Yesterday
15th September 1974
A young man has arrived.
As I did before him,
he came alone.
They had said:
"We'll come back for you."
"No matter how long it takes,"
"we will come back."
When the acacia flowers fall
After crossing mountains and rivers We shall reach Changchun
Now there are no more bandits
The sun sets over the snow
My sword weeps
The troops advance through the desert of sand
Even if our helmets freeze
On the frontline for the Fatherland
We have fought this far…
I will come back.
When the acacia flowers fall
After crossing mountains and rivers We shall reach Changchun
Now there are no more bandits
The sun sets over the snow
My sword weeps
The troops advance through the desert of sand
Even if our caps freeze
On the frontline for the Fatherland
We have fought this far
And we shall fight until the end of winter Farewell
The troops advance through the desert of sand
Even if our caps freeze
On the frontline for the Fatherland
We have fought this far…
Come on.
It's over…
Put me in jail.
What is over?
You wanted to be a pilot, right?
That song you were singing.
Did you learn it in the houses of pleasure?
Don't be embarrassed!
It's not as if I didn't know of this sort of pleasure with women.
You've never been with a woman?
Anyway, it's not a good time to be thinking of women.
Come on,
tell me.
I started at the School of Officers
to be a pilot.
They said
that I will not be a pilot.
Because I'm scared of heights.
But,
they told me there is a way.
They put in just enough gas
to reach the American ships.
Not enough to come back.
They said they would give me something
to take away the fear of heights, and the fear.
But you,
you couldn't do it, right? Tell me why.
Onoda.
Look at me.
I am Major Taniguchi Yoshimi.
You never heard of the Nakano School's annex at Futamata?
You will not be a pilot.
But, there are other ways to be proud.
Do you know why you did not get in the plane?
Because you don't want to die.
3 MONTHS LATER
You refuse to drink with your father?
I don't drink anymore.
You?
Where will you be posted?
- I don't know yet. - How is that possible?
You must have some idea.
Your brother is on good terms with the Staff.
- He could… - No, thank you.
Your body is the Fatherland.
Don't let it fall into enemy hands.
If you are made prisoner, use it to end to your life.
Are you ready to die for the Emperor?
Answer me.
4.30 pm: arrival in Lubang Welcomed by the Captain Hayakawa.
The Americans have taken Luzon.
They're approaching.
Their attack will be massive.
The airfield must be destroyed as soon as possible.
Then the harbour facilities in Vigo, Tilik and Looc.
Another urgent task: storing the food and ammunitions in the mountains.
Gentlemen, thank you.
I haven't finished, we must…
Your instructions have been heard. Gentlemen.
Lieutenant Suehiro, Suicide Boats Squad.
Lieutenant Onoda.
Your instructions cannot be executed.
They are orders, not instructions.
That's not the way to repel the enemy.
As soon as the enemy's fleet is in sight, my squadron will attack.
I was sent here to prepare a local autonomous resistance.
I must lead the garrison in that purpose.
"Lead", yes, not "Command".
The command belongs to Captain Hayakawa.
Whatever.
The Staff has determined a strategy: the guerrilla!
I have official orders.
Our forces will soon regain control of the sky.
Your lack of experience serves you badly.
Good!
Drink a little, we're leaving soon.
The men were expecting to rest here, maybe spend the night.
Some of them are sick.
Look.
I don't know what you're used to,
but it's no longer time for rest.
Let's go!
How dare you act behind my back?
You have worn these men out!
What more do you want of them?
What's up with you?
The airfield must not fall into enemy hands.
- I'm applying my orders. - Enough! I'm getting these men back!
I will find others.
Captain!
Clear the way!
Put him down!
He's got kidney stones.
As long as the stone is there, he'll suffer.
Excuse me.
The Mayor of Lubang is here.
Get him out.
Captain Hayakawa. Let me take command.
- Dirty Donkos! - The enemy is drawing closer.
He says our men stole coffee and rice from his farmers.
Stop that!
Filthy Donkos!
Always complaining!
Go home and prey that the Yanks land!
