Hiroshima 1995
Written: Dec 08 '02 (Updated Nov 01 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: outstanding information
Cons: n/a
The Bottom Line: Pray for those serving and those waiting at home
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| susidee34's Full Review: Hiroshima |
I am not a history buff, in fact know little about historical happenings in the world. I grew interested in the Hiroshima bombing incident from, of all things, the Godzilla movies. You would think meeting Paul Tibbets, Jr., the pilot that flew the plane that dropped the bomb, would have garnered more interest in this event than a stupid movie, but an offbeat comment by writer & director Ishiro Honda nudged my interest.
If you aren't there personally you cannot relate to the devastation that a bombing can do and the ramifications from that bombing. We've seen pictures of the destruction, the demolished lives and buildings, but not to the effect that the original machine of destruction heralded on the world, known by the name of "Little Boy".
Hiroshima was written by John Hopkins & Toshiro Ishido, directing credits to Koreyoshi Kurahara & Roger Spottiswoode and was released as a docu-drama min-series for PBS.
If you are fortunate enough to get your hands on this gem [I'm still waiting for the copy from Netflix, 4 months now] do not step into it thinking you are going to see an epic full of whistles and bells. No, this is not Tora! Tora! Tora! or Pearl Harbor or any of the myraid of war movies you have become accustomed to.
As a docu-drama it contains a good deal of live footage from the era, including interviews with participants involved. Yes, it is reinacted in some parts, there are actors playing parts, but it also reverts to actual events and people.
This is not a pretty movie and it isn't intended to be. War is not glorious, it is not pretty. It is evil and hedonistic, yet it seems it is also necessary.
Hiroshima is about the events leading up to the devastating and corruptive bombing of that city to prompt an end to World War II. It is general against general, world leader against world leader, soldier against soldier. But even more important, it is human against human.
We see inside the war rooms, enter the thought processes, listen to the murmurings of those that must make this impossible decision. We see the complete destruction of that city and the confusion and pain of the few survivors. We also watch the men responsible look into each other's eyes and hearts and realize what they were doing.
Yes, when they returned from the mission they celebrated. There was joy and the resultant end of the war. Then we slip into Japan and the people touched by this terror. Children, small and defenseless were maimed, killed, orphaned. Adults were left staring into empty cribs, empty beds.
I believe this is the first time I was so affected by what war really is, what it really does, and the end result.
Granted, through this bombing many millions of lives were saved world wide. I know it had to happen, or something like it, but in my heart I cry. I shake my head and ask why. And once again we are facing a similar situation, once again we are sending our men/women, boys/girls to fight a battle that seems to have no end, no resolution.
It seems we do not learn, it seems no one learns.
The movie is often spoken in Japanese with English subtitles. Filming for the most part was done in Japan with predominately Japanese actors, a few caucasians. The film carries an almost sepia appearance to it to reflect the quality of filming during the actual event.
It does not take sides, it does not point fingers. It does reveal mistakes that were made on both sides, miscommunications, misunderstandings. Translations that did not come across correctly, timing that was off. Hesitations and ponderings that pushed America to finally take action.
Could it have been allievated? Perhaps, but to what end?
I watched 13 Days the other night and saw so many similar situations. A word taken the wrong way, a gesture not given, waiting 5 minutes too long to answer. We were so close yet again.
I herald this outstanding production and I highly recommend its viewing. So much as been forgotten, pushed aside. Perhaps it is time to remember once again.
Hiroshima has the following awards:
WON -
Eddie, Best edited episode, American Cinema Editors
Gemini, Best Direction, Best Actor, Best TV Mini-Series Gemini Awards
Humanitas Prize
NOMINATIONS -
A whole dang bunch
from the web page of Paul Tibbets, Jr. ***
....."At approximately 2:00 on the morning of August 6th, the Enola Gay, which was carrying an atomic bomb (Little Boy), started on the long flight from Tinian. Two observation planes carrying cameras and scientific instruments followed behind her.
At 8:09, the crew of the Enola Gay could see the city appear below; it was time to drop the bomb. Just then, they received a message indicating that the weather was good over Hiroshima. The bomb was released at 8:16 a.m."......
Personally
In July, 1984, I stood in the living room of Paul Tibbets, Jr. and found a open and gregarious gentlemen with haunted eyes. I relish my meeting with this outstanding war hero yet I identify with his own inner turmoil. As he said, the mission was needed to save millions of lives world wide, still he remains affected by his participation and his duty. A true officer and gentlemen.
Now about Godzilla, in case you were wondering just where my wandering mind was going. When Ishiro Honda conceived the idea of this giantic beast, it served as his words to the United States, revealing the destruction of his glorious home. Not wanting to create an even worse situation, always the proper Japanese gentleman, Ishirô Honda devised a creature that was reanimated by radioactive fallout and wrecked havoc on his city.
It seems the parody did not work because the Americans took the beast to heart and love it to this day. We remain oblivious to Honda's cry, his pain. Still living in a world of miscommunication.
Thanks,
Susi
Please visit this website, you will find it very interesting:
*** http://www.theenolagay.com/
Pray for peace and understanding today on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Pray our world leaders do not have further miscommunications and misunderstandings. Pray there are no hesitations or words lost in translation.
Related movies:
Enola Gay & The Atomic Bombing of Japan
Afternote:
On 11/1/2007, Paul Tibbets, Jr. passed away in Columbus, Ohio.
Recommended:
Yes
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susidee34
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Member: SusiDee
Location: Gastonia NC
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It's easier to build a child than repair an adult
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