It is the summer of 1945… 3 1/2 years after the w*r… between Japan and the Allies began.
Despite initial successes the Japanese have seen the tide of battle turn against them.
The Americans have leapfrogged across the Pacific… sweeping the Japanese before them.
Japan’s Imperial fleet has been neutralized… its air force overpowered.
From the island air bases they now control… the Americans’ B-29 Flying Fortresses… are able to strike at the Japanese home islands.
A systematic fire-bombing campaign… is launched against cities and industrial centers.
It is the most devastating att*ck… against civilian targets ever carried out.
Meanwhile, in America… Robert Oppenheimer and other scientists… have spent three years working in secrecy… to develop a new type of b*mb.
They have at last succeeded.
But their achievement is not yet known to the world… and certainly not to the citizens of Hiroshima… in the summer of 1945.
All clear!
The enemy has gone!
All clear!
Well, c’mon!
All clear!
I’m still hungry.
I am, too.
We’ve got work to do first.
Father, is this wheat almost ready for harvesting?
I can’t wait.
I’m gonna eat so much bread!
Bread and bread and bread until I throw up.
Noodles!
I’m gonna eat noodles till I burst!
Gen.
Uh-huh?
Shinji.
Yep?
Look at it, boys.
Its life begins in the coldest season of the year.
The rain pounds it, the wind blows it… it’s crushed beneath people’s feet… but still the wheat spreads its roots and grows.
It survives.
So, let the wheat be an example to you, my boys.
Right?
We’re sick of that dumb ol’ story.
Sick of it, are you?
Yay!
Yay!
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Yay!
Yay!
Ayee!
Ayee!
Hiyah!
You do my mother and me great honor by coming here… and wishing me well in my service to the emperor.
Fight bravely, Oyama.
Banzai!
I’m off to join the army now… You get filthy blanket… Their dishes are made of metal… So are the chopsticks… One small scoop of rice in a tiny bowl… A bowl of rotten rice with some bugs on top.
I’m hungry.
I’m so hungry I’m dizzy.
I’m so hungry… I could eat a whole goat!
If you’ve got a ration stamp, today’s your lucky day.
The soup’s even got rice in it today.
Look at that!
I haven’t seen this much rice in weeks!
Hey!
Father, can we have some soup, too?
I’m sorry, boys.
Not today.
There’s no more ration stamps.
You’ll just have to be patient.
We’re hungry.
We’re starving.
Get outta my way!
What makes you think you can cut in line?
You wait your turn, or I’ll… What?
Who made you soup monitor, huh?
How dare you?
Get him!
Hit him hard right in… Wait!
Isn’t that terrible, Father?
Grown men fighting over a bowl of soup.
If they’re gonna fight, it should be over some fish.
Mother!
We’re home!
We’re back!
Did you miss us?
What’s to eat?
I’m starving.
There might be something.
Let’s see.
You were hiding something up there, weren’t you?
Sweet potato!
Wait a minute, Shinji.
Aren’t ya gonna share it?
No!
Come back here!
It’s not yours!
No!
You’ll just eat it all!
Gimme it!
I’m not kidding!
No!
No!
No!
Shinji!
Who do you think you are, you little runt?
Come here!
No!
Get away!
That does it!
Stop!
Stay away!
We’re supposed to share, and you know it.
Don’t you dare!
Give it to me!
You’re gonna get it!
Ow!
Shinji, you’re such a… Brat!
You’re gonna be so sorry!
OK.
Now give it!
Hey.
That’s mine.
Give it, Eiko.
You know that this is supposed to be for her.
What do you mean, for her?
Why’d she give it to us?
She was just being nice.
Mother needs to be strong for the baby that’s coming.
If you eat this potato, the baby will die.
Now, do you both still want it?
Eiko, go on, it’s all right, dear.
Let your brothers have it.
But, Mother, it’s not fair.
The baby needs it more than they do.
Here.
You take it.
Please, eat it for the baby.
Stop it, you two.
Come on.
You’ll get something later.
You know, dear, it’s a terrible thing… having to watch children go hungry.
And what’s worse, there’s hardly any food to be bought… even if we had the money.
We’ll just have to be patient, that’s all.
Ah!
What?
Don’t worry.
It’s just our baby moving around in there.
It tickled me.
What, again?
You know what that means, don’t you?
It’s strong… a healthy one.
It’s a healthy one, all… Ooh!
It’s got spirit.
What’re you laughing at?
The baby’s moving.
It wants to come out.
It’s moving?
But how?
It hasn’t been born yet.
It moved again.
That’s funny.
You know what?
I think it must be a boy.
You can never tell until it’s born.
Well, I can’t wait.
Oh, you just want another little brother to boss around.
Well, you can’t have this one, Gen… ’cause if it’s a boy, he’s gonna be my little brother.
So I suppose you’ll boss him around… and I’d hate to think what you’ll teach him.
