The Sun DVD Review

"THE SUN" reviews

DVD

THE SUN

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2006-02-17 16:32:12

Provider

DVD Review

Acclaimed Russian director Alexander Sokurov's dissection of Japan's doomed wartime leader, Emperor Hirohito, should come with a generous serving of strong black coffee, such is its laboured pace.

After studying the totalitarian rulers Lenin and Hitler in Taurus and Moloch respectively, Sokurov turned to this examination of Hirohito, set during the final days of World War II.

Filmed in a tense, paranoid and claustrophobic fashion (not unlike its equivalent-but-superior Downfall, which showed Hitler's embattled denouement), The Sun focuses on Hirohito's attempts to save his country's honour as the terrible truth dawns that Japan is heading for a crushing defeat.

Issey Ogata's portrayal of Hirohito is something to behold, as it swings from utmost seriousness to laughable farce in a film that seems somewhat stretched over the two hour duration .

Production notes and filmographies are included.