Legend of a Duel to the Death

A SHOCHIKU FILM

HOKKAIDO

Dear, the horse died next door.

It did?

Everyone's gathered and crying. Go show your face.

So it died. Poor thing.

The weather's been great.

It's too hot.

We were worried about frost damage.

We have a nice crop.

We've got the sun to thank.

Hello.

Back to see your parents?

I've got some free time.

You've grown into a nice housewife.

Don't tease me.

I mean it.

I'll drop by later. Say hi to everyone.

Okay we'll be waiting.

Mr. Stonemason, I'll help you.

Hey could you lend a hand?

Come on, a little bit more.

Our story took place amidst this peaceful scenery.

It's the record of a nightmare.

Not a single person talks about what happened.

Perhaps one day it will be told as a legend of a mountain demon.

Until then, people will remain silent and not speak of it.

Because these mountains still glow red under sunset clouds.

Then people's ears pick up violent alarm bells.

They hear yells, curses, and even gunshots.

Their souls feel guilt over the nightmares of bygone days.

A LEGEND OR WAS IT?

Produced by MASAO SHIRAI KEISUKE KINOSHITA

Cinematography by HIROSHI KUSUDA

Music by CHUJI KINOSHITA

Production Design by CHIYOO UMEDA

Lighting by RYOZO TOYOSHIMA

Starring

SHIMA IWASHITA MARIKO KAGA GO KATO

KINUYO TANAKA YOSHI KATO

BUNTA SUGAWARA TSUTOMU MATSUKAWA

Written and Directed by KEISUKE KINOSHITA

SUMMER 1945

He even contacted the Ration Supply Centre

to have this wagon wait for us at the station.

Mother was worried about your return.

We're evacuees hosted by the village. And you're being sent back with illness.

And the welcome party?

They're busy Nobody wants to come. But it's Mr. Takamori's order.

I hate that village mayor.

So you don't mind marrying Mr. Takamori's son?

I don't want to.

I don't care anymore.

Who knows what's going to happen to Japan.

I don't think I'll ever go back to Tokyo.

We're evacuees. We don't have enough to eat.

If I marry him, it'll help everyone.

Don't marry him for that.

You just don't understand.

Mr. Takamori brings us many things these days, so we're doing fine.

No families shared anything with us before.

We had nothing to eat or drink. Mother was crying all the time.

These villagers are so mean.

Norio.

Don't worry Say it.

L, too, hate these mean villagers.

I'm back now. I'll work hard.

Don't push yourself.

Big Brother.

Here comes Kagari.

I'm coming home victorious

Bravely I swore and left home

If not triumphant, I can't die

Each time I hear the marching trumpet

Aren't you happy?

Yes, it's been four years.

What's he like? Does he look just like his photo?

I hope so. But he's had an illness.

He must be beautiful, like you and your daughters.

Oh, my Thank you.

He's here!

He's here! They're back with him!

He's here! They're back with him!

He's here!

You must welcome him as host.

Go tell them to hurry We've been waiting.

My dumb son is so excited.

A lovesick man is a weak man.

Ridiculous.

- Parasol! - Yes, sir.

Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

That's him. Mr. Takamori's son.

- Welcome back. - Thank you very much.

Thanks for helping my family

Don't mention it. Care to ride the horse?

You're too kind.

Don't hesitate. Right, Miss Kieko?

No, it's quite alright.

You're a hero.

You're embarrassing me.

Please get back on the horse.

If you say so.

I've got a crippled hand.

You...

I was in your Company during the attack on Zhengzhou.

FIGHT JAPAN TO THE END

Idiot!

Don't just stand there and stare!

The Sonobe family lived in «Salmon Cottage».

A riverside cabin abandoned after a flood.

They were evacuated from war-tom Tokyo.

They were originally from Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan.

The father, an engineering specialist, was sent somewhere in Malaya.

They had not heard from him.

Their second son Masahiko, an airman, went to war in the south.

They hadn't heard from him, either.

Their oldest son Hideyuki's return encouraged them to be happy.

But, a dark shadow hung ominously over this family even then.

Yuri's shooting the shotgun.

«She who shoots oft shall hit something».

Come on. We might have a feast tonight.

It's good we get more food rations, but it's so heavy

Must be hard work for you.

A spoiled boy from Tokyo, working in the mountains.

Funny isn't it? Yuri's mom used to give my brothers and sisters piggyback rides.

I wish she were alive. She could've helped your family a lot.

You guys are helping us a lot. Without you, my family would've all died.

It's wartime. We've gotta help each other.

Dad!

It's a problem.

The deputy mayor pressured Shintaro about it at the Ration Supply Centre.

Just say «No».

We're afraid of the aftermath.

If the Takamori family turns against us, I worry what will happen.

Either way I doubt they can chase us out.

We're trying farming, but nothing much grows here.

But let's not sacrifice Kieko.

Your story did shake me to the bones.

I wouldn't want her to marry him, either.

But how do we turn down their marriage proposal?

Tell them her fiancé is at war.

Hideyuki.

Once Kieko and a man had promised their future to one another.

Soon after the family had been evacuated into the mountains,

he was blown apart in the clouds above French Indochina.

Yuri, how old are you, again?

You're funny Dad. I'm 19.

You're 19, huh?

How old are you, Dad?

I'm 53.

You're so old.

I'm not that old.

Now you've got me worried. Hang in there.

I've gotta hang in there. You're still only 19.

I'm old enough.

Not yet.

When your mom was 19, she was working for the Sonobes.

She used to give Hideyuki piggyback rides.

What a hard worker she was.

Hideyuki gave me a piggyback ride today

- He did? - Yup.

Now we're even.

Even, huh?

It was fun.

It was fun, huh?

- Good evening. - Wow.

What a surprise. Come on in.

I have a favour to ask.

- Please. - What is it?

It's about Kieko.

And Mr. Takamori's son.

Please turn it down.

They might be offended, but...

We haven't seen the end of it.

Hideyuki.

Our field has been destroyed.

Who did this?

We worked so hard to cultivate this wasteland.

Damn it.

Shintaro. Mr. Shintaro.

Mrs. Sonobe, the police are here.

Arrest the perpetrator.

Who in the world has done this?

Obvious, isn't it?

Look at the horse tracks. It's clear who did it.

Yeah, well, we've only got horse tracks.

Isn't that evidence?

Of course not. There are many horses in the village.

There's only one man who would do this.

Go to the Takamori family and ask them if he walked his horse last night.

Don't be stupid.

How can I accuse the mayor's son? And without evidence?

It's your job to investigate, isn't it?

It's my job, but...

Shintaro.

Forget about it.

We evacuees will have no place to go if the villagers hate us.

We'll just have to bear it.

After that, many other families' fields were vandalized in the village.

And then a rumour started.