Original subtitles

Art Festival Third Production - 1966

THE RED ANGEL � Vergilarchivum 2018

Original Story by Yoriyoshi Arima

Photography by Setsuo Kobayashi

Music by Sei Ikeno

Starring :

Ayako Wakao

Shinsuke Ashida Yusuke Kawazu

Directed by Yasuro Masumura

My name is Sakura Nishi,

I left Japan for China in May, 1939

I was assigned to the Tienstin Army Hospital

Nurse Taniguchi and you four, surgery.

Nurse Nishi and you three, general medicine.

Nishi.

Half of your patients are serious. The rest are not.

They're mainly TB and mentally ill patients.

Some aren't sick at all. Be careful.

Many can demonstrate a fever by agitating the thermometer.

Mental patients who've recovered pretend their sick.

They prefer being here to manning the front lines.

Seeing through their lies is your job.

You'll be with them every day.

Understand?

Outwardly it's just like a military hospital in Japan.

But in fact it's a field hospital.

You're new here?

Where was your last post?

After graduating I spent three years a Tokyo Army Hospital.

Born in Tokyo? Me too.

From the Kiba area.

So, your family is in the lumber trade?

Grandfather was, I don't remember.

Why not?

Father died before I was born.

Mother also, when I was two.

An aunt raised me.

How old are you?

I'm 24.

I'm Pvt. Sakamoto, also from Tokyo. Be good to me.

Tokyo, eh? Damn it!

I wish I was back there.

Nishi, time to make your rounds.

Stop it! I'll scream!

Go ahead.

Let me go! Let me go!

No use fighting back.

Everyone's bored. They'll enjoy the show.

I reported everything the next night.

I see. Pvt. Sakamoto again?

You're his third victim.

He isn't fully recovered, but this can't go on!

Hello, Nurse.

I'm being sent back to the front line.

A death sentence.

Congratulate me.

Thanks for everything.

Good luck.

I really enjoyed it. Next time it's my turn.

Stuck here all day. A man needs a woman.

My next posting, two months later, was even worse.

Hell couldn't be much worse.

It was a front line hospital.

FIELD HOSPITAL

Bullet wound.

He's dead.

Surgery.

Bury this one.

Amputation.

Dead.

Put my foot back on!

Forget it, son.

Amputation.

All right, son. We'll stop the pain.

No saving him.

Surgery.

Help me! Please!

Control yourself!

Separate the dead.

Amputation. At the thigh.

Anesthetic?

Just local.

He's a kicker, hold him down.

Idiot! Get back here!

Mother!

All right, he's ready. I'll sew him up.

Get me a bandage.

200 operations over three days and three nights.

Lt. Okabe, the surgeon,

the medics and nurse, all went without sleep.

Arm next. Hold him down.

More and more men were brought in.

Many died before surgery.

Some died during surgery.

Others died after the operation.

They all went to the morgue.

Get their tags or we won't know who is who.

There was a mountain of tags.

It was the end of the third day.

His pulse is strong.

He's lost too much blood.

He's a goner.

Nurse Nishi.

It's me, Sakamoto...

Save me, please!

I'm sorry about what happened.

I don't want to die! I want to live!

I'm begging you!

Don't leave me!

Nurse Nishi! Please don't let me die!

Don't kill me...

Doctor.

He needs a transfusion.

Anesthetic.

Only colonels and above get blood transfusions.

I know this man. Please, Doctor.

How do you know him?

He was my patient in Tienstin for a while.

He's not kin, or even a friend?

No, sir.

We're swamped. These others have a better chance.

If you come to my quarters tonight, I'll do it for you.

Thank you, sir.

Just this once!

I didn't want him to die.

I didn't want him to think that was my revenge.

That I'd deliberately kill him.

The transfusion didn't work.

By the end of the shift he was dead.

What's up?

No pulse. His pupils are dilated.

He's been gut shot, it kills them every time.

What a waste of precious blood.

We'll take him out. Throw him in the pile.

One more dead!

Who is it?

Nurse Nishi.

Excuse me.

So, you really came?

Were you joking?

No, I meant it.

Pour me some wine.

The spoils of war.

The man we gave the transfusion to died.