It’d frighten me half to death.
Ha!
See?
You’d be a bad example.
No, I wouldn’t.
I didn’t mean it.
I was only joking.
You’re a good boy, Shinji.
I know you’ll be a good brother to the baby.
When’s it coming?
Come out, little brother.
Hurry it up.
Children, wake up!
Attention!
Attention!
Air raid!
Go to your shelters at once!
Air raid!
To your shelters!
Everyone in the shelter.
Eiko, bring your brothers.
Oh, no.
Come on, Gen.
We’ve got to go.
Wake Shinji up.
Come on.
Shinji, come on.
Just leave him to me, Eiko.
I’ll wake him up.
Wowww!
Rice, Shinji!
Look at it all!
And see?
Noodles… lots of ’em!
Where?
Real noodles?
Hey.
What’s going on?
This bowl’s empty!
You ate ’em all!
We’re supposed to share.
Get off!
Share what?
The noodles.
What is going on here?
Dunno.
What are we doing?
Hurry up, boy.
Suppose you want one to land on your head… is that what you want?
Bet it’s just another spy plane.
They never drop bombs on us.
We’re too boring.
How can you say that?
Have you forgotten the child from the 400 block who was sh*t?
Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka… They’ve come against all the big cities… and bombed them into ruins.
It’s serious, Gen.
I won’t have you making light of it.
There’s one thing that bothers me.
It’s like you said, every major city around us… has been bombed over and over again, but never Hiroshima.
The enemy has gone!
All clear!
The enemy has gone!
Ha!
Told ya!
All clear!
Return to your homes!
I knew it was just a spy plane.
So I had to wake up and get out of bed for nothing?
All safe and sound… Ohh!
Mother!
Are you all right?
Is it the baby?
Kimei, what’s wrong?
Just a little dizzy.
Kimei!
Mother!
Boys, go fetch the doctor!
Right!
Eiko, make up the bed.
Yes, Father.
Kimei, hang on.
It won’t be long.
The doctor should be coming in no time.
Hey, Gen, is Mother gonna die?
Oh, no!
Mother’s dying, isn’t she?
Shinji, shut up!
Mother’s not going to die.
Wake up, Doctor!
Wake up!
Our mother needs help!
Hurry up!
It’s really important!
She’s got my little brother in her tummy!
Slow down, boys.
Slow down.
I’ll die of a heart att*ck before we get there.
You should’ve thought of that before you got so fat.
Our mother’s sick, and if you don’t make her better… you’ll be sorry.
Will she be all right?
She’s suffering from severe malnutrition.
If she gets plenty to eat, her strength will return… and she should be fine.
Of course, that’s easier said than done.
It seems we don’t have enough food or medicine for anybody.
I’m sorry.
This is serious.
We’ve got to do something.
This is really serious.
We’ve really gotta do something.
What is it, Eiko?
What’s the matter?
It’s just that the last of the rice is gone, Father… and we have no money to buy any more.
Don’t worry.
Something will come along.
We’ll find the money.
We just have to keep at it and finish our work.
Then maybe we’ll get paid what we’re owed.
Eiko, you mustn’t overdo it.
You’re not very strong.
Oh, I’m all right.
I’m sure.
Hey.
Come here, Gen.
What is it?
Has anybody ever eaten a worm?
Eaten a worm?
Like a caterpillar?
I don’t know.
If they won’t make you sick, then Mother could eat them.
Idiot!
Good morning, boys.
I heard noises last night.
Hi, Mr.
Pak.
Everything all right?
Has the baby come?
Our mother’s sick.
The doctor, he said she’s got malnutrition.
That’s terrible, and just when she needs all her strength.
Somebody once told me carp’s blood is the best thing… for a woman in her condition.
Huh?
Carp?
Like the fish?
Yeah?
Gee, I sure didn’t know any of that stuff about carp’s blood.
If we could catch one for her, Mother would get all better.
So, let’s do it!
Yes, sir!
Sergeant!
Captain!
Move out!
Company, forward!
Rats!
Hold still!
Move over!
Look, Shinji.
Look at all the carp.
And they’re so big.
Scan the perimeter, Sergeant.
Any sign of the enemy?
Negative, sir.
Hey!
Look!
Look!
I think I caught one.
That was fast.
He must be hungry, too.
He almost pulled me in!
He’s a big one!
Really big!
Hang on, Shinji.
Don’t let go.
I won’t.
I’m going in after it.
Got him, Shinji!
See?
I can’t believe it!
Victory!
Now let’s take him home.
Don’t forget to tell Father who caught it.
Get out of here!
Dirty little thieves!
Let go of that fish!
You hit Gen!
You can hit me again, sir.
Really, you can hit me as much as you like.
Go on, but just let us keep the fish when you’re done.
Please, sir.
That’s right!
You can hit me as much as you want, too.
