The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959)
The second film in this grueling war epic is in many ways more of the same themes just in a new setting. Which of course is a simplification, but as a whole the impact of this is slightly less than the first film. Primarily because it is very similar to many later war films, such as Full Metal Jacket and The Thin Red Line that I think were influenced by this. I admit I got a little tired of the repeated depiction of the abusive military, but the effect is that it somehow becomes normalized, even though it shouldn’t.
What stands out is again Kaji and how he gradually gets more broken, but still manages to keep some of his idealism and humanity in a system where abuse has become the norm. It is not about individuals and the most powerful quote is when he says “It is the military itself”. This is not a portrayal of bad individuals, but a misguided culture that believes victory and success demands abuse and punishment.
The final battle is noteworthy for how eerily quiet it is. It is far from the modern day war depictions of utter chaos, but an almost sombre visualization of the madness of the battlefield.
I can see why this is the “lowest rated” (though still very highly rated in general) of the three, but it is still essential for the context. Not sure what I am in for with the final film, but I am preparing myself for Kaji’s idealism not to succeed.
Rating: 4