There are no thieves in my regiment!
Get him out!
Get out!
Let me take command.
I'll be better tomorrow morning.
It's from Tilik!
The Americans are in Tilik!
What's going on here?
Who told you to do that?
Pull yourself together!
Where is Second-in-Command Kuroda?
- Calm down! - Lieutenant!
The coffee has disappeared!
It was there yesterday!
Get off me!
It's been stolen!
It's been stolen! Lieutenant! We have to find it!
A stretcher for the Captain!
Captain Hayakawa!
We have to reach the Radar Squadron at Camp 900!
The Captain orders…
Kozuka.
Why is it called "Camp 900"?
This mountain is 900 meters high.
Lieutenant Suehiro…
What happened? Where are your men?
The enemy ships were barely 200 metres away.
We had hidden our boats there full of explosives.
But…
When we started embarking, they took us by surprise.
All of my men.
But…
you were with your men?
Do you doubt my word?
I jumped in the sea and swam.
What else do you know?
The Radar Squadron, did you see them when you got here?
They were all killed in Tilik.
There was nothing but burnt bodies.
The Americans are already inland.
Here there are only the sick.
In a tent over there.
What is it you have?
We don't know.
Maybe typhus.
The enemy is on his way.
We'll take you with us.
Please,
let us kill ourselves here.
What's going on?
- I just killed an American sentinel. - Where?
A kilometer from here.
We can't stay here.
Lieutenant.
We'll wait till the enemy's here.
We will take them with us.
What is that?
"Chewing Gum".
Still soft.
Lieutenant.
What do we do now?
You know,
some of them haven't eaten for more than two days.
The situation is too uncertain.
Before anything,
we need to reorganise.
Let's go to the food supply cache.
We have to evaluate how long we can hold out.
- You took some extra rice! - Get off me!
You, stop whining!
I saw him! He took some more!
Never again.
If the enemy attacked during a meal, we'd all be dead in 2 minutes.
To prevent annihilation, I propose we split in 2 rations
Erm…
in 2 sections.
The men agree with me.
He is no longer able to fight.
He might even want to turn himself in.
We can't trust him.
Nor can we trust the soldiers under his influence.
They behave like pigs.
We'll choose the most trustworthy men.
He can keep the others.
Shimada.
He talks little but he's robust and strong-willed.
Akatsu will follow Shimada everywhere.
How about them?
They are always together.
Oshima, Sakamoto and Sato.
The "Triplets of Mito".
We'll split into two groups. It's the best solution.
- Kozuka. - Yes.
Shimada.
Akatsu.
Oshima, Sakamoto and Sato, you will be part of my unit.
The rest goes with Lt. Suehiro.
Take two bags of rice and go now.
Okay! Let's separate!
Right! Listen well.
I chose you because you still behave like men.
A Japanese soldier does not obey his stomach!
With our stock, we can hold out for months.
Do you think there are other Japanese soldiers left?
We will know it soon.
But in any case,
it doesn't change our goal.
What goal?
Resistance!
Harass the Americans with our attacks.
Take back control of the field through guerrilla warfare.
We must keep on singing our songs!
Lieutenant.
The Triplets of Mito have left.
Lieutenant.
The Triplets of Mito have left.
What do we do?
They've run away. Do we go after them?
No.
Leave them.
We have more important things to do.
What's wrong with him?
It's a chill.
He'll be fine.
Listen.
The enemy has landed here.
That's the best spot to set up a military base.
We'll make sure of it and decide of an action.
The four of us, well organized, can kill hundreds of men.
We're here.
We have to go up this side of the mountain.
From there, we'll have a global view.
But…
with rain like this, it's dangerous.
There are mud slides.
It rapidly gets impossible to know where you are.
As soon as it calms down, we go.
The troops advance through the desert of sand
Even if our caps freeze
On the frontline for the Fatherland
We have fought this far
I see you were lucky!
I found plenty of them.
What are they?
Bring me the machete.
It's huge!
They are "Gonchis".
Did you see anything?
Hear gunfire?
Nothing at all.
It's better when it's cooked.
