Horse 1941
In Kajirō Yamamoto's deeply moving pre-war drama Horse (1941), the bond between a young girl and her beloved horse unfolds against the backdrop of rural hardship.
Director: Kajirō Yamamoto
Cast
Hideko Takamine
Ine Onoda
Chieko Takehisa
Saku Onoda, Ine's mother
Kamatari Fujiwara
Jinjiro Onoda, Ine's father
Kaoru Futaba
Ei, Ine's grandmother
Takeshi Hirata
Toyokazu Onoda, Ine's older brother
Toshio Hosoi
Kinjiro Onoda, Ine's younger brother
Setsuko Ichikawa
Tsuru Onoda, Ine's little sister
Sadao Maruyama
Master Yamashita, the teacher
Sadako Sawamura
Kikuko Yamashita
Yoshio Kosugi
Zenzo Sakuma
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Horse (1941) about?
Horse (1941) tells the story of Ine Onoda, a young woman from a poor farming family who raises a colt from birth. As the horse grows, their bond deepens, but government orders force a heartbreaking decision when the animal is marked for military use. The film follows Ine's struggle to reconcile her love for the horse with the demands of duty.
Who directed Horse?
Horse was directed by Kajirō Yamamoto, a prominent Japanese filmmaker known for his emotionally resonant dramas that explore themes of society and human connection.
Who stars in Horse?
The lead role of Ine Onoda is played by Hideko Takamine, with Chieko Takehisa, Kamatari Fujiwara, Kaoru Futaba, and Takeshi Hirata rounding out the core cast.
Is Horse (1941) worth watching?
Though unrated on IMDb, Horse (1941) is a compelling drama with strong emotional weight, making it worth watching for fans of classic films and stories about human-animal relationships. Its themes of sacrifice and resilience add depth to its straightforward narrative.
How long is Horse?
Horse (1941) has a runtime of 127 minutes.
About Horse (1941) — A Heartbreaking Tale of Love and Sacrifice
In Kajirō Yamamoto's deeply moving pre-war drama Horse (1941), the bond between a young girl and her beloved horse unfolds against the backdrop of rural hardship. Ine Onoda, the elder daughter of a struggling farming family, raises a colt from birth, pouring her heart into its care. As the horse matures, so does their connection, transforming a simple animal into a cherished companion. But when government orders demand the horse be sold to the military, Ine faces an impossible choice—one that pits her love for the creature against the harsh realities of duty and survival.
Set in a time of economic and social tension, the film captures the quiet resilience of rural life while exploring themes of loss, sacrifice, and the fragile beauty of human-animal relationships. With its rich atmosphere and emotional depth, Horse (1941) remains a poignant reflection on the bonds that shape us, even in the face of adversity.
