The Burmese Harp

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The Burmese Harp

1956,

1h 56m,

War

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Watchlist

89%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

When a Japanese platoon surrenders to British forces in Burma in 1943, the platoon's harp player, Mizushima (Shôji Yasui), is selected from the prisoners of war to deliver a request for surrender to a Japanese regiment holed up on a mountain. Mizushima fails to convince the soldiers to accept defeat, and a last stand commences. Traumatized by the bloodshed of his fellow countrymen, Mizushima disguises himself as a Buddhist monk and begins a journey toward peace of mind amid the chaos.

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Oct 23, 2007

Kon Ichikawa's 1956 antiwar film was widely hailed at the time of its release for its power and commitment, though by today's standards it's likely to appear uncomfortably didactic.

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Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

Apr 1, 2007

3/4

The Burmese Harp, just as the titular instrument suggests songs without filling them out, is a slight film that suggests the heavy human toll of war without actually presenting it.

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Jul 1, 2010

5/5

Thoroughly engrossing in its humanism and often heartbreakingly beautiful in both tone and image.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Mar 10, 2009

B+

This is the pic that brought international acclaim to Ichikawa.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Dec 30, 2008

B+

Nominated in the first year of the foreign-language Oscar, Ichikawa's art film was innovative at the time with its anti-war spiritual message and lyrical imagery.

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John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

Apr 28, 2007

B

most gentle of war dramas

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George S

Feb 1, 2014

A great groundbreaking film. At first I thought it would be horribly depressing, but instead it was deeply touching. Accompanied by beautiful harp and men's choir music I was reminded of the simple beauties of life, and was left with the idea that even in times of horrible suffering it is not our place to try and understand why life is so terrible but rather how we can make it better. 1001 movies to see before you die.

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Synopsis

When a Japanese platoon surrenders to British forces in Burma in 1943, the platoon's harp player, Mizushima (Shôji Yasui), is selected from the prisoners of war to deliver a request for surrender to a Japanese regiment holed up on a mountain. Mizushima fails to convince the soldiers to accept defeat, and a last stand commences. Traumatized by the bloodshed of his fellow countrymen, Mizushima disguises himself as a Buddhist monk and begins a journey toward peace of mind amid the chaos.

Director: Kon Ichikawa
Producer: Masayuki Takaki
Screenwriter: Natto Wada, Michio Takeyama
Distributor: Brandon Films Inc., Criterion Collection
Production Co: Nikkatsu Corporation
Genre: War
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 21, 1956, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 2024
Release Date (DVD): Mar 13, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA): $15.8K
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround

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