But give us the fish.
Go on.
I’m ready.
Will you tell me why you boys want that blasted carp?
It’s for our mother, sir.
She’s going to have a baby, and she’s not very well.
And Mr. Pak said carp blood’s the only thing that’ll help her.
Without it, my mother will get worse or even… You wouldn’t want my mother to die, would you?
Oh, please, help us.
Please save her.
You won’t?
Oh, no!
You’re a mean old fart, aren’t you?
Her ghost will come back and haunt you till you die!
How does the old saying go?
Be good to your parents while you can.
Very well.
Keep it.
Take the carp along to your mother, please.
You mean it, really?
Remember, old man, if you lie, you’ll go straight to hell.
Funny, I was just about to say the same thing to you two.
If you boys stole it, you know just what I’ll do to you.
We didn’t.
The old man gave it to us.
Don’t you believe us?
Cook it and give it to Mother.
It’s the best thing for a woman in her condition.
Hurry up and cook it… now.
Eiko, you heard him.
OK.
Will Mother get better now?
I hope she will.
You boys shouldn’t have to worry about such things.
I’ll just have to work harder.
I’d like to know if we’ll ever have enough food.
Will we?
Yes, son, when the w*r is over.
When will it be over?
It won’t be long.
Japan has all but lost the w*r.
Why do we keep on fighting if we’ve lost the w*r?
Why?
Because our government is run by madmen.
They’re just stupid, crazy.
All of them.
Father, you shouldn’t say stuff like that.
They might call you a traitor or something.
Traitor, coward… those words mean nothing to me.
Actually, come to think of it… I’m proud if they want to call me those things.
This w*r can’t be right… but it’s only the cowards like me who dare say it.
If there were only a few more like us.
You know, sometimes it takes more courage… not to fight than to fight, to not want to k*ll… when all around you are calling out for blood.
That’s real courage in my book.
If you boys remember nothing else that I teach you… I hope you’ll remember that, all right?
Hey, Father?
What is it?
I just wanted to say I love you, Father.
Yeah, I want to say I love you, too, Father.
I know.
Are you sure you don’t mind?
I should be sharing this with all of you.
Don’t be silly, Mother.
You’re not well, and you’re eating for two now.
You’re right.
Well, how is it?
It’s delicious.
Why the big grin, son?
A secret.
Shinji, what did you say to make Mother cry?
All I did was ask if I could suck on the fish bones… when she was done with them.
You’re kidding.
You asked her that?
Yeah, that was it.
Idiot!
What was that for?
How come you’re always hitting me?
Hurry up, Shinji.
Come on.
You big bully, Gen.
Father!
Eiko!
Eiko!
Yes, Mr. Pak?
I brought a little something for you and your family.
Take it.
Rice!
It isn’t much.
Mr. Pak… Thank you.
We sure did a good job getting that carp, didn’t we?
Yeah, Mother’ll be all better again in no time.
Hello, is anybody home?
Never thought that old grouch would come to our house.
I bet he’s gonna tell Father all about… how we tried to steal his carp.
Father’ll get mad, won’t he?
I had no idea.
I’m sorry.
The boys will be punished, sir.
I assure you.
Oh, no, please.
You misunderstood me.
I didn’t come here for that.
I admire the boys.
Such high spirits.
Such devotion to you and their mother.
You have good sons there, Nakaoka.
I envy you… though I’m sure they’re quite a handful at times.
What’ll we do?
What do you think?
Prepare to get hit.
He wouldn’t do that, would he?
There you are.
Shinji.
Well, then?
Come in and sit down.
Told ya.
Never thought I’d be getting a piece of cake out of this.
Hey, we did good, right?
Yeah.
That old fisherman is not so bad after all.
I ought to let him join our platoon.
I might give him a medal.
At 2:45 a.m., three American B-29s took off… from an air base on Tinian in the Marianas.
Two of them were observation planes.
The third was the Enola Gay… named after the captain’s mother.
Mother, leave the washing to me.
You’re still not well.
It’s OK.
If I rest too long, I’m liable to get lazy.
Father, isn’t this the greatest boat you ever saw?
Gen made it for me!
Did he really?
The minute he’s home from school… we’re going to take it to the river.
Are you?
Won’t that be fun?
Enemy planes again?
It’s so early.
All clear!
The enemy has gone!
All clear!
The enemy has gone!
Another spy plane, I betcha.
Well, that’s a B-29 vapor trail.
Look how clear the sky is.
It’ll be hot today.
Weather observation plane Easerly calling Enola Gay.
Calling Enola Gay.
Weather’s fair and clear over Hiroshima.
Conditions favorable for bombing.
Roger.
Enola Gay getting ready to drop on target.
I better get going or I’ll be late for school.
You’re coming right home after school, OK?
We’re going down to the river, right?
Right!
Promise?
Promise!
Father, Eiko, come here!