That's no surprise. It would've been a miracle.

I'm sorry I caused you trouble.

Don't play favorites with the patients.

Soldiers aren't human beings!

They're just weapons.

Why did you operate if you knew he'd die?

Before I was drafted,

I was a specialist surgeon.

But here I'm no doctor.

I have to decide who will live.

Whether I can save them or not.

Sometimes I long to be a doctor again.

I knew he'd die but I did my best anyway.

The last vestiges of my professional pride

made me go through the motions.

Have a drink. You'll sleep better.

Yes, sir, I will.

How can I save truckloads of them?

Ruptured blood vessels, smashed bones...

Loss of blood or gangrene gets most of them.

We've no blood and very little medicine.

So I cut off their arms and their legs...

Even those who don't need it...

They say that I'm an expert at it.

I've cut off hundred of limbs.

I've crippled hundreds of men.

God knows how many.

But you had to save their lives.

You think they believe that?

They'd be better off dead.

What I'm doing is wicked.

I either let them die, or I cripple them. That's all.

Am I a doctor?

It's a wonder I don't go mad.

The war's to blame. Not you.

the war, eh?

As we attack, our lines get longer.

The enemy turns around and attacks our rear,

where our defense are weak.

China's too big.

It's a stupid war.

But that's the Army's problem, not mine.

Get undressed.

I can't get drunk in front of a nurse.

That's an order!

Yes, sir.

There's no tomorrow on the battlefield.

We live from day to day.

What happens today, whatever we do, fades tomorrow.

You need not worry.

Now come here!

What's your first name, Nishi?

Sakura.

Sakura? Cherry blossom?

Just think, if you live long enough,

you will become a 60 or 70 year-old Sakura.

Cherry blossoms only last a few brief days.

I love my name.

I'd like to live up to my name.

Who named you?

My father. He died before I was born.

In photographs, he looks like you.

Enough wine. I need a shot now.

It's all in that drawer.

What kind of injection?

Never mind. Just do as I say.

Yes, sir.

It's morphine, sir.

Hurry up. It's almost dawn. There's no time.

I just want to sleep, to just forget everything.

Nishi, will you stay here until I fall asleep?

Summer nights are cold here.

If you're cold, you can share my blanket.

I was exhausted.

I only wanted to sleep.

Next!

Awake?

It's noon.

You've slept for ten hours straight. Get some more.

I must go.

They'll manage without you.

I said you're exhausted.

Doctor!

What?

Did anything happen?

You think that I took advantage of you?

You undressed me.

I didn't touch you... Not that it matters.

What does that mean?

You wouldn't understand.

I'll go back.

We nurses went back to Tientsin

in a truck with the sick and wounded.

By that time, I couldn't get Dr. Okabe out of my mind.

Perhaps I had begun to love him.

"TIENTSIN MILITARY HOSPITAL"

How was the front line?

Do I smell?

What of?

Blood and gore. I almost scrubbed my skin off but...

Your imagination. That's how you become a real nurse.

Matron, what is Dr. Okabe really like?

He's a fine officer, an excellent surgeon.

You're in charge of surgery this time.

Nurse, can you help me urinate?

In a moment.

Why were both of your arms amputated?

The left one was blown off.

Gangrene set in on the right one, so the doctor...

Thank you.

Which doctor?

Dr. Okabe. He caught the tetanus in time. I survived.

How long have you been here?

Six months. My wounds have healed, but...

You can't return to fighting. Going home? Have you a wife?

I shipped out two months after we married.

You want to go home, then?

Yes.

But, for some reason, I can't.

I only bother the others here.

Home will be better.

Pvt. Orihara's almost fully recovered.

He hardly feels any pain.

Why wasn't he sent home?

I wonder. But that is not our problem.

We're short of beds as it is.

It's best for him, and for us, that he goes home.

Nishi, that's quite enough!

It's not your place to make those kind of decisions.

Yes, ma'am.

I just feel sorry for him.

Nurses do not have feelings.

It's your duty to keep quiet and do your work.

I've given up.

I don't think I'll ever go home.

Never?

Thanks.

Not that I think that the war will last forever.

Why can't you go home?

A soldier who'd lost both legs was finally sent back.