But even raw, it's good.
Don't!
Be careful.
Don't eat this white part. It's poisonous.
There are a lot on the island.
But there are mainly bananas and coconuts.
You can practically live off them and be healthy.
How do you know all that?
My family has a farm. We all work here.
When we needed to make coal,
I used to spend a whole month alone in the mountain.
That's why I know about fruits and trees.
The Triplets of Mito.
Lieutenant!
Where are the Americans? Answer me!
Where are they from?
No Yankees!
Yankees gone!
No Yankees!
War over!
Make any sudden moves, and you're dead!
Watch out!
Under cover!
Kozuka, go around!
See any more of them?
It's clear on my side!
Same here!
Anyone hurt?
They said "War over".
You heard them, didn't you?
What if we killed people we're no longer at war with?
Who fired the first bullet?
Us?
The Donkos did.
But…
They said "War over".
They fired at us. We're still at war!
Never let go off it!
An enemy is an enemy,
whether American or Filipino.
There's an enemy, there's a mission!
It's time that I tell you something.
I am…
I am not a soldier of the regular army.
I received a secret training, in a secret school
where I was trained for a mission.
- What… What sort of training? - You will listen to me, without talking.
Bad boys!
Good-for-nothings!
Scum!
That's what you're called, right?
I grew up in a small seaside town.
Doesn't matter which one.
Just imagine the hot, still summer evenings.
Now, imagine…
Thousands of mosquitos flying around in the night.
You know the noise they make.
Well imagine,
the day they disappeared,
the silence that fell.
It's the day we got a chemical product from America to paint on the walls.
In fact, they didn't all disappear.
The ones that stood on the ceiling were still there.
Hanging upside down.
An uncomfortable position and a stupid behaviour
for any mosquito.
Yet, they are the ones who survived!
You are that type.
You land on the ceiling.
You don't know it yet but
you have a rare gift for survival.
There is warfare…
and there is secret warfare.
SECRET WARFARE
Intelligence,
Decoding of enemy propaganda,
dissimulation:
we will teach you all of these techniques.
But above all,
we'll teach you to think and decide alone.
Because this war, you'll sometimes have to fight it alone.
Secretly.
So we will teach you some secrets.
Secret n° 1:
You don't have the right to die.
All the others may, if they want to but not you!
Always,
you must find another solution.
ALWAYS!
Honour does exist, of course.
Simply, in your case, it is no longer in the same place.
You, alone, will decide where it is.
On the ceiling, for example.
Because the principle ruling secret warfare,
in the final analysis,
is that each one is his own officer.
Among the soldiers you'll meet in the field,
some will be recalcitrant,
as they will ignore the real nature of your mission,
and they will hang on to their old reflexes.
So,
you must find the most trustworthy men.
In secret warfare,
lightness and precision are fundamental.
It will be better to be few,
than in bad company.
From Sado The wind blows through grass and leaves
Is Sado not a nice place to live?
"Come", you tell me.
But I cannot go there easily.
Sado is far away, beyond the waves of the sea.
From Sado I can reach Izumozaki…
You are wrong.
It is not Izumozaki!
It's "From Sado I can reach Kashiwazaki by boat"!
What are you talking about, "Kashiwa"? No, it's Izumozaki.
No!
From Sado
I feel the warmth of Niigata brought in on the wind.
But why does your voice not reach me?
That's how it goes in Katsutaro Komori's version!
From Sado
I can reach Izumozaki by boat
That's it? Do you agree?
But why do my feelings not reach you?
That's how it ends, right?
From Sado
I can hear the song of the soldiers in Futamata
But why do they sing no more
with me?
I am also very fond of that song.
Do you know why?
That song
- sit down —
has something special.
What do you think it is?
It's from Sado?
You like to have fun, right?
I have a question for you.
Is this the right place to have fun?
No.
Don't you think you can have fun and learn at the same time?
Let's try again.
What is special about this song?
I'll put that differently.
When I sang it, did I sing the same thing as you?
No.
Right then, do the same thing as me.