Look at this!
What is it?
Good heavens.
Look at all the ants.
Where are they coming from?
I’ve never seen so many.
I wonder why?
B-29.
Yeah?
Gee, and it’s all alone.
What’s it doing?
Probably a spy mission.
It’s very strange.
Why isn’t the air raid siren going off?
I don’t know.
Altitude 3,600 feet.
Fixed on target.
Release b*mb.
Roger.
Releasing b*mb.
Wow, what happened?
How’d I end up here?
Guess they finally decided to b*mb us.
Ugh!
What a mess.
I’m coming!
Hang on.
She’s dead!
Hey!
Somebody, hel… Is anybody here?
Am I dreaming?
Are they ghosts or what?
Fire!
My house is on fire!
Oh, please, not my house!
I’m coming.
Father!
Mother!
Eiko!
Shinji!
Hey, Shinji, where are you?
Is anyone here?
Where are you?
Father!
Please, somebody, help us!
That’s Mother’s voice!
Somebody help me!
Hurry!
Mother, what happened?
Oh, my sweet boy, you’re alive!
Hurry, Mother, get us!
It really hurts!
Shinji!
Eiko!
Father!
Hurry, Gen.
Help me lift this beam!
Yes, Mother.
Hurry up, Gen!
It’s getting hotter.
Hang on.
Do it fast!
It really hurts bad!
It’s so hot!
Hurry, Gen!
I’m scared!
Hurry, Gen!
I’m scared!
It won’t move.
We’ll get them out!
We have to!
That’s enough.
Go on.
Get away.
What are you saying?
Get out now.
Go while you can!
No, darling, no!
I won’t!
Never!
Kimei.
Listen to me.
You’ve got to go while you still can!
Never!
I would rather die!
Kimei, you’re talking like a fool.
You’ve got Gen and the baby to think of now.
No, I won’t!
I will never leave you!
Gen, you know what you have to do now, son.
What do you want me to do, Father?
You get your mother out of here now!
No, Father, I won’t do it!
I’m scared!
Gen!
Oh, Mother, please, Mother… I’m so weak.
Oh, why couldn’t I be stronger?
Gen!
It’s up to you to look after your mother and the baby.
They’re going to need you, boy.
I know you’ll do your best.
No, no!
I won’t go!
I want to stay here and die!
Oh, it’s getting hotter!
Mother, where are you?
It’s really, really hot!
I have to go to him!
Where is everybody?
Mommy!
Mommy!
Shinji!
They’re all burning up.
My family… burning.
They’re burning like a bonfire.
Are you all right, Mother?
Mother, Mother, we’ve got to go now.
Come away from there!
Hurry!
Mr. Pak!
Mr. Pak!
Gen, is that you?
Here, leave your mother to me.
Hurry.
Come on.
Get moving.
Children, grab on to any floating pieces of wood.
Keep your heads above the water.
That’s it.
That’s it.
Wha… No!
Hang on, children!
Hang on!
Well, you should be safe here for the moment.
Gen, I have to go now.
Take care of your mother.
Good luck.
Thanks, Mr. Pak.
What’s the matter, Mother?
It’s coming now.
The baby?
You must try and find a doctor or a midwife, Gen.
All right.
And I’ll need a basin that will hold lots of water… and some strips of any clean cloth you’re able to find.
Right.
A pair of scissors and thread.
What are the scissors for?
Somebody will have to cut the cord.
Is there a midwife or a doctor around anywhere?
Is anyone a doctor?
I need a doctor!
Listen to me!
My mother’s having a baby!
Doesn’t anybody know a doctor?
Everything’s gone crazy.
There’s nobody to help me.
What’ll I do now?
What’ll I do?
I’m sorry, Mother.
I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find anybody to help.
No one.
Well, we’ll do it ourselves.
You and me, Mother?
But that’s impossible!
You must try, my boy.
All right, I’ll try.
First of all, fetch some water.
Got it!
Be sure to have some rags ready, Gen.
You’ll have to wash the baby when it’s born.
Don’t worry.
I’m ready.
You’ve got to be very careful about holding up its head.
Hey, this baby doesn’t look like me.
It’s a girl, Mother, but it really looks like a monkey.
All babies do.
You did, too.
Well, I guess she’ll turn out to be real pretty then.
Listen here, baby.
I’m the one who brought you to life… so you better thank me when you grow up… and you better do everything I tell you to do, OK?
They’re going to need you now, boy.
It’s up to you to look after them now.
It’s going to be a boy!
And he’s going to be my little brother!
Father, are you out there?
Eiko!
Shinji!
The baby’s here, everybody!
Can you see her?
It’s a girl!
You were wrong, Shinji.
It’s a girl!
Oh, why aren’t you here?
Father!
Shinji!
She’s the prettiest baby girl in the whole world… and you never saw her.
Gen, give her to me.