They kept him hidden.

He can't even see his family.

They'll probably keep him institutionalized forever.

That's my fate, too.

But why?

If people saw me...

...they'd know how terrible war is, and hate it.

Some would think we're losing the war.

The Army brass wouldn't like that at all.

From time to time, I wish I was dead.

You poor man.

It must be agony.

But I'm used to it now.

The one unbearable thing...

What is it?

It's...

No, never mind. It's nothing.

Let's wipe you down.

Nurse Nishi, would you mind doing it at night?

Why? I can't show you any special favors.

I don't want the others to see me.

Tonight, after taps. Please.

Let's do it now.

I'm sorry to bother you.

Nurse Nishi...

Can you come every night from now on?

If you want me to.

Please. I'd like you to.

You nurses...

...take care of our meals and everything.

With never a frown.

It's our duty.

But there's one thing that no one does for me.

Do you follow me?

Nurse Nishi, I'm a man too.

I'm crippled but I'm still healthy.

The others all can manage somehow...

but I have no hands.

I'm helpless.

It's starting to drive me mad.

Do you understand?

Yes, I learned about that at nursing school.

Nurse Nishi, please save me.

Touch my body.

I beg you.

Have you asked the other nurses such a thing?

No, ma'am I've never asked anyone before.

Only you.

Nurse Nishi, I'm just filth.

I'm a hateful man.

I'm going to die without ever seeing my wife again.

Nurse Nishi, please help me!

Medicine, everything was scarce.

Poor Dr. Okabe could only amputate arms and legs.

However trivial, I decided I'd try to ease his burden...

...in my own way.

Nurse Nishi, am I asking too much?

Not at all.

Thank you.

You're the only one who cared to save me.

You poor, unfortunate man.

Nurse Nishi, please let me kiss you.

Just once is enough.

Sakura

I want to touch your body.

I don't mind, but...

Since I lost my hands...

...my toes have become very sensitive.

I can feel with them just like my hands.

So...

So?

Please.

Let me put my foot between your legs.

Please!

Alright.

I'm glad. I'm very happy.

Go out for a walk?

Yes, he can manage.

I think it will be good for him.

But all alone?

I'll escort him. I'm off today.

I see. All right, then.

We can't do much else for him.

Have him wear a coat...

...so his arms won't be too obvious.

Treat him to something nice.

What is it?

Where are we going?

Let's find a hotel.

Just leave everything to me.

Let's take a bath together.

Together?

I'll wash you.

You can look at me all you want to.

Do anything you like.

Tell me anything you want me to do for you.

Why are you doing this for me?

No particular reason.

I have no arms...

...but I can do things to make up for it.

But this won't happen again.

It's the last time.

Yes.

Probably.

Remember it.

I'll never forget what happened today.

I'm truly very happy.

Nishi, Private Orihara committed suicide.

How? He has no arms!

He jumped from the roof.

Fractured skull. He died instantly.

I can't believe it.

This was found under his pillow.

Used his mouth to write it, I guess.

It's to you.

I haven't told anyone else.

Sakura, I'll never meet anyone like you again.

So, there's no point in living.

Thank you and good-bye, Orihara.

Will you inform his family?

He'll be listed as killed in action.

And receive a promotion to Private First Class.

I believe I killed him.

I tried to help him, but I tortured him instead.

It does not concern you!

In war it's each for himself or there's no surviving it!

Forget him as soon as you can.

There's too much to forget.

I can never forget.

Pvt. Sakamuto and then Pvt. Orihara.

I killed them both.

A month later...

...we five nurses were transferred back to the front lines.

I'm back again. Been keeping well, sir?

Again? It seems you and I are fated.

You've been promoted. Congratulations.

The more people we kill...

...the more stars they give us.

It's a strange life.

Is there a major battle

Yes, Chang Kai-shek and his allies made an attack.

Our Army is stretched very thin.

They were cut to pieces.

The wounded are arriving in droves.

You have experience.

I'll have you removing bullets.

Can we manage?

We have to!

A handful of Japanese soldiers are pitted against all of China.

It's no easy war.

The wounded will increase...

...we're badly undermanned here.

You'll have to work twice as hard.

