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Plot
Caught in the tumultuous tide of World War II, Kaji, a Japanese man of deep-seated pacifist and humanist beliefs, embarks on a journey with his wife Michiko to the remote Manchurian outpost of Loh Hu Liong. His motivation: to oversee an iron ore mine as a way of eluding the call to military service. Working alongside Okishima, Kaji revolutionizes the mine's operations, instilling more humane working conditions and boosting productivity.
However, the arrival of six hundred Chinese POWs, escorted by the dreaded Kempetai - the military police of the Imperial Japanese Army - disrupts the equilibrium. Kaji finds himself in a delicate negotiation with the POW leaders, hoping to maintain order within the ranks. His endeavours, though noble, inadvertently disrupt the entrenched corruption in the camp, making him a target of the unscrupulous foreman Furuya.
A carefully orchestrated scheme to sabotage the camp's power supply, masterminded by Furuya and the naive Chen, triggers a harrowing chain of events. Seven POWs are falsely accused of attempting escape, leading to brutal beheadings at the hands of a merciless Kempetai sergeant. Kaji's vehement protest earns him the wrath of the Kempetai, resulting in his arrest and torture.
Upon his release, the once-avoided reality of military service looms menacingly over Kaji, now cast under the shadow of Red accusations. This first chapter in a gripping trilogy encapsulates Kaji's struggle, teetering on the brink of combat, with an unforeseen, darker future lurking around the corner.
Where to watch The Human Condition I: No Greater Love?
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love is a drama movie featuring Tatsuya Nakadai.
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.