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The Fossil poster

The Fossil

化石

1975 · 3h 21m · Drama, Fantasy · Japan

An industrialist is diagnosed with terminal cancer. He is abroad in Europe at the time, and a glimpse of a Japanese woman in that setting causes him to imagine her as the personification of his impending fate. As his dialogue with his imagined mortality continues, he meets the living woman, the template for his fantasy, and together, they tour rural churches. Gradually, he comes to some kind of peace about the diagnosis. When he returns to Japan, he is met with a series of challenges that profoundly test the lessons he has learned.

Directed by
Masaki Kobayashi
Written by
Shun Inagaki, Takeshi Yoshida
Based on the novel by
Yasushi Inoue
Starring
Shin Saburi, Keiko Kishi, Hisashi Igawa, Mayumi Ogawa
Trailer
6.2Smart score

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

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13 TMDB votes · IMDb page

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

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Nihon Eiga Net: available in 1 country
Subscription · 1Japan

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

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Connected through the crew

Harakiri1962 · Director Masaki KobayashiKwaidan1965 · Director Masaki KobayashiThe Human Condition I: No Greater Love1959 · Director Masaki Kobayashi, Writer Masaki KobayashiSamurai Rebellion1967 · Director Masaki KobayashiThe Human Condition II: Road to Eternity1959 · Writer Masaki Kobayashi, Director Masaki KobayashiThe Yakuza1974 · Cinematographer Kōzō OkazakiThe Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer1961 · Director Masaki Kobayashi, Writer Masaki KobayashiGoyokin1969 · Cinematographer Kōzō OkazakiThe Challenge1982 · Cinematographer Kōzō OkazakiAnatahan1953 · Cinematographer Kōzō OkazakiThe Bad News Bears Go to Japan1978 · Cinematographer Kōzō OkazakiBlack River1957 · Director Masaki Kobayashi

Browse lists

Best Fantasy Movies of the 1970sBest Drama Movies of the 1970sBest Fantasy Movies of All TimeBest Drama Movies of All Time