Hiroshima (1953) from Arrow Academy

[DukeTogo84]

I didn't see a topic on this release, so I figured I'd start one.

Just finished watching my copy and it's taken a few minutes to truly take it all in. I figured this would be similar to the film Black Rain from 1989 (not the Ridley Scott film) which predominately dealt with the after effects of the dropping of the atomic bomb. After the first 15 minutes which are a flash forward to 1952, we jump back to the fateful day in 1945 which is where 75% of the film takes place.

This was a brutal and hard watch. Hundreds of bodies, the living have now become the living dead, and the assortment of maladies is never ending. I never imagined a film going to the point where we see a woman covered in burns giving birth. The film holds no punches to the impacts the bomb had on children as well. The movie is 104 minutes, but once we jump to the dropping of the bomb it flew by due to its shocking nature.

I honestly would say this is truly essential viewing, and a travesty that this film doesn't have the recognition it deserves. I'm truly grateful once again to Arrow for releasing this. I must warn you, this is no easy watch, but again, I would say as film fans here, you should check it out. I hope this films gets a wider audience due to this release, because it deserves it.

[eledoremassis02]

Thank you for making this thread. Fantastic film with fantasic extras. A must have! The explination as to why this film (kind of) gotten lost in history is really sad (There is basically an entire special feature dedicated to this so I'll leave it at that.

Hands down the most impactful film in regards to it's subject matter.

If anyone else is interested in WWII Japan, I'd sugest Kabe (https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Kabei-Our-Mother-DVD/16557/) another film that really touches you.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by eledoremassis02

Thank you for making this thread. Fantastic film with fantasic extras. A must have! The explination as to why this film (kind of) gotten lost in history is really sad (There is basically an entire special feature dedicated to this so I'll leave it at that.

Hands down the most impactful film in regards to it's subject matter.

If anyone else is interested in WWII Japan, I'd sugest Kabe (https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Kabei-Our-Mother-DVD/16557/) another film that really touches you.

I haven't watched the special features, but did read the booklet which goes into the films troubles. Thanks for pointing out the special features also goes into detail about it.

Kabei is very good. Been hoping it would be upgrade here on Blu-ray at some point. It goes into detail the impacts the war had on families as well as Japans blind fanaticism during the time period.

Also looking forward to watching Black Rain that Arrow is planning on releasing sometime soon. It will be a good follow up to Hiroshima.

[evilive]

I almost forgot about this one.

[eledoremassis02]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I haven't watched the special features, but did read the booklet which goes into the films troubles. Thanks for pointing out the special features also goes into detail about it.

Kabei is very good. Been hoping it would be upgrade here on Blu-ray at some point. It goes into detail the impacts the war had on families as well as Japans blind fanaticism during the time period.

Also looking forward to watching Black Rain that Arrow is planning on releasing sometime soon. It will be a good follow up to Hiroshima.

I would love kabe on Bluray. Wow Black Rain? Consider that a day one for me!

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by eledoremassis02

I would love kabe on Bluray. Wow Black Rain? Consider that a day one for me!

Yeah, there was an insert for it in a recent Arrow release I bought. Hopefully it comes out before the end of the year.

[Random Ace]

Just received my copy today

[Keymaster]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I honestly would say this is truly essential viewing, and a travesty that this film doesn't have the recognition it deserves. I'm truly grateful once again to Arrow for releasing this. I must warn you, this is no easy watch, but again, I would say as film fans here, you should check it out. I hope this films gets a wider audience due to this release, because it deserves it.

Purchased.

Hiroshima only has 139 votes on IMDB despite being released in 1953. I'm sure this release will improve that figure. As I understand it the film has been unavailable for viewing for decades. I'm going to have to prepare myself for this. It isn't too often I feel that way before watching a film.

Off the top of my head, the most depressing and/or distressing WWII films I've seen so far are Bent, City of Life and Death and Come and See. Bent is very good, City of Life and Death is great, and Come and See is a masterpiece. This will probably be a one time watch for me, like those other films - although I'll doubtlessly watch Come and See again.

Kudos to Arrow for this release.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Keymaster

Purchased.

Hiroshima only has 139 votes on IMDB despite being released in 1953. I'm sure this release will improve that figure. As I understand it the film has been unavailable for viewing for decades. I'm going to have to prepare myself for this. It isn't too often I feel that way before watching a film.

Off the top of my head, the most depressing and/or distressing WWII films I've seen so far are Bent, City of Life and Death and Come and See. Bent is very good, City of Life and Death is great, and Come and See is a masterpiece. This will probably be a one time watch for me, like those other films - although I'll doubtlessly watch Come and See again.

Kudos to Arrow for this release.

I truly hope you're correct and that this film gets a wider audience. There is a wide range of films for WWII, but as you mentioned many of them don't leave you with a warm sensation. While all of those you mentioned also left me distressed, the one that evoked the biggest emotion out of me was Grave of the Fireflies. I can't recall any film causing me to have an emotional breakdown like that one.

I would also like Arrow to release Devils on the Doorstep. Another overlooked WWII film, with one of the most tragic endings I've ever seen on film.

[vivafriend5]

I got my copy and can confirm it is region free.

[36crazyfists]

Wishlist for me .

[Random Ace]

the supplements are a must watch

[ScottDS]

It was an honor to work on this release. You can get a look at some unused artwork and a few other odds and ends here.

[eledoremassis02]

Originally Posted by ScottDS

It was an honor to work on this release. You can get a look at some unused artwork and a few other odds and ends here.

It's wonderfully done and really fits the release. One of the few films I'm really proud to own.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by ScottDS

It was an honor to work on this release. You can get a look at some unused artwork and a few other odds and ends here.

You did an excellent job overall, and it was interesting reading your thought process on your site. Thanks for posting!

[DukeTogo84]

Oh, and I completely forgot to mention the score in the film which is very haunting and effective. Composer Akira Ifukube mainly known for Godzilla delivers one his best scores in Hiroshima.

[ScottDS]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

You did an excellent job overall, and it was interesting reading your thought process on your site. Thanks for posting!

Thanks! I'm basically trying to answer all the questions I might've had when I was a student.

[MifuneFan]

Watched this today in honor of the 75th anniversary. I'd never heard of the film until Arrow announced it, which is surprising, and unfortunate considering how impactful, and ambitious a film it is.

I echo much of DukeTogo84's comments. The film's recreation of the moments when the bomb drops, and its aftermath are truly soul-crushing. I found myself crying on numerous occasions, simply just thinking about what it would be like to be in that situation, to look for my mother, my loved ones, to not know what was happening. It must have been hell. It's even more heartbreaking to think that, as devastating as this film is, the reality was certainly much worse.

I rented the film, and while I think it will be difficult to watch again, I believe it's an important film, and one worth owning, so I'll be getting the Blu-ray eventually. I have to commend Arrow for releasing it, as it certainly deserves a lot more attention than it's gotten to date.

[methos1975]

Preordered this as soon as it was announced knowing absolutely nothing about it. Watched it last night and man, truly horrifying. I was not ready.