Warning from Space (Japan, 1956)

UFOs are seen around Tokyo. Because they look like giant starfish the aliens cannot approach us without creating panic. Hence one of them sacrifices itself and takes the form of a popular female singer. It/she warns mankind that a meteor will crash on Earth. While the approaching meteor causes hotter and hotter weather, mankind runs and builds a last-chance anti-meteor weapon.

Warning from Space is nothing less than Japan's first colored sci-fi movie, complete with ridiculous alien costumes and miniature towns getting blown up. The special effects team would later go on to make the Gamera monster movies in the 60's. Warning from Space was one of several that got made after the success of Godzilla (1954), and also relied heavily on the theme of atomic power. It reminded me of The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) with how the aliens doesn't show up just to wipe us out but to help us save ourselves. 

A fun little film to have seen, nothing too serious, just some helpful star creatures that really don't want to see Earth get smashed by a meteor.

Genre: Sci-Fi 

Samurai Trilogy (Japan, 1954-56)

The Samurai Trilogy, directed by Hiroshi Inagaki, was one of Japan’s most successful exports of the 1950s, a rousing, emotionally gripping tale of combat and self-discovery. Based on a novel that’s often called Japan’s Gone with the Wind, this sweeping saga fictionalizes the life of the legendary seventeenth-century swordsman (and writer and artist) Musashi Miyamoto, following him on his path from unruly youth to enlightened warrior.

When talking about some of the best Jidaigeki-films of all time, Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai-trilogy is sure to always come up. In the role of the eponymous Musashi Miyamoto we see Toshiro Mifune once again honing his sword skills, and we follow him from his early years as an aspiring warrior, up to the moment he becomes a true samurai. The grainy Eastmancolor is a true favorite of mine and makes the cinematography truly come alive, and I can't help but think that this is what cinema always was supposed to look like. The story goes through some ups and downs during the trilogy but it starts out great and ends fantastic. 

Genre: Action/Adventure/Biography

The Burmese Harp (Japan, 1956)

Mizushima is a soldier in the Japanese army in Burma in World War II. He's a good soldier and frequently plays his harp to entertain his fellow soldiers. When the war comes to an end, he is asked by the British to go into the mountains to try and convince a Japanese troop to surrender. Given only 30 minutes to convince them, Mizushima is unsuccessful - they would rather die with honor - and the British attack. Deeply affected by what has happened, he becomes a Buddhist monk, traveling the countryside burying the remains of Japanese soldiers. 

The Burmese Harp is centered around religion and Buddhists beliefs, without beating you in the head with it which easily could have been the case. It's a beautiful and haunting look at post-war Japan, with memorable scenes and lovely authentic scenography. Director Kon Ichikawa  (An Actor's Revenge, The Makioka Sisters) was supposed to shoot the film in color but due to large and bulky cameras that he was afraid to damage by accident he instead shot the film in black-and-white.

Genre: Drama/War

Crazed Fruit (Japan, 1956)

Spending their summer on an exotic beach, two brothers fall for the same beautiful girl, whose charm and looks may hide more than they they bargained for.

Love can truly be the most thing in the world. It can also be the worst. As much as it can make you walk on clouds and feel such a deep happiness, it can bring out the very worst in you and make you taste horrible feelings like jealousy and hate. Without spoiling too much, Crazed Fruit shows the full spectrum of romance and not just the good parts. 

Not too long, so it doesn't drag on. An oldie but goodie, for sure.

Genre: Drama

Street of Shame (Japan, 1956)

Five prostitutes work at Dreamland, in Tokyo's Yoshiwara district. As the government considers a ban on prostitution, the women's daily dramas play out. Each has dreams and motivations. Hanae is married, her husband unemployed; they have a young child. Yumeko, a widow, uses her earnings to raise and support her son, who's now old enough to work and care for her. The aging Yorie has a man who wants to marry her, and so on. 

Street of Shame juggles many characters in its hands, and still no one is left behind. Every woman has their own tale and different background, and faces all kind of problems at the brothel. It was the last film of highly acclaimed director Kenji Mizoguchi.

Genre: Drama