Let me hold her.
Take a good look around, little one.
Look closely.
You see?
This is the w*r that k*lled your father.
Remember it.
What in the world?
It’s raining.
Stop it, stop it.
What?
That’s not right.
Mother, have you ever seen rain that’s black like this?
This black rain began falling… on the northwest section of the city.
The impact of the b*mb’s blast… had sent dust, debris, and radiation… high into the atmosphere… where it gathered in a gigantic, lethal cloud… before returning to the earth as radioactive rain.
The b*mb that had fallen on the city… detonated with a destructive force of 20,000 tons of TNT… and generated temperatures an excess of 4,000 degrees.
Some 60% of the city had vanished.
But the damage did not end there.
The people of Hiroshima did not know it yet… but the b*mb’s after-effects, such as the black rain… would bring them many years of suffering.
Those people, they make so much noise.
How am I supposed to sleep?
Perhaps if we took them some of our water.
Here.
This is some water.
Drink.
Go on.
There’s more where this came from.
Look at that woman.
She’s dead!
I don’t understand.
Why?
What’s making them die?
They d*ed when they drank.
Could something be wrong with the water?
We’ve got to stop them from drinking the water.
You’re right.
Mother, what are we going to do?
Well, let me see now.
We’ve no place to go, really.
Our relatives will be dead… or if not, they’ll be no better off than we are.
Frankly, son, I don’t know what we’re going to do.
I’m finding it difficult to think clearly.
There, there, now.
I don’t have any milk.
That’s bad, Mother.
Babies need milk to live.
We’ve eaten nothing for 3 days, and my milk has dried up.
When mothers go hungry, their babies go hungry, too.
I really must try to find some food, for her sake.
You just leave everything to me.
What do you mean?
What can you do?
It’s up to me to see we have food.
Father said it’s up to me now.
I won’t ever let you die.
You won’t have to worry.
I’ll protect you!
But where am I going to find food around here?
Hey, where did you get that rice?
My mom and baby sister are hungry.
There’s army trucks distributing food.
You haven’t seen them?
Oh, that’s great.
Where are they?
Ah, forget it!
Find ’em yourself!
I got this rice down by the bridge.
By the bridge?
I know where that is.
An army truck, right?
Wait!
Do you have any more rice?
Dead bodies.
Nothing else.
Get that fire started.
We’ve got to burn them before they rot.
My God.
There’s just so many of them.
When will it stop?
The smell’s awful.
There must be more dead people here than live ones.
Hey, look at this… a fireman’s hat.
Those soldiers are so mean.
They’re just treating those people like bags of trash.
It’s almost like they never lived at all.
Maybe this is what hell’s like.
Look at all these damn maggots.
I didn’t even notice them.
When they start moving around in there… it itches like crazy.
Do you think it’s all right to eat them?
Are you crazy?
It’s not time to talk about food.
Please, can somebody help me?
Is there anyone here who can help feed my baby?
She needs milk.
She’s starving.
Oh, please, will you… Please, isn’t there anybody who can help me with a little milk?
My baby is starving.
Be quiet!
Let it die!
It’s better off!
k*ll it!
k*ll it!
You’re mad to say that!
All right, then.
I will k*ll it for you!
Give it to me!
Give it to me!
No!
Please!
Not my baby!
There, little one.
Eat now.
Take all I have.
You still have milk.
I can’t believe I really said those terrible things.
It’s just that your baby reminded me of my own.
She’s dead now, over there.
I have no one to drink my milk.
Your baby’s welcome to have all I have left.
Thank you.
You’re lucky, my child.
So very lucky.
Everybody’s dead.
Everything’s gone.
How come you’re shivering when it’s so hot?
Do you feel sick or something?
I’m freezing.
Must’ve caught a chill from the rain.
Hey, I think you wet your pants.
Shut up, you brat!
What are you talking about?
Blood!
Must’ve sat in something.
Hey, somebody cut holes in your hair!
Listen, kid, I’ll cut holes in you, if you don’t… My God.
What’s happening?
Mister, what’s wrong?
Do you need some help?
What’s wrong?
Hey!
Help!
I need help!
Get up!
I’ve got you.
Come on, up!
You know, I don’t think it’s going to work.
There!
That’s a pretty clever stretcher, huh?
Hang in there, soldier.
You’ll be fine.
Hello!
Does anybody know where the hospital is?
Please help me.
Tend only to those who show some chance of recovery.
Yes, sir.
We don’t have enough medicine for them… let alone all these others.
Hey, somebody should look at this soldier.
He’s real bad, I think.
Another one.
Tell me, boy, was he vomiting blood… and complaining that he was cold?
Right.
I guess that means you know what’s wrong with him.
No use looking at this one.
This soldier’s dead.
God help us.
Is it possible that one b*mb could have done all this?
The initial expl*si*n of the atomic b*mb… claimed more than 100,000 lives.
