is a 1949 Japanese

action drama film The action film is a film genre that predominantly features chase sequences, fights, shootouts, explosions, and stunt work. The specifics of what constitutes an action film has been in scholarly debate since the 1980s. While some scholars such as ...

directed by

Motoyoshi Oda was a Japanese filmmaker who directed over 50 films in his career. An English major who graduated from Waseda University in 1935, Motoyoshi Oda was accepted into the directors' program at Tokyo's P.C.L. (Photo Chemical Laboratories, a film com ...

and co-written by

Akira Kurosawa was a Japanese filmmaker who List of works by Akira Kurosawa, directed 30 feature films in a career spanning six decades. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers in the History of film, history of cinema ...

, with special effects by

Eiji Tsuburaya was a Japanese special effects director, filmmaker, and cinematographer. A co-creator of the ''Godzilla (franchise), Godzilla'' and ''Ultraman'' franchises, he is considered one of the most important and influential figures in the history o ...

. The film has been called a "protest movie" which "portrayed a cornucopia of corruption and indicted every known example of postwar exploitation: black-marketeering, crooked politicians, blackmailing journalists, and a decaying aristocracy." ''Lady of Hell'' is regarded as one of Oda's most celebrated films.

Plot

It has been three and a half years since the

atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki On 6 and 9 August 1945, the United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively, during World War II. The aerial bombings killed between 150,000 and 246,000 people, most of whom were civili ...

, and Japan is facing severe economic turmoil due to inflation. In an effort to stabilize the economy, the tax authorities establish a "T-men" squad to investigate tax evasion, one of the primary causes of economic instability. The investigation focuses on Fujimura Sangyo, a company suspected of maintaining fraudulent financial records. Despite a thorough inspection by the T-men and police, the incriminating documents remain undiscovered. Meanwhile, journalist Tachibana is determined to uncover the truth and continues his pursuit of the case. At the same time, political figure Nango is romantically involved with former Countess Mibu, who also becomes the object of Fujimura's interest. As political corruption and corporate fraud intertwine, Tachibana discovers crucial evidence linking Nango and Fujimura Sangyo. However, before he can reveal his findings, he mysteriously disappears. The authorities intensify their investigation, leading to a dramatic confrontation between the police, the T-men, and the corrupt parties involved. Fujimura, desperate to protect his influence, resorts to extreme measures. In a final clash in Atami, Fujimura meets his downfall, bringing resolution to the tangled web of corruption. As the case concludes, the T-men reflect on their mission, stating, "The future is important."

Cast

Eitarō Ozawa , also credited as Sakae Ozawa (小沢栄), was a Japanese film actor and stage actor and director. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1935 and 1988, directed by notable filmmakers such as Kenji Mizoguchi, Mikio Naruse, Keisuke Kinoshita ...

as Fujimura *

Michiyo Kogure (31 January 1918 – 13 June 1990) was a Japanese film actress. She appeared in nearly 200 films in a career which spanned 45 years, starring in works by Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujirō Ozu, Mikio Naruse, and others. Film histor ...

as Mrs. Mibu *

Akitake Kōno was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than sixty films from 1943 to 1973. Career Kōno started acting with the Zenshinza theater troupe before joining the Toho Company, Toho studio in 1942. Mostly a character actor, he appeared in film ...

as Tachibana *

Takashi Shimura was a Japanese actor who appeared in over 200 films between 1934 and 1981. He appeared in 21 of Akira Kurosawa's 30 films (more than any other actor), including as a lead actor in '' Drunken Angel'' (1948), '' Rashomon'' (1950), '' Ikiru'' (1952) ...

as Chief of Police *

Minoru Takada Minoru is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese former president of Nintendo of America *, Japanese actor *, Japanese professional wrestler *, Japanese naval general *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese ...

as Doi * Shin Tokudaiji as Yoshioka * Ichiro Ryuzaki as Nango * Kinzō Shin as Kano * Yasuo Hisamatsu as Mihara

Production

Crew

– director *

– special effects director *

Tomoyuki Tanaka was a Japanese film producer, best known as the creator of Godzilla. He produced most of the installments in the ''Godzilla'' series, beginning in 1954 with ''Godzilla'' and ending in 1995 with '' Godzilla vs. Destoroyah''. He was one of the mo ...

– producer *

– screenwriter * Minoru Esaka – art director * Akira Watanabe – special effects art director Personnel taken from Eiga.com.

Development

The film is one of Toho's first films to use heavy special effects, the technology was then reused for the 1954 ''Godzilla'' film. The film's screenplay was co-written by

and Motosada Nishiki.

Release

Theatrical

''Lady from Hell'' was released in Japan on March 15, 1949, where it was distributed by

Toho is a Japanese entertainment company that primarily engages in producing and distributing films and exhibiting stage plays. It is headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Osaka-based Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group. ...

Home media

''Asahi Shimbun Publishing'' – DVD * Released: October 21, 2019 * Audio: Japanese * Subtitles: Japanese * Discs: 1 * Extras: * Still gallery * Theatrical poster *

References

Sources

* *

External links

* * {{Motoyoshi Oda 1949 drama films 1949 films Films with screenplays by Akira Kurosawa Japanese black-and-white films Films directed by Motoyoshi Oda Japanese action drama films 1940s action drama films 1940s Japanese-language films