If not, good men will die.

Yes, sir! We will, sir!

The wounded are arriving, sir!

Be right there.

Water! Give me water!

Be careful! No dead in here!

The bullet is still in there. Remove it.

We began operating...

...and did so for two days and two nights.

I, alone, removed 160 bullets.

Can't save him. He's cut to pieces.

He's lost too much blood.

Do you know why the enemy did this?

No, sir.

He swallowed this. It's a secret code.

A communications man.

No time to burn it, so he swallowed it.

They cut him open to get it.

While he was still alive?

Yes.

A fine soldier.

You did your duty well.

A hero's death.

He's dead. Sew him up and ship him out.

Shrapnel in the lower back.

I'll have to operate.

Anesthetic.

I've changed my mind. Close him up.

Next patient.

Why did he stop? A waste of anesthetic.

Something different about him today.

The third night, after all of the soldiers had been treated.

Nishi?

Yes, sir.

Come in.

Yes, sir.

Sit and have a drink.

May I ask a question, sir?

What is it?

Why didn't you operate after the anesthetic?

Officers need not explain to lower ranks.

I'll explain, though you probably won't understand.

Why's that, sir?

You're a woman, but you have no marital experience, right?

What's marriage got to do with it?

He was wounded in the sacrum.

Here.

All the sensitive nerves...

...that govern sex are located there.

If I operated on those damaged nerves...

...what would be the result?

He'd lose his masculinity. Forever!

It made me think.

If it doesn't fester, he has a chance to live.

If a good doctor operates back home...

...he may leave the nerves intact.

So, I changed my mind.

I see.

I have no confidence in the work I'm doing here.

It's all wrong.

I kill those who'd recover, men better off dead, live as cripples.

But...

to men, becoming impotent...

...is worse than being crippled.

I'm tired. Give me a morphine shot.

I want some sleep.

Stay until I fall asleep...

...like you did last time.

Hold me, if you want to.

Yes, if I'll do, sir.

I wouldn't ask anyone else.

Will you stay 'till morning?

Don't worry. You'll be safe with me.

I won't even touch you.

Why not?

These days, I have no interest in women at all.

We're in different worlds.

I only want to sleep.

But why, sir?

You really want to know?

Yes, I do.

Alright, then. I'll tell you.

Since I started using morphine...

...I'm not a man any more.

I haven't been for a long time.

You have a wife, don't you?

She died three years ago, so it doesn't matter.

Please stop using morphine.

Why?

I want to be in your arms.

What?

I think I love you.

I want you to touch me.

You love me? What a strange girl.

You resemble my father.

A substitute, am I?

No! I really love you.

Sorry, I can't give up the morphine.

Why not?

I'm a doctor. But I can't do anything here.

Without the drugs, I can't go on living.

It's the same for soldiers.

They kill and pass it off as patriotism. That helps...

There are so many things that I'd like to forget.

Nishi, it's no use talking. Just give me the shot.

Then get into bed.

Yes, sir.

I missed you. I really did.

Good night. Good night, sir.

You swine! Letting maggots hatch!

What's the matter?

He removed a bandage and let flies settle on it.

Now it's festered!

Why did you do that?

He was afraid of being sent back.

He wants to be sent home!

What if you lose your leg?

It's better than dying!

My wife gave birth after I shipped out.

I've never seen my son!

Dr. Okabe wants to see you immediately.

I'm off to the front lines.

One doctor, two nurses...

...and three medics. We leave tomorrow morning.

Were you ordered to?

Yes.

It's a tough battle.

Only one doctor there...

He can't cope alone.

It's an emergency.

So, it's goodbye for a while.

Please take me with you.

It's too dangerous. You could be killed.

No! I don't want to leave you!

Why not?

I love you!

Love?

Do as you like.

But don't expect a life together.

This is war. We could die any day.

I wonder.

The only way is to regard everyone as strangers.

So stay.

Matron said that too.

But I refuse.

It's an order!

I refuse!

You disobey orders?

I do.

A traitor to Japan.

I'm afraid of one thing more than anything.

That is working and dying apart from you.

Don't worry. I'll be back. Wait for me.

No, please take me with you.

You're stubborn.