But that was only the beginning.
The radiation remained… contaminating soldiers cleaning up the city… as well as those relatives of the victims… who came looking for them.
For years afterwards… these people would suffer from leukemia and cancer… part of the collateral damage inflicted by the b*mb.
God help us.
Is it possible that one b*mb could have done all this?
Damn it!
Damn it!
Huh?
What’s this?
Rice!
But it looks like charcoal.
This must’ve been some kind of storehouse.
What a waste!
All this rice for people to eat… and it’s been burnt to a crisp!
Damn it!
Underneath, it’s OK!
I found a gold mine!
Ha!
There’s more rice than we’ll be able to eat!
Ha ha!
Hooray!
Found some pickles, too.
Mother, you and the baby will never have to be hungry again!
Gen, you’ve done well.
Thank you.
Well, I see you got the camp all set up.
She’s sleeping, huh?
Hey, isn’t it time we came up with a name for her?
I think you’re right.
Our daughter should have a name.
There are more and more fires all the time.
They’re burning the dead.
There are so many dead, Mother.
So many.
It’s horrible.
Yes, it is, Gen.
Mother.
What?
I hope she always has lots of friends.
I know what… let’s call her Tomoko.
Yes.
That means friend.
Very good.
Well, OK.
It’s all set, then.
You’re Tomoko.
Gen, what’s happened to your hair?
Those bald spots.
What are you talking about?
My hair!
My hair!
This soldier’s dead.
God help us.
Is it possible that one b*mb could have done all this?
Gen!
Don’t let it happen to me, Mother!
I don’t want to die!
There, there, my little one.
You’re not going to die, do you hear?
You are not going to die.
After the bombing of Hiroshima… the United States issued an ultimatum… calling on Japan to surrender… and threatening to drop a second atomic b*mb if it did not.
The Japanese high command ignored the warning.
They made certain the extent of the damage to Hiroshima… was little reported.
Three days later on August 9th… another B-29 appeared in the sky above Nagasaki.
Japan’s high command was convinced at last.
On August 15th, the emperor Hirohito… in the first public address made by a Japanese sovereign… announced that the w*r was over.
Yes, Mother?
Your father, sister, and brother… they’ve all been taken away from us, haven’t they?
That’s right.
All of them are dead, Mother.
What’s the matter, mister?
Why are you crying?
The emperor announced it on the radio just now.
Japan has been defeated.
We’ve lost the w*r.
We’ve surrendered.
Tell me, why now?
Why not before?
It’s all right.
Come on, Mother, cheer up.
We’re going to be OK.
Trust me.
I’ve already started planning what to do.
And I know the first thing we’re going to need… a house.
August 15, 1945.
Japan officially surrenders to the Allied powers.
Don’t cry, Tomoko.
Hush now, hush.
I still don’t have enough milk for her.
We’ll have to find some for her.
She needs milk, not this rice soup.
I never thought it possible… but we’re running out of rice, too.
Come and eat now.
Hand her to me.
If I could only find some kind of work, but it’s hopeless.
We’re in quite a fix.
Don’t worry.
I’ll think of something.
What are you doing?
Who are you?
Hey!
Come here, you little thief!
Gotcha!
If I weren’t so hungry, I’d b*at you to a pulp.
So what?
Don’t you think we’re hungry, too?
Huh?
Mother, look at this boy.
Look at his face.
Show her your face.
What are you doing?
Whoever Shinji is, I’m not him.
I thought you were my little brother.
I’m not!
No, of course you aren’t.
He’s dead.
My name is Ryuta Kondo.
I haven’t eaten all week.
Then I smelled your rice.
I couldn’t help it.
Where’s your family, Ryuta?
They were all k*lled in the expl*si*n.
You look exactly like my little brother Shinji.
Well, I’m not.
I’m Ryuta!
Here.
You can have my rice, if you want it.
You’d give it to me?
Take it.
You mean I can have all of it?
Sure.
Slow down.
You’ll make yourself sick.
No.
You might want it back again.
I won’t want it back.
Really.
Why should I believe you?
Will you relax?
Where have you lived since the b*mb fell, my boy?
Out in the open.
If you’re still hungry, you’re welcome to finish mine.
Sit down.
You really mean it?
Mother, he even behaves like Shinji.
It’s amazing.
It is remarkable, Gen.
I’ve heard it said everyone has five doubles of him or herself.
Still, that he should have found us, it’s uncanny.
Hmm, is there any more?
There’s nothing in there.
Somehow it seems like he belongs here.
I know what you mean.
Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Well, you know we’re having a difficult enough time… making ends meet as it is… but still, if Shinji were alive… So, it’s all right then?
Wow, that was the best!
I almost don’t even feel hungry.
We’ve been thinking.
Would you like to have a home again?
Yeah, you want to stay here?
And live with us?
Be part of our family?
