Is Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1957)

📖 The Core Premise

Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War returns to the screen in 1957, bringing a fresh narrative to the History, War, Drama genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Meiji Tenno portrays the buildup to the Russo-Japan War. In addition to showing the political events that led to war, it also shows the era from the story of a farm family in rural Japan that sends their son off to war. As such, it could be considered an anti-war movie, showing how, while war is devised by governments, the people do not really understand what war is, and its combatants often do not know what they are fighting for."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War, even the presence of Kanjūrō Arashi struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good History. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War worth your time? If you appreciate History, War, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 113 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.