Is Father of the Kamikaze Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1974)

📖 The Core Premise

Father of the Kamikaze stands as a 1974 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the War, Drama, History landscape. 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. "Vice Admiral Takajiro Ohnishi could see that Japan's defeat in WWII was inevitable. He came to realize that the only way to force a negotiated solution was to convince the Americans that invading Japan would cause massive casualties on both sides. The cold logic of suicide attacks, where one man and one plane could kill hundreds, seemed the only solution. In one of the cruel ironies of fate, Ohnishi actually succeeded; he convinced the Americans that invading Japan would be too costly in lives. But what he could not foresee was that America had another way of ending the war."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Koji Tsuruta feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good War. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Father of the Kamikaze worth your time? If you appreciate War, Drama, History 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, Father of the Kamikaze misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 199 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.