Stay and live with you?
I won’t be much help.
I’m only a kid, but I can give you a back rub.
Daddy always said I was a good back rubber.
That’s very kind of you, but you don’t have to.
We’re not asking for anything in return, child.
You’ll just be one of the family.
Really?
Gee, thanks.
I… OK, stop it.
Stop crying.
You’re going to wake up Tomoko if you… Now we’ve got two of them howling.
That’s all right.
You go right on and cry.
I don’t worry about her.
Your baby looks funny.
Is it sick?
Yeah.
Malnutrition.
That means she’s not getting enough to eat.
She needs milk.
Hey, I’ve got an idea.
Hey, will anyone give us a job?
Anybody got a job for us?
Any job at all?
Anybody?
Hello!
Any job at all!
Nobody looks very interested, do they?
No, big brother.
Wait a minute.
What did you call me, Ryuta?
Big brother.
What’s wrong with that?
Nothing!
Say it again.
Big brother.
Again!
Big brother.
Why?
Do you like being called that?
A lot!
You want me to say it some more then?
Big brother!
My big brother Gen!
Hey, listen, everybody.
This is my big brother!
Idiot!
You boys, did you mean it… when you said you’d take any kind of job?
Yep.
You’ve got something?
Yes, I believe I have… if you boys would like to make 10 yen a day.
Ten yen?
You bet, mister!
Ten yen?
Yeah, of course we would.
Well, then, come with me.
Is this your house?
You must be a millionaire.
Hush, keep your voices down.
Daddy’s found two more boys.
They’ll run away, just like the others.
This is where you will work.
Peuw!
It really stinks.
What’s in here?
Smells like an outhouse!
It’s full of worms and flies.
Is that guy dead?
Yecch!
Seiji, I’ve found two more boys to look after you.
Ask them to do anything.
They’re being paid well enough.
Wait, Eizo.
Look after him well.
Come back!
Can’t we talk for a while?
Brother!
I knew they’d do that.
They’ll be gone in no time.
They stuck him in there until he dies, I guess.
Disgusting.
What should we do about him?
Ten yen will buy a lot of milk.
Sure will.
Hey, you buzzards!
Does he mean us?
Looks that way.
Get these maggots off me and clean up around here.
Now!
Yes, sir!
Whatever you say!
The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out… The worms play pinochle on your snout… And when you see the hearse go by… You’ll know that you’re the next to die.
They usually run off by now.
Those boys are crazy.
Girls, I’ve told you to stay away from your uncle.
Do you want to be infected?
My dear, I’m tired of his being here.
Seiji should be in a hospital.
The hospitals are overflowing with b*mb victims like him.
Don’t be silly.
With your money, he’d have the best of care.
You must try not to resent his presence in our home.
He’s my brother and therefore my responsibility.
Oh, you are such a hypocrite.
You know you loathe going near him as much as I do… and it’s no wonder.
He stinks.
He looks ghastly.
He’s always roaring and shouting like a savage.
The neighbors act like we live in a haunted house.
At least think of the girls, if nothing else.
It will be a blessing for all of us if he dies soon.
Little idiot!
What was that all about?
Were you trying to tear my skin off?
I try to be careful… but those maggots keep getting stuck in the scabs like glue.
I don’t want to hear it!
You have to be more careful, you little buzzard.
Listen here… You think anyone will stop me if I wring his neck?
Wait.
Calm down.
Fetch me that gray book on the desk, buzzard.
Stop calling me that.
My name’s Gen.
I’m not a buzzard!
That’s right!
Me, neither.
And my name’s Ryuta Kondo.
You’re nothing but scavengers living off my rotting flesh.
Buzzards, all of you!
You’re no different from the others.
Wait!
Don’t forget the 10 yen!
Right!
Allow me!
Here.
Now go get it.
Oh, my, you dropped it.
Bring me some water over here.
I’m thirsty.
Here’s your book.
Pick it up.
Leave it there!
We’ll never get our 10 yen now.
Oh, forget about the 10 yen.
It’s nowhere near enough!
Take that!
And that!
You’re just a spoiled brat, even if you are a grownup.
Now I know why they stuck you out here all by yourself.
We’re leaving!
Yeah.
We quit!
Wait.
Don’t go!
Gen, Ryuta… Calling us by our names is not going to help.
It’s too late.
I’m sorry I hit you.
No, no.
I’m glad that you did.
Come on!
You like being slapped around?
That’s kind of weird.
You want to hit him this time?
My pleasure.
That’s right, that’s right.
Hit me.
I won’t mind.
Wait a minute.
It’s not normal to want to be hit.
When you’ve gone without human contact as long as I have… you’re grateful for anything, even a slap.
Funny how people change.
My brother and his family used to be fond of me… before the b*mb did this to me.
Now they’ve all left me out here to die.
My only visitors… are the people my brother has paid to look after me… and none of them has ever lasted very long.
