[psycho d]

Fires on the Plain AKA Nobi (1959). This harrowing Japanese classic jump starts at what should seem to be the lowest point of a soldier's life. That it is the the apex of the film is a hint at the tribulations to come. In fact, this might just be the greatest portrayal of the squalid nature of war. The protagonist of our little flick, by way of some serious method acting, starved himself until he collapsed on set, shutting the production down for two weeks until he got his strength back. All of the actors here were intentionally underfed to create a more than realistic appearance of starvation in the soldier actors. The story is not of your typical type, but instead is more of a snapshot of the downward spiral of the plight of downcast, neglected Japanese soldiers in the Philippines towards the end of WWII. The acting was strong, the direction competent and daring. Both pitiful and awe-inspiring, this is not a flick for tender hearts or those of weak stomachs. Ashe.