“Emperor” is an interesting historical film depicting the behind-the-scenes machinations dealing with Japan’s surrender to the United States after World War II. This finely crafted motion picture from director Peter Webber (“Hannibal Rising” 2007) and screenwriters Vera Blasi and David Klass was adapted from the 2002 book “His Majesty’s Salvation” by Shiro Okamoto.
The plot centers on General Bonner Fellers and his investigation into exactly who in the Japanese government was responsible for ordering the Pearl Harbor attack and the subsequent war against America. The investigation was commissioned by General Douglas MacArthur, who must report on the findings back to Washington. We won’t dwell on the details, so you can enjoy the playing out of the story, but America’s decision to be lenient on Japan and let them rebuild (as was the case in Europe with Germany and Italy) is well known. There is also a romantic subplot in the film.
The cast delivers some sterling performances. Tommy Lee Jones is front and center as Gen. MacArthur, as is Matthew Fox as Gen. Fellers. Others include Eriko Hatsune, Toshiyuki Nishida, Masatoshi Nakamura, Kaori Momoi, Colin Moy, Shoehei Hino, and Takataro Kataoka as Emperor Hirohito. “Emperor” is an American-Japanese co-production that did not do well at the box office for Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate Films, and Shochiku Co.
Emperor (2012)
cinema
My Review
“Emperor” is an interesting historical film depicting the behind-the-scenes machinations dealing with Japan’s surrender to the United States after World War II. This finely crafted motion picture from director Peter Webber (“Hannibal Rising” 2007) and screenwriters Vera Blasi and David Klass was adapted from the 2002 book “His Majesty’s Salvation” by Shiro Okamoto.
The plot centers on General Bonner Fellers and his investigation into exactly who in the Japanese government was responsible for ordering the Pearl Harbor attack and the subsequent war against America. The investigation was commissioned by General Douglas MacArthur, who must report on the findings back to Washington. We won’t dwell on the details, so you can enjoy the playing out of the story, but America’s decision to be lenient on Japan and let them rebuild (as was the case in Europe with Germany and Italy) is well known. There is also a romantic subplot in the film.
The cast delivers some sterling performances. Tommy Lee Jones is front and center as Gen. MacArthur, as is Matthew Fox as Gen. Fellers. Others include Eriko Hatsune, Toshiyuki Nishida, Masatoshi Nakamura, Kaori Momoi, Colin Moy, Shoehei Hino, and Takataro Kataoka as Emperor Hirohito. “Emperor” is an American-Japanese co-production that did not do well at the box office for Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate Films, and Shochiku Co.