11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The choices of youth, and their repercussions, July 6, 2004
This review is from: No Regrets for Our Youth [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"No Regrets for our Youth" is a drastically different film that I had assumed from the box cover and title. It gives every appearance of a winsome love story, full of smiles and charming tragedies. It is, instead, a political powerhouse that speaks of sacrifice, betrayal of ideals and iron will in the face of adversity. The particular cause in this film is the rise of the militarists in Japan, and the suppression of academic freedom.
The story is a love-triangle between three people, Noge, the driven political idealist, Itokawa, the practical idealist, and Yukie, the lovely daughter of a college professor who has been sacrificed on the political alter. Yukie must chose between a life of suffering with Noge, or a life of relative comfort with Itokawa, knowing that to chose him means betraying the ideals that her father suffered for.
Setusko Hara, known in Japan as the "Eternal Virgin," is simply incredible in "No Regrets for our Youth." I am more accustomed to seeing her in Ozu's films, playing the light-hearted and affectionate daughter. Here, she shows incredible strength in body and spirit, finding her heart by hard labor in a farmer's field. Kurosawa obviously saw something in her that Ozu did not, and brought out a surprising side to the lovely and popular actress.
"No Regrets for our Youth" is a political film, a feminist film, and a film of high ideals. It is also a great film to watch. Kurosawa tried to balance his message with his entertainment, and this film is heavier on the message than his later works, but it still shows his style and flare, and is completely enjoyable.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Regrets for Our Youth, January 14, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: No Regrets for Our Youth [VHS] (VHS Tape)
It's often said Kurosawa's films just discribe "men". Looking at other works, I have to say that kind of critisim is agreeable to a certain degree. (although I love his films) However, this "No Regrets for Our Youth" is quite different. It shows us how one young woman gets independent under a terrible circumstance, World War Two. She never gives up her brief whatever happens. I'm sure this film shows different aspect from other Kurosawas. Pls remeber this was made just after Japan was defeated by U.S. and its allies. I assume a lot of Japanese must have been given energy for living.
I wanted Kurosawa-san to have directed more files like this.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of Akira Kurosawa's most nakedly political films, December 16, 2002
This review is from: No Regrets for Our Youth [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Japan's greatest director, Akira Kurosawa, broke with the onus of having worked under Japan's fascist government with this exposition-heavy politcal melodrama, detailing the suppression of the anti-militarist student movement of the 1930s, and Japan's descent into dictatorship. A classic love triangle plays out on a politcal stage; the woman in its center prefers the romantic pro-democracy activist, and follows her heart in a way which recaptures lost Japanese honor and simplicity. It's also an interesting feminist parable, about a determined young woman who gives up social privilege to gain own independence. The film is rather talky and may lose those who don't have at least a passing familiarity with Japan's 1930s invasion of Manchuria, and the nation's inexorable march into World War II. But even when applying himself to reverse propaganda, Kurosawa is capable of delicious cinematic poetry. Worth checking out, although it's admittedly no "Ran."
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