The Incident Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 14, 2026
Movie Overview: The Incident
| Movie | The Incident |
| Release Year | 1978 |
| Director | Yoshitarō Nomura |
| Genre | Drama / Crime / Mystery |
| Runtime | 138 minutes (2h 18m) |
| Language | JA |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Incident (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Incident are led by Tetsuro Tamba . The supporting cast, including Shinsuke Ashida and Shinobu Otake , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Incident stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Incident has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Incident
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1978, The Incident is a Drama, Crime, Mystery film directed by Yoshitarō Nomura, written by Kaneto Shindō. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Tetsuro Tamba as Lawyer Kikuchi.
Ending Explained: The Incident
The Incident Ending Explained: The body of Sakai Hatsuko, a woman of 23 who has been slain with a knife, has been found in a forest. Directed by Yoshitarō Nomura, this 1978 drama film stars Tetsuro Tamba (Lawyer Kikuchi), alongside Shinsuke Ashida as DA Okabe, Shinobu Otake as Yoshiko Sakai, Toshiyuki Nagashima as Hiroshi Ueda. Rated 7.3/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Incident?
The body of Sakai Hatsuko, a woman of 23 who has been slain with a knife, has been found in a forest. Some days later, Ueda Hiroshi, a 19-year-old shipyard worker, is arrested and charged with the murder. At Ueda's trial, a complex story unfolds.
Yoshitarō Nomura's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Tetsuro Tamba (Lawyer Kikuchi)'s journey. Some days later, Ueda Hiroshi, a 19-year-old shipyard worker, is arrested and charged with the murder.
How Does Tetsuro Tamba (Lawyer Kikuchi)'s Story End?
- Tetsuro Tamba: Tetsuro Tamba's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Yoshitarō Nomura delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 2h 18m runtime.
- Shinsuke Ashida (DA Okabe): Shinsuke Ashida's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Shinobu Otake (Yoshiko Sakai): Shinobu Otake's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Incident Mean?
The ending of The Incident ties together the narrative threads involving Tetsuro Tamba. Yoshitarō Nomura chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.
The Incident Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Incident Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Incident draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Yoshitarō Nomura and starring Tetsuro Tamba, this drama, crime, mystery film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Incident
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: The Incident uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Incident?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Tetsuro Tamba or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Where to Watch The Incident Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Hulu
U-NEXT
FOD Channel Amazon Channel
Plus Shochiku Amazon Channel
FOD🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoGoogle Play MoviesThe Incident Parents Guide & Age Rating
1978 AdvisoryWondering about The Incident age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Incident (1978) is 138 minutes (2h 18m). Directed by Yoshitarō Nomura, the film runs for 138 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Incident is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Incident worth watching?
The Incident is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Incident parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Incident identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Incident (1978)?
The runtime of The Incident (1978) is 138 minutes (approximately 2h 18m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
