The Battle of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa (1971)

14/08/1971
War, History
2h 29m

The biggest and last fierce battle in history! 90 days of turbulence that burned green and life!

Overview

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.

  • Kihachi OkamotoDirector
  • Kaneto ShindōScreenplay
  • Original Title

    激動の昭和史 沖縄決戦

  • Status

    Released

  • Original Language

    Japanese

Keywords

  • world war ii
  • u.s. navy
  • okinawa
  • pacific war
  • japanese army
  • battle of okinawa
  • shōwa era (1926-89)

Top Billed Cast

Keiju Kobayashi

Keiju Kobayashi

General Ushijima

Yūzō Kayama

Yūzō Kayama

Tetsuro Tamba

Tetsuro Tamba

Lieutenant General Isamu Cho

Tatsuya Nakadai

Tatsuya Nakadai

Colonel Hiromichi Yahara

Mayumi Ozora

Mayumi Ozora

Kenji Sahara

Kenji Sahara

Katsuhiko Sasaki

Katsuhiko Sasaki

Communications Officer Miyake

Hideyo Amamoto

Hideyo Amamoto

Okinawa Regional Officer

Ryō Ikebe

Ryō Ikebe

Rear Admiral Ota

Ichirō Nakatani

Ichirō Nakatani

Chief of Staff Ueno

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