From Sado
I can hear the soldiers singing in Futamata
Every word is important.
I didn't say: "Sing the same thing as me".
I said: "Do the same thing as me".
From Sado
I can feel the warmth of Niigata brought on the wind
But why do my feelings not reach…
I am trying to teach you something.
If you don't understand what I am saying,
you shouldn't even be here.
It means I was wrong
and should have left you in your tavern.
For the last time,
do the same thing as me.
From Futamata
I feel the Major's arm taking me to glory
But why can't I sit back at my table?
That's what is special about it:
whatever the lyrics are, it's the same song.
It's immortal.
The same goes for secret warfare.
Improvisation, adaptation, initiative: that's the key.
What matters is that the song keeps on being sung.
You,
you only,
are your own officer!
Your training is coming to an end.
In a few hours, you'll be far away from here.
You are no longer ordinary soldiers.
Lies, treason, humiliation. Nothing is prohibited for you!
Nothing!
In the eyes of the country, it will be an act of infamy.
Nobody will know that you fight with honour!
You alone will know that you acted gloriously!
Expect no reward.
This is our last secret:
the only reward of secret warfare,
is integrity!
Integrity!
It's glory without glory.
Secret glory.
You are forbidden from killing yourself!
It may take 3 or 5 years, but whatever happens,
We will be back for you!
We will be back!
You may have to live on coconuts.
If so, live on coconuts!
Eat roots!
Eat dirt!
Whatever happens, survive!
Yes!
Then,
I've received orders for the Lubang mission.
First of all, destroy all infrastructure.
Then wipe out the enemy, stop him from landing.
Hold the island
until our forces return.
That's why I came here with that much ammunition.
Others, were surely posted to strategic islands in the Pacific.
The four of us
can easily blend in on this island, learn everything about it.
And when our troops return,
we can give them all our information
so they can set up a strategic base to fight from.
If the Yankees have left the island, that's good news for us!
This island is ours.
Whoever questions that is our enemy!
You can be pathfinders.
But,
it's entirely your decision.
If you don't want this,
go and surrender.
I'm with you, Lieutenant.
Until victory comes.
I am with you too.
It was the first enemy I kill.
Me too.
Our first task is to travel all around the island,
to spot every place, so that we know every bit of it.
Let's call it "Wakayama Plain".
It's my hometown.
Come on! Let's move along.
"The Cliff of the Snake".
What about your fear of heights?
No more problem.
"Machiko's Breast".
I once knew a Machiko who had breasts.
Erm… That's not it…
It's…
I meant to say… erm…
"The Camel's Hill"
Let's say "The Camel's hill".
Call it what you will.
"The south shore"…
Our home base will be the jungle.
No donko will dare come in.
They know they'll get killed.
But,
we need permanent, rapid access
to the ports and above all the airfield.
Access is primordial. The intermediary zones are key:
plains and low mountains.
That's where it's more complex.
We'll pass "messages" to them.
So they know we put up with their farming but the land is ours.
Once they're constantly afraid, the island will be ours.
Questions?
What about food?
How long can we hold out with the rice that's left?
"The rice that's left"?
Akatsu…
For once you've opened your mouth, what are you talking about?
You mean, before you stole some,
or after?
Stop it!
I have a real question.
What messages will we pass to the Donkos?
- Over there! - Yes!
From Sado
The leaves and the grass are beaten by the wind
That's enough! Let's go!
I've finished pouring it!
Light the fire!
We'll call this "Smoke signals".
We'll do them at each harvest, everywhere.
If there are Japanese forces or liaison officers in the surrounding islands,
they will see these fires and understand that Lubang is still at war.
Hold it tighter.
It will be more resistant.
Tighten it.
Just before leaving Japan, I made a pair of these for my daughter.
You have a daughter?
She was 2 when I left.
She must be in school now.
What's her name?
We're almost out of matches.
The Lieutenant and I will do a 'requisition' tonight.
They only attack me.
It's the rice you always have in your pockets.
I'm hungry all the time.
You should lie down some more.
But what…
We don't even have any enemies.
Who are we fighting against!?
