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The Battle of Okinawa poster

The Battle of Okinawa

激動の昭和史 沖縄決戦

1971 · 2h 29m · History, War · Japan · Rated 16 (DE)

The biggest and last fierce battle in history! 90 days of turbulence that burned green and life!

The Americans are swiftly closing on Okinawa, an island just south of the Japanese mainland. The Imperial command sends top generals and several army divisions to defend it at all costs. The mission quickly degenerates as vital resources and troops are diverted to other islands. After a civilian evacuation ends in tragedy most of non-combatants are forced to remain on the island. Many convert to soldier status. Tokyo sends mixed messages that squander time and resources, as when they order the defenders to build an airstrip for aircraft that never come. The truth soon becomes obvious: the high command decides that the island cannot be held and effectively abandons the Okinawan defenders. When the Americans land many troops are deployed in the wrong places. As the slaughter mounts, a suicidal attitude takes hold. Okinawa becomes a death trap, for civilian volunteers and non-combatants as well.

Directed by
Kihachi Okamoto
Written by
Kaneto Shindō
Starring
Keiju Kobayashi, Tetsuro Tamba, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yūsuke Kawazu
Trailer
6.3Smart score

The TMDB rating, pulled toward the movie average (6.03) as if it had 82 extra average votes. Few votes means more pull.

TMDB7.8

16 TMDB votes · IMDb page

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Not available to stream, rent or buy in United States.

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Amazon Video: available in 1 country
Rent or buy · 1Japan

Streaming data by JustWatch, via TMDB. Links open the JustWatch listing for United States.

Style & content

battle of okinawajapanese armyokinawapacific warshōwa era (1926-89)u.s. navyworld war ii
Rating16 (DE)

Keywords from TMDB.

Connected through the crew

Onibaba1964 · Director Kaneto Shindō, Writer Kaneto ShindōThe Sword of Doom1966 · Cinematographer Hiroshi Murai, Director Kihachi OkamotoKuroneko1968 · Director Kaneto Shindō, Writer Kaneto ShindōHachiko1987 · Writer Kaneto ShindōThe Naked Island1960 · Director Kaneto Shindō, Writer Kaneto ShindōZatoichi Meets Yojimbo1970 · Director Kihachi Okamoto, Writer Kihachi OkamotoKill!1968 · Writer Kihachi Okamoto, Director Kihachi OkamotoSamurai Assassin1965 · Cinematographer Hiroshi Murai, Director Kihachi OkamotoIrezumi1966 · Writer Kaneto ShindōZatoichi's Pilgrimage1966 · Writer Kaneto ShindōChildren of Hiroshima1952 · Writer Kaneto Shindō, Director Kaneto ShindōManji1964 · Writer Kaneto Shindō

Browse lists

Best History Movies of the 1970sBest War Movies of the 1970sBest History Movies of All TimeBest War Movies of All Time