You were the only ones that treat me as something more… than a freak or a corpse.
You treated me like a human being, and I’m grateful.
Ryuta.
Yeah, big brother?
You go tell Mother where I am.
And you?
I’ll stay here for a while, OK?
I understand.
I’ll tell her.
Bye!
I’m here.
Don’t worry.
I’m not going to run off.
Thanks.
Stop that.
Come on, Seiji, no more crying.
The only way you’ll ever get better… is to laugh a little, like this.
Like what?
Don’t do that!
This!
The boy’s right.
I can’t just give up.
I never thought I’d be able to paint again… but I won’t know if I don’t try.
It’s no use!
I can’t!
Sure you can.
You can do it!
Yeah, keep trying.
Don’t give up now!
All right, I’ll try.
There’s 100 yen for you.
One hundred?
Zowie!
I might almost say that it’s a miracle… what you have done for my brother.
I’m very grateful to you for making him happy again.
Seriously?
My brother said that?
Uh-huh, and he gave us enough money… to buy all the milk we’ll ever need.
You deserve it.
You two will come again?
Sure, we’ll come to check up on you.
Remember, never give up!
Don’t worry, you have my word.
I never will.
You two have shown me that nothing is impossible!
Oh, we like sweet potatoes… We like ’em a lot… We like ’em baked all soft and hot… We eat so many that our tummies get big… And we fart, fart, fart, like a couple of pigs… What do we do like a couple of pigs?
Fish here!
Fresh fish!
One at a time!
All right, who wants some?
Milk, ladies and gentlemen!
I’ve got it, and it’s yours for a price.
Who wants milk?
Powdered milk!
Better than fresh!
Really.
Straight from America.
Well, don’t be shy.
Anyone want some?
Excuse me.
I’ll take some of that milk.
Yeah?
You got any money on you, little boy?
Sure, I’ve got money.
See?
The kid’s got the cash, all right.
Tomoko, I hope you’re hungry, ’cause we’re coming… with lots and lots of milk!
We got the milk!
Lots of it!
The milk patrol to the rescue!
Mother!
Hello!
Look!
You’ll never guess what we’ve got.
Milk!
So much milk!
We bought it in the market.
It’s in cans from America.
It’s better than fresh.
Yeah, just look at all of it.
Tomoko should be so glad.
Mission accomplished, Captain.
Good work, soldier.
Banzai!
Company eyes left!
Look, Mother, all the milk you’ll ever… Dear boys, too late.
Too late!
Tomoko, open your eyes.
No, you can’t die!
You can’t die, little sister.
No!
We’ve got all this milk for you.
Couldn’t you wait just a little longer?
Don’t go, little sister.
Don’t go!
How can you leave without saying good-bye?
It’s not fair!
I did everything I could!
Why couldn’t she have waited?
Father, Eiko, Shinji, I couldn’t save Tomoko.
I’m sorry.
You know, I heard this man saying… the grass won’t grow here again for another 70 years.
Do you think that’s true?
It’s hard to believe it’s possible.
What’s going to happen to us?
Are you going to be sad forever, big brother?
At least we’re still alive, aren’t we?
Don’t worry, I’ll catch it.
I got it!
Hey, get over here.
Look what I found!
Come here!
What is it?
Look!
Something’s growing!
Yeah, it’s wheat!
The wheat’s coming up again.
Its life begins in the coldest season of the year.
The rain pounds it, the wind blows it… it’s crushed beneath people’s feet… but still, the wheat spreads its roots and grows.
It survives.
Learn from it, boys.
Grow big and strong and let nothing b*at you down.
Can you see it, Father?
The wheat’s growing again.
Good old wheat.
Nothing could k*ll it.
Not the fires, rain, or diseases.
Nothing.
Who said it wouldn’t grow for 70 years?
Ha ha!
What a stupid!
Hey, what’s happening to your head?
My hair!
I can feel it.
My hair’s growing back again.
Hey, maybe Tomoko gave you all her hair when she d*ed.
You think?
My hair.
Tomoko?
She won’t be needing it.
Yeah, maybe you’re right, little brother.
This way I’ll always have part of her with me forever.
Isn’t it great?
The wheat’s growing… your hair’s growing, and even… No.
Nothing down there yet.
You idiot!
I’m going to tell Mother!
Don’t worry, Father.
I’ll never give up.
I’ll grow up big and strong… and you’ll be proud of me, you’ll see.
Come right home after school, OK, big brother?
Don’t forget, OK?
‘Cause we’re going down the river, right?
You promise?
What’s that you’re making, Gen, a boat?
Yeah.
OK, Shinji, here’s your boat.
You ready?
We’re finally going to put it in the river like we said.
You ready, Ryuta?
Ready!
How about you, Mother?
Ready?
Ready.
Barefoot Gen (1983)
Moderator: Maskath3