You think too much.
Think of something else.
It helps get to sleep.
Me,
I try to remember the faces and names of my classmates.
It's surprising but,
I can remember all the faces, even those I thought I'd forgotten.
It sends me straight to sleep without me even realizing.
If he didn't want to surrender, Akatsu would have taken his gun.
He must heading to the nearest army base.
The one in Looc.
I don't think so! He must have gone to find bananas.
I'm sure he's heading towards Tilik.
- With no weapon, he risks… - Well, let him die.
He asked for it.
Shimada. I take care of it.
Let me go.
I don't want to stay with him.
- When it's Akatsu, you… - That's enough!
Fight if you must,
but realise your responsibilities.
Don't move from here.
JUNE 2ND — DEPARTURE OF THE LIEUTENANT
It's raining!
That should be enough, right?
No, not enough!
What?
We need more!
How much more do you need?
Bring more!
It was in the last letter I received…
two years ago.
It's my whole family.
Is that your wife?
Yes.
The little one looks like you.
Her name is Keiko.
HUT FINISHED
When the acacia flowers fall
After crossing mountains and rivers we'll be in Changchun
Now there are no more bandits
The sun sets over the snow
My sword weeps
The troops advance through the desert of sand
Even if our caps freeze
On the frontline for the Fatherland
We have fought this far
And we shall fight until the end of winter Farewell
I'm 20…
Finally, you're up.
Happy birthday.
Happy birthday, Akatsu.
Happy birthday.
BIRTHDAY AKATSU
I would have died alone.
Thank you for not having abandoned me.
Does a family,
abandon its children?
Don't doubt your family.
Come, rest a little more.
Look, it's coming apart because you didn't double stitch.
You have to sew and sew again.
That way, it's solid.
That's it, it won't rain any more.
We destroy and clean everything up.
That's all you found?
Hey! We live here!
Not anymore.
- Can't you wait for five minutes? - For you to finish sewing his clothes?
Are you kidding?
Come on, get out!
Since when do you give me orders? Show me your stripes.
What's up with you, stupid farmer from Mié!?
I don't need stripes!
- Stop! - That's enough!
You'll finish your sewing later. Hurry up.
It's been weeks since we last ate meat. That's the priority.
We have to sleep near a village. There'll be cows there.
No hesitation.
Unlike you, we've walked all day.
So our priority is not to collapse.
We stay in the centre tonight, we'll eat bananas.
Why do you refuse to see what's obvious?
We all need meat!
What's obvious for me now, is that I want to kick your ass!
What?
Repeat what you just said?
What do you want?
You're all mouth!
You've got no guts!
Coward!
Wait and see, you asshole!
You're all mouth.
One day, I'll kill you.
Are you exhausted enough now?
We'll camp here.
Latrines.
In Bago, there is cattle right? Yes.
And besides,
this is the closest village.
Right. It's decided, tomorrow is meat day.
Shimada is right.
We all need it.
Shimada, can you see them?
Shimada!
He is breathing!
Take him away!
I can't see…
He was…
our companion.
He was trustworthy and brave.
He taught us a lot… right?
I really regret my harsh words… and that I punched you.
I won't forget you.
Should we talk to him as if he were here?
Is that what we should do?
I don't know what to say to you…
I wish you would tell me,
if you died…
for something, or for nothing!
Because here,
nobody can tell me!
Look at me.
- Those peasants were armed. - So were we.
No! What's with this attitude!
You deserve the firing squad for sedition!
You deserve it since you first ran away!
I excused you because you were young but that's over now!
Pick that up.
Go on. We only have knives.
Pick it up.
Filthy Donko.
Pick it up.
He's the one who killed Shimada!
KILL HIM!
Where are you going?
I'm going to Shimada's grave.
You don't do that in the middle of the night.
Tomorrow.
Go back to bed.
To Sado…
What are you doing?
The wind beats the grass and the leaves.
Stop that.
I want to see the city of Sado with my own eyes.
Lieutenant.
Leave me my version.
It's not because there's only two of us left
that you're safe!
