My Enemy, the Sea
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Kon Ichikawa
Yujiro Ishihara
Masayuki Mori
Kinuyo Tanaka
Ruriko Asaoka
Hajime Hana
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
For years, 23-year-old Ken'ichi Horie has dreamed of sailing his 18-foot yacht, Mermaid, across the Pacific. Despite the opposition of his father and friends and his mother's apprehension, he persists in his determination and outfits his boat. One night, in 1962, he leaves without telling anyone. Ken'ichi sneaks out of Osaka Bay without papers and must elude the coast guard. Once on the open sea, he runs into bad weather and also gets sick. Worse, the winds are forcing him back to Japan. Ken'ichi manages to surmount this hazard as he does all others: the rough seas, a typhoon, loneliness, and all the inherent dangers of a solo sea voyage. Through flashbacks, mirroring his thoughts, his life and character are revealed: during the typhoon he longs for his mother; a drifting newspaper picture reminds him of his dog at home. When Ken'ichi reaches Hawaii, a large American ship passes him, but he refuses all help. Instead he sails on, finally reaching San Francisco, and sails under the Golden Gate Bridge in triumph.
Director
Kon Ichikawa
Cast
Yujiro Ishihara
Masayuki Mori
Kinuyo Tanaka
Ruriko Asaoka
Hajime Hana
Gannosuke Ashinoya
Shiro Osaka
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Location scenes filmed in San Francisco and Hawaii. Released in Japan in 1963 as Taiheiyo hitoribotchi; running time: 104 min. Japanese release in CinemaScope; wide-screen process for U. S. release uncertain. Shown at the 1963 San Francisco International Film Festival as The Enemy, the Sea and at the 1964 New York Film Festival as Alone on the Pacific.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1963
Released in United States March 1963
Released in United States September 23, 1964
Shown at San Francisco International Film Festival March 1963.
Shown at New York Film Festival September 23, 1964.
Based on a true adventure in 1962.
CinemaScope
Released in United States 1963
Released in United States March 1963 (Shown at San Francisco International Film Festival March 1963.)
Released in United States September 23, 1964 (Shown at New York Film Festival September 23, 1964.)
