The Human Condition

Starring Tatsuya Nakadai in his first major leading role as Japanese pacifist and socialist Kaji, The Human Condition follows his journey through the totalitarian and oppressive world of World War II-era Japan and Manchukuo. Kaji begins as a labour camp supervisor seeking to implement more humane treatment of Chinese prisoners, is later conscripted into the Imperial Japanese Army, and ultimately becomes a prisoner of war. Constantly trying to uphold his ideals in a corrupt system, he repeatedly finds his morals an impediment rather than an advantage. Michiyo Aratama co-stars as his wife, Michiko.