Do you hear me!?
You'll always be in danger!
As Japanese and as soldiers,
we'll do our best in this new year.
Thank you for this meal.
You have to come out.
Whatever we did, they know we acted as soldiers.
We had no way of knowing, but the war is over.
No harm will be done to you.
You have to surrender.
That's the truth.
When I surrendered,
the islanders were kind to me.
People sent by the Japanese government are here with me
You can come out in peace.
Hiroo.
I hope you can hear us.
It's your brother. It's Toshiro.
Hiroo.
If you can hear us, come out unarmed.
Hiroo.
My son.
This is a poem I wrote for you.
"The South wind blows"
"On the shore I stand"
"Wait for a voice"
Hiroo.
I know you are doing your duty.
But you have nothing more to prove.
The situation has changed.
Please…
Try to change the way you see things.
No…
It's not him.
He never dresses in western clothes.
It's written in Japanese and English.
They talk about a war in Indochina.
But Japan doesn't seem to be involved.
And now some sport.
Baseball fans are having some memorable times.
The New York Yankees flew in Japan to play a friendly game
A crowd of supporters went to the airport to see Joe DiMaggio…
No…
Bullshit.
These are reprints.
They start from the originals and tamper with the articles.
Some are entirely fake and others just reworked.
Everything they don't want us to read, they simply remove.
It's the same with the radio,
the real programs are rigged and rebroad casted quickly.
The speed with which they do it, I must say, it's impressive.
But from what I learned in Futamata, I'm not that dazzled.
And the classified ads?
This… "Boys wanted/Steak Diner"?
What is that?
It means nothing.
And each time they talk about the army, I understand nothing.
Sometimes it's the "Police reserve troops".
Another, it's the "Self-Defense Forces".
They never talk of manoeuvres.
If they're trying to fool us,
why don't they write coherent things, easy to understand?
Imagine…
Someone from the moon reading our news, he wouldn't understand a thing.
They're more clever than we'd imagine.
They know that what is complicated, and even incomprehensible, sounds true!
We have to save the batteries. We listen only at night.
But,
it's important to listen and decode.
It's important.
Also, today, at Tokyo train station
the express train "Tsubame" has been launched with due pomp.
As President Sogo cut the green ribbon,
The "Tsubame" express train launched its new service.
The new "light green" train snow roll along all the tracks
Okay, let's see.
It's possible that Japan has become a democracy.
But the government still appears to wish to build the "Great East Asia".
And this "Self-Defense Force" is obviously still fighting against the Americans.
Communist China, Mao Zedong, that's believable.
Mao must have kicked out the Americans and English to get Japanese backing.
We have the same goal really. It's normal to join forces.
Let's call this alliance:
"East Asian Coprosperity League"
I see.
It's strange, but from a certain viewpoint, quite logical.
Do you think those are the only two members of the League?
Northern Siberia may have rejected Soviet atheism
to join the League.
Siberia?
Do you mean…
This region…
Russia would be surrounded by the League states?
It really is possible!
And I think we could add Java and Sumatra.
In '44, twenty people from Futamata went to Java to lead guerrilla warfare.
I see…
The big question for us is:
where do the Philippines stand?
You're right.
Think of the planes.
Five years ago, there were 2 a day, maximum.
Since then, it's constantly increased, up to 10 a day.
This alone shows there's intense military activity near our zone.
The war is here, very close!
Do you think what "Sony" says,
about the fighting in Indochina,
is that part of the League's conquest?
- Of course! - It's just close to us!
And consider this.
Organising a fake expedition with Akatsu,
finding people who look like my father and brother.
Imagine the money and time involved,
getting information on my family,
and training 2 people to imitate their voices!?
All that to fool and capture TWO soldiers!?
This means that our island, here, is a highly strategic point!
I always knew it!
If there wasn't an imminent Japanese operation in the zone '
they would never do that!
The army will soon send
a reconnaissance team to establish contact with us.
Or rather…
Surely first…
a lone agent.
We have to watch out for the slightest…
My father's haïku!
