The Battle of Okinawa (1971)
Original title: 激動の昭和史 沖縄決戦
The Battle of Okinawa is a 1971 Japanese-language war movie directed by Kihachi Okamoto, with a running time of 2h 29m. It stars Keiju Kobayashi, Yūzō Kayama and Tetsuro Tamba.
The Americans are swiftly closing on Okinawa, an island just south of the Japanese mainland. The Imperial command sends top generals and several army divisions to defend it at all costs. The mission quickly degenerates as vital resources and troops are diverted to other islands. After a civilian evacuation ends in tragedy most of non-combatants are forced to remain on the island. Many convert to soldier status. Tokyo sends mixed messages that squander time and resources, as when they order the defenders to build an airstrip for aircraft that never come. The truth soon becomes obvious: the high command decides that the island cannot be held and effectively abandons the Okinawan defenders. When the Americans land many troops are deployed in the wrong places. As the slaughter mounts, a suicidal attitude takes hold. Okinawa becomes a death trap, for civilian volunteers and non-combatants as well.
Quick answers
What is The Battle of Okinawa about?
The Americans are swiftly closing on Okinawa, an island just south of the Japanese mainland. The Imperial command sends top generals and several army divisions to defend it at all costs. The mission quickly degenerates as vital resources and troops are diverted to other islands. After a civilian evacuation ends in tragedy most of non-combatants are forced to remain on the island. Many convert to soldier status. Tokyo sends mixed messages that squander time and resources, as when they order the defenders to build an airstrip for aircraft that never come. The truth soon becomes obvious: the high command decides that the island cannot be held and effectively abandons the Okinawan defenders. When the Americans land many troops are deployed in the wrong places. As the slaughter mounts, a suicidal attitude takes hold. Okinawa becomes a death trap, for civilian volunteers and non-combatants as well.
When was The Battle of Okinawa released?
The Battle of Okinawa was released on 14 August 1971.
How long is The Battle of Okinawa?
The Battle of Okinawa runs 2h 29m.
Who made The Battle of Okinawa?
The Battle of Okinawa was directed by Kihachi Okamoto.
Cast
- Keiju Kobayashi as General Ushijima
- Yūzō Kayama
- Tetsuro Tamba as Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
- Tatsuya Nakadai as Colonel Hiromichi Yahara
- Mayumi Ozora
- Kenji Sahara
- Katsuhiko Sasaki as Communications Officer Miyake
- Hideyo Amamoto as Okinawa Regional Officer
- Ryō Ikebe as Rear Admiral Ota
- Ichirō Nakatani as Chief of Staff Ueno
- Gorō Mutsumi
- Kamatari Fujiwara