Who else, then?

Nurse Tsuruzaki.

She's new and inexperienced. I'll take care of her.

Even further from Japan.

It doesn't bother me.

Ever nearer to death.

I don't care.

Are you ready to die?

The cherry blossom has such a short life.

The sooner the better.

Halt!

Is Dr. Okabe here?

Yes. What is it?

Your new orders, sir.

Go ahead.

You're to stay with us until further orders.

We're in your hands.

We'll escort you there, sir.

Good man.

We're here, sir.

Excuse the men, ma'am.

It's their first sight of Japanese nurses.

They're ecstatic.

Time to head back.

I'm Lt. Ishida, in command of this outpost.

Please be seated.

Our headquarters are fifty kilometers from here.

The enemy has begun a massive attack.

They broke through our lines.

We've been cut off.

I see. So that's why our journey was cut short.

Yes, sir.

The enemy are better equipped and outnumber us.

We're unable to break through.

We're surrounded?

Yes, they've attacked twice.

A mobile squad helped fight them off.

Just one platoon here?

Yes, equipped with four light machine guns.

That's all we have.

Any civilian Chinese?

A handful of children and the elderly.

Doctor!

A 'comfort woman' has diarrhea.

I suspect cholera. Please examine her.

Attention!

It's cholera all right.

She's badly dehydrated.

Quarantine her and give warm water for 48 hours.

She may pull through.

How many comfort women here?

Two more, sir.

They may have it, too. Isolate them.

Disinfect this hut thoroughly.

It's off limits to the men!

Cholera? That's one more enemy.

Is there nothing we can do?

No drug beats cholera.

Just isolation and disinfection.

Ideally, raze the village and withdraw.

That's impossible.

This is a strategic point. We're ordered to...

...hold it at any cost.

In any case, the cholera must be contained.

Otherwise we all die.

Issue the men an acid gargle before meals.

The soldiers want the women who aren't sick.

Here they are.

Back to your cribs.

No! They're in quarantine.

How about you, then? Much more fun!

Stop it! Nurses aren't comfort women!

You're hungry, aren't you? Hungry for a man!

I'll pleasure you.

You animal.

This is the front. We either kill men, screw women...

...or eat rations. That's all!

We get what we can while we're still alive.

You idiots!

You want to die of cholera? Get out!

You doctors get your pick of nurses. We don't!

Twelve men and two comfort women are infected now.

That's seven dead.

How does it look?

There will be more.

The problem is that we lost half of our fighting strength.

If they attack, we'll be wiped out.

Sir, all of the remaining Chinese civilians

have slipped away.

Afraid of the cholera?

No doubt some spies too.

Spies?

They must have introduced the cholera virus.

They fed something to her.

So the enemy knows out exact disposition?

Yes. Expect an attack any time.

Contact HQ. Ask for reinforcements.

We can't, sir. Our radio gear is down.

Send a courier.

To certain death?

We're surrounded. No one could through alive.

We're expecting a truck tomorrow morning.

We'll just have to wait.

What's the matter, sir?

I've caught it.

Sergeant, a signal!

That's bad. They'll attack tonight.

The doctor's asking for you. Go at once.

Take a break, nurse.

You've worked all night. We'll take over.

Nurse Tsuruzaki.

Nishi?

Yes, sir.

Enter.

Nurse Nishi reporting for duty, sir.

What's the latest count?

Four new cases, sir.

If I catch it, I'll give it to you.

Same thing if you get it.

Why did you summon me, sir?

It's time for my shot.

I refuse.

But I need it.

Nishi, that's an order!

Morphine is only for the most critical of patients.

I'm starting to suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Soon the fits will come.

I don't want the others to see me half-crazed.

Please. Go get the morphine!

If you don't quit now, it will effect your brain.

Your heart will weaken, and you'll die.

I'm better off dead.

It's also the drugs that are keeping us apart.

Please give it up.

What would I gain?

You'd gain me.

You're a woman.

Yes, the woman who loves you.

How do I quit?

Please do as I say...

...as if I were a superior officer.

You're ordering me to quit?

I'll tie you up and do what I have to do.

Tie me up?

Yes.

We're caught between cholera and the enemy.