- Your father's haïku? - Wait, wait, wait…
Let's say this was really my father.
Then there must be a hidden meaning in the haïku… a message.
"The South wind…"
"The South wind blows…"
"On the shore I stand Wait for a voice."
Incredible!
With your memory, you would have been a great recruit for Futamata!
Stop it!
"The South wind blows…"
"On the shore I stand"
"Wait a voice"
What sort of code could it be?
Do you recall that the old man said something after…
That was…
That's it:
"You must change the way you see things"
Or something like that. That sounds strange, doesn't it?
Major Taniguchi used to say: "Each word is important".
VOICE
SHORE
- We must find other combinations? - I don't know. I'm thinking.
BLOW VOICE RIVER
"A voice blows on the shore…"
"Wait for… the wind"?
"Wait for the wind."
"On the shore I stand."
Shore…
WAIT SHORE SOUTH
It was to be read horizontally!
- It's an injunction! - You're right! It's incredibly clever!
It's all totally coherent.
So that was it… "Change the way of seeing."
The simplicity of the haïku and simplicity of the code!
The South shore…
If we have to wait there, it's because something important will arrive there.
The agent.
That's it!
Since we've been here, we never swam in the sea.
It's a good island.
Yes…
We could have come across a much worse place.
Even in Japan, you know, there aren't many places like this.
Right now, I don't miss Japan.
Well,
apart from the women!
We will return home as heroes.
You'll have all the women you want.
You know…
I'm glad to have you as a leader.
Me too.
I couldn't have had a better second-in-command.
Things are made right.
- Kozuka! - I'm coming!
"Houston… Radio check…"
"The team can now clearly see the surface of the moon.
"I'm at the foot of the ladder…"
"The surface looks like powder…"
"A very fine powder."
"I'm getting ready to step down…"
"We're all good, we prepare the camera."
"That's one small step… for man…"
"This is 21st of July 1969…"
"it's 11.56 AM."
Rain… Typhoon…
Don't kill me…
She's more afraid of the Typhoon than of us.
As we haven't killed her, she thinks we're nice guys.
You're right. She's retarded.
When do you think the rain will stop?
At least 4 weeks.
If we chase her away, she'll talk to people.
And tomorrow, the Donkos will be here.
That means,
Destroying the hut now.
Erasing our tracks.
Okay.
We'll keep her tonight and decide tomorrow.
Okay.
I'll stand guard.
Where do you live?
Tilik?
Vigo?
I love… Lubang.
Lubang good.
What's your name?
You?
Iniez.
Either we let her go.
Or…
What?
Come on, say it.
Or we keep her until the end of the rain…
or we get rid of her.
Aim!
I always cause you trouble.
We didn't have any choice.
There's no more risk of infection.
I am going to do the laundry!
What are you talking about?
You can hardly walk. If you go and do laundry…
You said I have to walk!
Not that far.
You can't run if anything happens.
Stop.
I can see you're in pain, you'll reopen the wound.
Shut up!
I don't want to sit around and do nothing anymore.
I can't stand being in that rotting hut!
Kinshichi…
Where is your pistol?
My pistol?
Don't tell me you put it in the river.
I don't understand, I put it there.
- Why did you do that? - But I swear to you…
It's gone with the stream!
Do you understand what you've done?
It will be carried to Brol.
You've lost your weapon!
I'll find it.
I'll go!
You stand guard here!
In 3 minutes if we haven't found it, we pick everything up at the hut.
Here, take this.
It's over.
Go!
Look.
It's a whirlpool.
It reverses the stream.
It's here!
I'm sorry I shouted.
Kinshishi!
Cut the rope!
They're fishermen, they don't have guns!
Shimada…
I won't forget you…
I will come back.
Captain Hayakawa,
Second-in-command Kuroda…
You have never been forgotten.
You are still here with me.
Sick soldiers of Camp 900…
Your sacrifice has not been forgotten.
Triplets of Mito…
You lost your lives here.
I forget none of you.
