Sea and Poison (1986) poster
7.9
Your Rating: 0/10
Ratings: 7.9/10 from 8 users
# of Watchers: 28
Reviews: 1 user
Ranked #76406
Popularity #99999
Watchers 8

Downed American fliers in WW II are vivisected by Japanese surgeons in medical experiments. (Source: IMDb) ~~ Adapted from the novel of the same name. Edit Translation

  • English
  • magyar / magyar nyelv
  • dansk
  • Norsk
  • Country: Japan
  • Type: Movie
  • Release Date: Oct 17, 1986
  • Duration: 2 hr. 3 min.
  • Score: 7.9 (scored by 8 users)
  • Ranked: #76406
  • Popularity: #99999
  • Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Cast & Credits

Photos

Sea and Poison (1986) photo
Sea and Poison (1986) photo

Reviews

Completed
Maggi64
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 2, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Powerful. Upsetting. Honest. Brilliant.


This film was not widely distributed in Japan because the subject matter was so delicate, and not distributed in theatres at all internationally. Nevertheless, it won the top prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 1986 and holds a top spot on most of Japan's film critics' lists, such as the uber prestigious Kinema Junpo.

The plot is centered on the true story of Japanese surgeons conducting vivisections on 8 American POWs. That's the ostensible subject of the film. But the real subject is Hanna Arendt's famous maxim, "The banality of evil." You see, we witness 3 ordinary individuals -- 2 medical interns and a nurse -- knowingly participating in the grotesque murder of 8 men for various reasons. For instance, because they were just following orders. Or because it was a way of pandering to superiors and advancing their career. Or because, in one case, they were acting out a personal grudge against another staff member. This particular person's motive was the most striking example of the Banality of Evil.

The writer, director and actors created believable characters whom the viewer cares about in a well paced plot that flies by over the course of 2 hours. It's a film of stunning realism and emotion. Highly recommended.

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Details

  • Movie: Sea and Poison
  • Country: Japan
  • Release Date: Oct 17, 1986
  • Duration: 2 hr. 3 min.
  • Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Statistics

  • Score: 7.9 (scored by 8 users)
  • Ranked: #76406
  • Popularity: #99999
  • Watchers: 28

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