Experiencing how and when countries explore their historical tragedies on film is always an interesting endeavor. Times of great anguish create the need for catharsis, which can be most effectively reached through art. In our recent American history, events such as 9/11 led to heated debates on if films such as World Trade Center were made too soon to be tasteful, and if they were told well enough to properly honor those who lost their lives. These debates on the role of film in exploring widespread grief has been going on for about as long as films have been around. In 1952, a mere seven years after the real-life events of Hiroshima, an adaptation of The Children of Hiroshima was released in Japan that had many fans. While this story is debated, it is said that the Japanese Teachers Union objected to the overly melodramatic content within the film, which led to a more visceral film being released the next year that showcased the horror of the infamous day in unsparing detail. While it is a very tough and emotional viewing experience, Hiroshima is an important one to seek out if you want a greater sense of the emotional fallout from the day.
The film unfolds in a really effective way that hits your squarely in the chest with its character driven approach. We begin in 1953, eight years after atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is in a classroom where we get the general sense of how citizens are faring in the aftermath of the supreme devastation. The topic of the day lingers in the air as an unavoidable presence that spreads fear and even shame. Many of the students suffer from “radiation disease,” but few even really understand what that means. Those who are lucky enough not to have any lingering effects almost conjure up a bit of a prejudice towards those with afflictions, mainly due to the uncertainty behind the sickness. These people are survivors of the bomb, but what does surviving really mean when your quality of life has been obliterated? It is up to a well-meaning school teacher (Eiji Okada) to engage with his students and try to come to terms with some of the issues at hand. Since American occupation of Japan had ceased at the time of production, the film is able to explore some frankly anti-American sentiments such as the hypocrisy of condemning the German’s use of gas when we created so much devastation. As an American viewer, this can be tough to reckon with, but there are some valid points among the hostility.
The more affecting part of the film is the latter half which flashes back to the days leading up to Hiroshima. In a bit of pro-Japan propaganda, we see an almost utopic depiction of the lives of the Japanese citizens that you suspect were not so rosy. The actual day of the bombing is quite a different picture, as you are thrust square into the devastation. Lifeless bodies are strewn about amongst blown-out buildings and fiery rubble. Those who do survive are caked with the grime of death, disoriented and struggling to move forward to an uncertain “safety.” Families are ripped apart; tragedy is around every corner and the film does not shrink away from this reality. You know you are watching a fictionalized version of the day, but the intensity of the setting and realism of the performers nearly make you feel like you are witnessing documentary footage. You could be forgiven if you struggle to make it through this portion of the film, and that might just be the point. Intellectually, we know why the bombs were dropped, but that does not make the loss of life any easier to stomach.
In addition to simply showcasing the horrors of the day, the film makes some incisive points regarding the Japanese response to the event. The leadership in question was just as misguided as we have come to expect from our own, as the military continued to express their desire to forge on in the fight while the rest of the country begged for surrender. The depiction of orphans post-bombing can be incredibly heartbreaking, as you get a firsthand look at what goes into them scrounging for food just to survive. You will not come out of Hiroshima feeling good about the state of the world. Mass casualty events such as this one are hard to stomach even when we feel they were necessary on some level. The film is an effective look at both the short term and long term implications of violence for the greater good. As a work of art, it is a monumental undertaking that provides an important snapshot into a fraught period in time. If you feel you can mentally handle it, I believe it has the possibility to expand your empathy and gain a more detailed perspective on one of the greatest tragedies the world has ever seen.
Video Quality
Hiroshima comes to Blu-Ray courtesy Arrow Academy in an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.37:1. This is the first time the US has been able to purchase the complete version of the film with restored scenes from the international version. This restoration is really something to marvel at, although that is not due to the pristine nature of the transfer. On the contrary, the transfer reveals a significant amount of damage throughout, but the indelicate handling of the elements throughout its lifetime makes even this transfer impressive on some level. There are many nicks and errant lines of noticeable damage, but the film appears very natural and filmic. Film grain is present without being too intrusive, which allows details not to be scrubbed away. The presentation does feature some flickering frames due to low-quality source elements. The contrast in the black-and-white photography is stellar. When source elements are less problematic, fine detail is pretty impressive in terms of production design and clothing. In terms of compression artifacts, banding and other digital anomalies, Arrow Academy avoids this on all accounts. Overall, Arrow Academy should be applauded for delivering such a strong presentation in the face of such poor elements.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with an LPCM 2.0 mono track in the original Japanese (with optional English subtitles). Dialogue sounds mostly clear without sound effects or the score trouncing on important information. The film employs some powerful sound effects that are given the appropriate weight within the mix. The track does reveal some occasional age related wear that is pretty much unavoidable in situations such as this one. This is not a particularly dynamic presentation, but Arrow presents a track that offers up the highest sound quality possible from the best surviving elements.
Special Features
- Hiroshima Nagasaki Download: A 1-hour-and-13-minute documentary by Shinpei Takeda which features many personal accounts from actual survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, now living in various parts of North America. This is very contemplative and moving with some engaging visual flourishes. Getting to hear these stories from those who were there is quite powerful. There is also an optional three-minute introduction from Takeda in which he explains his intention with the film and expresses his happiness that it is being included alongside Hiroshima on this Blu-Ray.
- Hiroshima, Cinema and Japan’s Nuclear Imagination: A 33-minute visual essay from Jasper Sharp in which he details the bombing, the literary and cinematic depictions of the event and more. Sharp makes you feel like you are sitting in on a well-informed professor giving a college-level lecture that offers up many fascinating tidbits.
- Interview with Actress Yumeji Tsukioka: A six-minute archival interview with one of the stars of the film in which she discusses her journey to the film, how her films traveled to other countries, how starring in Hiroshima impacted her personal life and more.
Final Thoughts
Hiroshima is an intense viewing experience that may not be palatable to everyone, but will be very rewarding to those who are willing to engage with it. There is a lot we can learn from our history, and this film put a very human face on an event that we typically think of in terms of solid numbers. Arrow Academy has provided a Blu-Ray with a fairly solid A/V presentation and some very informative extras. For those considering a purchase, this Blu-Ray delivers the goods.
Hiroshima is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Arrow Academy has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