When the acacia flowers fall
After crossing mountains and rivers we'll be in Changchun
Now there are no more bandits
The sun sets over the snow
My sword weeps
The troops advance through the desert of sand
Even if our caps freeze
On the frontline for the Fatherland
We have fought this far
And we shall fight until the end of winter Farewell
I'd like to talk with you.
I know that you have endured
something long and difficult.
The war has been over…
since 1945.
Onoda-San.
What do you intend to do?
Die here?
Don't you want to return to Japan with me?
This song, how…?
Akatsu talked about it.
I've read everything that's been written about you.
Who sent you?
I'm just a tourist.
Onoda-San, you smoke, don't you?
I have also brought sweets.
You can't stay here.
I'd like to talk with you.
Take your things.
You know, in Japan, most people think you are dead.
Onoda-San,
how long have you been alone?
Please,
tell me your story.
Let's drink.
Sweet red beans.
I don't want to either.
But the situation requires it.
I live in peace,
you live in war.
Our two positions are not compatible.
But,
to resolve this contradiction, why not try drunkenness?
It might bring us the solution.
Onoda-San.
Aren't you ashamed to let me drink alone?
Me,
I've travelled a lot.
I've seen 50 countries!
And you?
Me, I…
I swore to myself I would find 3 things:
A wild panda,
Lieutenant Onoda.
And the Yeti!
In that order!
But all the same,
actually sitting here facing you,
sharing the same meal…
I never really imagined it.
Not even in my dreams.
I'm honoured.
We should sing.
Let us sing, Onoda-San!
Sing with me.
Taniguchi…
Yoshimi.
He's my direct superior.
Go and find him.
He will know what to do.
Find Major Taniguchi
and bring him back here.
It's heavier than I thought.
What do you call this place?
Kozuka Riverbank.
You will really come out of the forest, right?
You will come, right?
Yes.
I promise.
Then I'll see you in 2 weeks.
Would you have a book about the Philippines?
More precisely about the fighting in the Philippines.
During the Pacific War.
We have no military books.
I'm sorry.
In fact,
I need something else
Taniguchi-San.
I must apologise. I can't help you.
I have no more connection with my military activities.
Ah… I was so young.
As you know, everybody was involved in this war.
But you must remember Onoda Hiroo.
Well… I'm afraid… not…
But you must have heard of him.
And of Lubang too.
Everyone has heard of him.
He's the last soldier of the war.
I don't read the newspapers.
And there are soldiers everywhere.
With all the wars in this world.
You know what I mean.
From that war…
he's the last.
I repeat, I don't read newspapers. I only read books.
He says he won't come out of the jungle.
He says he needs an order.
I've just told you. I'm no longer connected to the army.
Why don't you ask the Self-defence Forces?
Onoda-San will only accept orders…
from you.
I don't know him. Neither him, nor that island.
I'm sorry, but
you offered me some tea earlier.
I think I'll have some.
TANIGUCHI RIVER BANK
Thank you very much.
That's where I met him.
He has given
names to some places.
There are mosquitos.
If we light a fire, it could attract more.
Onoda-San!
Lieutenant Onoda.
Reporting for orders.
By Order of the Chief of Staff.
September 19, 1945. 7pm.
Headquarters.
Firstly.
In accordance with Imperial Command, the 14th Army has ceased combat.
Secondly.
In accordance with the Chief of Staff order
N° 2.0.0.3,
The Special Squadron is demobilized.
Thirdly.
Units and individuals…
Thirdly.
Units and individuals under the Special Squadron
must stop immediately all military activity
And place themselves under the authority of the nearest senior officer.
Otherwise, they must surrender
to the American or Filippino forces.
Headquarters,
Yamashita Tomoyuki.
After having analysed general world trends, and those of Our Empire,
We have decided to settle the present situation with an exceptional measure:
We declare to Our good and loyal subjects,
that We have ordered Our government,
to inform the United States, Great Britain, China and the USSR,
that Our Empire accepts the terms of their common Declaration.
The prosperity of all Nations,
as well as the security and well-being of Our subjects,
such is the solemn burden We have inherited
and bear in Our heart.
It must have been difficult.
Now you are going to rest.