The Burmese Harp (70th Anniversary)

In the last days of World War II, a Japanese platoon sustains morale through the Burma Campaign by singing traditional songs, accompanied by the delicate harp-playing of Private Mizushima (Shōji Yasui). After the unit surrenders to British forces, Mizushima must convince a holdout of cave-dwelling Japanese soldiers to lay down their arms. When his mission fails, he is counted among the dead.


Mizushima survives, however, and becomes a monk who dedicates his life to providing proper burials for his fallen comrades. Meanwhile, his former platoon attempts to track him down by using music to express a shared sense of separation and longing for home.


The Burmese Harp is adapted from Michio Takeyama’s classic novel and renowned for legendary composer Akira Ifukube’s haunting score. This epic humanist masterpiece contemplates suffering, redemption, and spiritual fortitude during the darkest periods of violence. Description adapted from Janus Films.


Director: Kon Ichikawa. Country: Japan. Released: 1956. Length: 116 min. Format: DCP. Language: Japanese with English subtitles.
Image courtesy of Janus Films