MovieChat Forums > Ichiban utsukushiku Discussion > Not a 'real' propaganda film, per se.

Not a 'real' propaganda film, per se.


The propagandistic elements felt like they were being tacked on to a pretty decent normal film, IMO. Definitely a flawed film (thin plot, male characters were also tacked on), but very watchable (I especially liked the acting & cinematography).

6.5/10

reply

I completely disagree. The entire film is about sacrifice, not as a mirror to Japanese war spirit, but as example of how women, and everyone else, on the home front had to just about kill themselves to accomplish everything they could to win the war. No way Kurosawa would have made this film otherwise, which reminds a little of the heavyhandedness of German and Soviet propaganda in those few times, thankfully, the women smile under duress while martial music swells. In those scenes, of the women playing volleyball to keep their spirits up, the direction looks like a second unit job, something perhaps Kurosawa did not have the stomach to lower himself to shoot.

The film indicates how the population, Kurosawa included, was constantly reminded by the authorities and the society of its debt of obigations the people had to carry out, making a dissent or even a questioning of the war unimaginable. At the very least, it includes many directorial and narrative examples of Kurosawa's touch, and for that reason should be seen by Kurosawa buffs. Comparing it to 'Sanshiro Sugata', which he made the year before, in 1943, is night and day. 'Sanshiro' is likewise propagandistic, reminding its wartime audience of the great importance of Japan's great fighting traditions, but it was done in a most poetic way, attaining a great beauty not equaled in many Kurosawa films. In contrast, The Most Beautiful is all about slogging the war out in the trenches, where nothing but sacrifice is extolled. Forgetting the propaganda, as a film, it's good, just not great.

~ Native Angeleno

reply

I believe craigbhill is quite right - no question that this "little" film by Kurosawa is propaganda. But I really enjoyed it, and was rather moved by the first half in particular. The slogging in the second half was not as engaging, but anyone interested in Akira Kurosawa, for whatever reason, ought to watch The Most Beautiful.

Seeing this film, as well as both parts of the Sanshiro Sugata story (from Criterion's 25 Films By AK set), we can fully appreciate the developing style of Kurosawa's future work. Perhaps even better, viewers will enjoy the the amazing Takashi Shimura's first two brief roles under AK's direction.

~ Yes, Another Native Angeleno!

reply

It's completely a propaganda film, albeit shown through a humanistic lens. 7/10 for me (I don't 'point five' anything).

reply