This could be our last night.

Be my superior officer tonight.

Do what you must. But don't let anyone in.

The Captain is down with cholera.

I'll take over the command.

I expect an attack tonight.

Man your positions!

Just tonight...

They'll attack tonight. The truck comes tomorrow.

We must not surrender the village!

Nurse Nishi...

Nishi.

You had it tough...

I'm over it now.

Untie me.

How long was I thrashing?

Five hours.

Two more have got it!

Please love me as a woman.

Please love me.

I can't.

I want to be a real woman. Not just a doll.

Make love to me.

I can't. I'm not a man any more.

No! That's all in your mind.

Without the morphine, you can.

Nishi, touch me.

That's what I am. Do you understand now?

I can't love you.

No, you're all right.

Hold me close, as tight as you can.

It's no use.

Don't give up. You can do it.

No. I'll never return to my old self.

You can. I know you can.

It's Oh-One Hundred Hours.

Not long until dawn. Hold out till then!

Their small arms don't frighten me.

But, if they bring in mortars, we're all dead.

I can hardly believe it, Nishi.

Nurse Nishi has won.

I'm myself again.

It's like a miracle.

Please say that you love your Sakura cherry blossom.

You want me to say that I love you?

I want you all to myself.

You already have.

Your heart, too.

Not in wartime, no. There's only fleeting pleasure.

Not for me.

I don't want to be a passing fancy.

I want to be your true lover.

I have no heart to offer you now.

Then I'll look for it.

It's Oh-Two Hundred Hours, already.

Another three hours and we'll be safe.

They like to attack at dawn! Be alert!

Sakura.

I love you. Now I can say it truthfully.

I'll never let you go.

Tonight we reached our greatest ecstasy.

Though by tomorrow, we may be dead.

You don't mind that?

This is all that's important to me now.

Get me the wine. It's my last bottle.

Let's drink a toast.

I didn't know that military women were so sweet.

Military women?

I mean you nurses. Put on my uniform.

Becoming?

Yes, wonderful. A fine officer!

The boots.

Would they salute me if I went out?

First, they'd laugh.

The sword and gun.

I'm afraid not.

Dr. Okabe, pour wine for your superior.

Here, Major.

Sergeant!

What is it?

The enemy!

I prefer being a woman.

Then let me give you some pleasure.

I can hear your heart thumping.

It's the wine.

Nishi.

I wish we'd met in Japan in peacetime.

They're attacking.

The enemy. There's no escape.

Will you die with me?

Yes! By your side.

I'm 40 years old.

A long life, yet short too.

I guess this is the end.

I can die happy. Because I love you.

Your mark, Sakura?

I'll give you one.

Where?

The same place as yours.

Thanks to you, I can die like a soldier.

Don't cry for me.

Enemy attack, sir!

Follow me!

Stay here!

Head down!

Hold your fire! It's still too dark.

Don't waste ammo! Wait 'till they're close.

What's the situation?

We're surrounded, sir.

They're using mortars to soften us up.

Before they attack.

It doesn't look good.

But it's an hour 'till dawn. There's a slim chance!

Good!

We're soldiers, too!

Orderlies and nurses will fight!

Fire! Give 'em all you've got!

Pull yourself together, nurse!

Protect your patients!

Here they come! Dig in!

Sergeant�s dead, sir!

I'll take command.

Fight! Fire at least one shot before you die!

I'm scared!

You'll fight!

I'm too scared!

Come back!

Go get her! She's gone crazy!

No, that'd be suicide.

I've killed yet again. She's my third victim.

Nogami!

Somehow, I survived.

Not even a scratch.

Anybody still alive?

Halt! Who goes there?

Army nurse!

We're reinforcements. We routed them. You're safe now.

Stay back! We have a cholera epidemic.

Cholera!

Send medical personnel immediately.

Any other survivors?

I don't know.

The cholera and the fighting took most of them.

I understand. Wait here.

Nurse Tsuruzaki! Forgive me.

This is how I will end up, too.

The bodies were stripped of their clothing.

Weapons, clothing, boots...

They took everything that they could possibly use.

Doctor!

Doctor!

Dr. Okabe!

THE END � Vergilarchivum 2018