The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On Poster

The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On 1987

★ 7.549 votes122 min📅 1987-08-01

Directed by the fearless Kazuo Hara, *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On* (1987) is a raw and unflinching documentary that follows Kenzo Okuzaki, a 62-year-old WWII veteran, on a relentless quest for truth.

Director: Kazuo Hara

Cast

Kenzo Okuzaki
Kenzo Okuzaki
Self
Masao Koshimizu
Self
Riichi Aikawa
Self
Masaichi Hamaguchi
Self
Toshio Hara
Self
Shichiro Kojima
Self
Taro Maruyama
Self
Toshiya Nomura
Self
Shizumi Okuzaki
Self
Eizaburo Oshima
Self

Frequently Asked Questions

What is *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On* (1987) about?

This documentary follows Kenzo Okuzaki, a WWII veteran, as he investigates the unexplained deaths of two soldiers in his unit during the New Guinea campaign. His journey takes him into the heart of Japan's wartime atrocities, forcing confrontations with survivors and officials to uncover buried truths.

Who directed *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On*?

The film was directed by Kazuo Hara, a pioneering Japanese documentary filmmaker known for his uncompromising and provocative style.

Who stars in *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On*?

The documentary stars Kenzo Okuzaki as the central figure, alongside Masao Koshimizu, Riichi Aikawa, Masaichi Hamaguchi, and Toshio Hara in key supporting roles.

Is *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On* (1987) worth watching?

Absolutely—if you appreciate documentaries that blend historical gravity with raw human drama, this film is a must-see. Its unflinching approach to wartime accountability and personal redemption makes it both thought-provoking and unforgettable, even without an IMDb rating.

How long is *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On*?

The runtime of *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On* is 122 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On (1987) — A Harrowing WWII Documentary by Kazuo Hara

Directed by the fearless Kazuo Hara, *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On* (1987) is a raw and unflinching documentary that follows Kenzo Okuzaki, a 62-year-old WWII veteran, on a relentless quest for truth. Haunted by the unanswered questions surrounding the mysterious deaths of two soldiers in his New Guinea unit, Okuzaki embarks on a solitary journey to confront survivors, relatives, and even former military personnel. With a camera as his only companion, he exposes the dark underbelly of Japan's wartime legacy, blending personal catharsis with national reckoning. The film's stark black-and-white cinematography and unfiltered interviews create an atmosphere of tension and moral urgency, making it a haunting exploration of guilt, memory, and the lingering scars of war.

More than just a historical account, this documentary is a gripping character study of a man driven by an unshakable sense of justice. Okuzaki's confrontational tactics and unwavering determination challenge viewers to question the boundaries of accountability and the cost of seeking redemption. As the boundaries between filmmaker and subject blur, the film becomes a powerful meditation on the complexities of truth and the weight of the past. A groundbreaking work in documentary filmmaking, *The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On* remains as relevant today as it was in 1987, demanding to be seen and reckoned with.