Challenge To Live
Cast & Crew
Eizo Sugawa
Tatsuya Mihashi
Yoko Tsukasa
Yumi Shirakawa
Masayuki Mori
V. S. Shes
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Stranded on a raft in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, Izaki is implored by a dying friend to put an end to his suffering; finally Izaki accedes to his friend's wish. Haunted by the experience after the war, he finds no purpose in life, and when his girl friend pleads with him to join her in a suicide pact, he agrees. The lovers take pills, but though she dies, Izaki survives. He returns to his job at an oil company headed by Mr. Sawada, who tries to help him develop his talents and asks him to help solve the problem of a dwindling oil supply. Meanwhile, Izaki meets Mr. Sawada's daughter Saeko, who has become embittered by an unhappy love affair. The two disillusioned young people find many parallels in their lives, and as they grow close Izaki discovers that the friend he killed was Saeko's brother. Izaki suggests to Mr. Sawada that he can break up an international cartel by sending tankers to Iraq to purchase oil. Mr. Sawada at first doubts the soundness of the suggestion, but eventually his reservations are overcome and a contract with the foreign oil dealers is signed. Though Izaki appears to have contracted tuberculosis, he decides to board the tanker to Iraq to supervise the oil deal. He accomplishes his objective and regains a sense of self-respect; but on the return voyage, the tuberculosis becomes increasingly serious, and he dies before reaching Japan.
Director
Eizo Sugawa
Cast
Tatsuya Mihashi
Yoko Tsukasa
Yumi Shirakawa
Masayuki Mori
V. S. Shes
Chanty Zebery
Schuan
Kumi Mizuno
Takashi Shimura
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Released in Japan in June 1961 as Ai to honoho to.
