasumiHattori [Investigator]Support Role
Photos
Reviews
Powerful. Upsetting. Honest. Brilliant.
This film was not widely distributed in Japan because the subject matter was so delicate, and not distributed in theatres at all internationally. Nevertheless, it won the top prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 1986 and holds a top spot on most of Japan's film critics' lists, such as the uber prestigious Kinema Junpo.
The plot is centered on the true story of Japanese surgeons conducting vivisections on 8 American POWs. That's the ostensible subject of the film. But the real subject is Hanna Arendt's famous maxim, "The banality of evil." You see, we witness 3 ordinary individuals -- 2 medical interns and a nurse -- knowingly participating in the grotesque murder of 8 men for various reasons. For instance, because they were just following orders. Or because it was a way of pandering to superiors and advancing their career. Or because, in one case, they were acting out a personal grudge against another staff member. This particular person's motive was the most striking example of the Banality of Evil.
The writer, director and actors created believable characters whom the viewer cares about in a well paced plot that flies by over the course of 2 hours. It's a film of stunning realism and emotion. Highly recommended.
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