AKATSUKI NI INORU [Main Title]

Japanese propaganda film providing an excellent picture of the Japanese attitude to war through two heroes, Kuki and Ishikawa, and a horse, Taro.

A horse farm is run by a mother and two daughters, one of whom is married to Ishikawa, an infantryman fighting against China. The married daughter leaves home, the farm being left in the charge of manager Kuki. Kuki, a reservist, is called up but before going becomes betrothed to the younger daughter. Champion horse of the farm Taro is requisitioned for the army and is assigned to Kuki's unit. Kuki's unit entrains for the front, and he finds himself in the same unit as Ishikawa. Troops commanded by Kuki are sent to outflank the Chinese, while the infantry pin the Chinese frontally. Outflanking forces meet with difficulties and have to send a message requesting help to Divisional HQ. Kuki dispatches Taro with his ostler. After the ostler is wounded, Taro gets through alone. The whole division then carries through a victorious attack ending in the capture of a Chinese walled city, where Ishikawa is killed. His widow swears to raise their son to be an honour to her dead husband and a glory to the emperor. The film closes with the triumphant entry of the division into the captured Chinese city, Kuki carrying the ashes of Ishikawa on the horse Taro.

35mm