The Idiot (1951) - full transcript
Kameda, who has been in an asylum on Okinawa, travels to Hokkaido. There he becomes involved with two women, Taeko and Ayako. Taeko comes to love Kameda, but is loved in turn by Akama. When Akama realizes that he will never have Taeko, his thoughts turn to murder, and great tragedy ensues.
A SHOCHIKU PRODUCTION
THE IDIOT
Associate Producer:
KOIDE Takashi
Based on the novel
by Fyodor M. DOSTO YEVSKY
Screenplay by HISAITA Eijiro
and KUROSAWA Akira
Photographed by
UBUKATA Toshio
Music by HAYASAKA Fumio
Cast
HARA Setsuko
MORI Masayuki
MIFUNE Toshiro
KUGA Yoshiko
SHIMURA Takashi
HIGASHIYAMA Chieko
YANAGI Eijiro
CHIAKI Minoru
SENGOKU Noriko
Directed by KUROSAWA Akira
PART ONE:
LOVE AND SUFFERING
HOKKAIDO IN DECEMBER
What a voice you've got there
I'm sorry
I was dreaming
Dreaming?
Sounded more like
you were dying
Indeed
I was on the verge
of being shot
I often have the same dream
I was a war criminal,
I was sentenced to be shot
You're still alive
At the last moment, they found
they had the wrong man
I was saved
But the shock of it
drove me crazy
I was in an American hospital
Down south?
In Okinawa.
But I'm better now
I was released
ten days ago.
So what's wrong you?
Idiocy
They say it's a kind
of epilepsy
I had fits, then I
became an idiot
An idiot?
Dostoevsky wanted to portray
a genuinely good man
Ironically, he chose
an idiot for his hero
But a truly good man may appear
as an idiot to others
This is the tragic story of the ruin
of a pure and simple man
Get up!
This poor man is sick!
There's no need...
Have your seat back
Accept kindness, idiot!
Sorry, I didn't mean it.
It's just a habit
Don't worry.
I don't mind
That's a relief
Are you cold?
Yes, very cold
You're some fellow!
It had been many years
since Akama had laughed
Dominated by his father,
he acted like a caged animal
Strangely, he came to like Kameda,
who made him laugh
Akama told Kameda
about Nasu Taeko
One look at her released
Akama's pent-up feelings
Enchanted by the woman,
Akama bought her a diamond ring...
... with his father's money
His father, enraged by
Akama's actions, disowned him
But now, with his father dead,
Akama is returning home
Kameda is also traveling to Hokkaido,
to see Ono, a relative
Another snowstorm
in Hokkaido
Look, you just follow me
That's her...
Nasu Taeko
Well? Don't you think
she's beautiful?
Very much so...
But...
But what?
When I look at her,
I feel pain inside
Why's that?
There's something
about her...
...she seems so very unhappy
What are you crying for?
I don't know.
Looking at this portrait...
You really are an odd one
You make me feel strange...
...as if I were looking
at a newborn lamb
I'll be heading off
Be careful,
the world's full of wolves
Kameda saw Taeko
and wept
A woman of ill repute
They said she'd been Tohata's
concubine since childhood...
... and that now, Tohata has to
pay 600,000 yen to get rid of her
Unbeknownst to Kameda,
her shadow now falls...
... upon his destination,
Ono's house
What are you going to do
about Kameda?
About Kameda?
Well...
The poor man is counting
on our help
I'll try to find him
some sort of work
Kayama has rooms for rent,
so he can stay there
Is that all?
What do you mean?
Well, your recent behaviour...
My behaviour?
You're being so secretive
All those meetings...
Tohata may have
a lot of influence...
...but forcing his woman
onto Kayama...
That's enough!
You know nothing!
I'm glad not to know
But any man who'd be so despicable
isn't welcome here!
- Yes, but...
- I'll not discuss it...
I want to talk to you
about that idiot
I'm against deceiving
such a poor, simple man
The army had reported
Kameda officially dead...
... and so Ono had sold
Kameda's inheritance...
... his father's 125-acre farm,
through Kayama
Kayama is now about
to marry Nasu Taeko...
... in exchange for 600,000 yen
But, Kayama is a weak man
who cannot assert himself
He would prefer to be with Ayako,
Ono's younger daughter
Good morning
Sleep well?
- Am I in the way
- Not at all
I was just listening to
Kayama's views on life
It's Taeko's birthday tomorrow.
You haven't forgotten?
- I know, sir
- Very well
Mr Tohata and I have
talked her into...
...giving you her answer
at the party
You'd better be there
I understand
Knock first!
Something I shouldn't hear?
Mr Kameda, lunch is ready
Ayako - headstrong,
like her mother
At times fastidious,
at times mean
What if all this were yours?
- "If..." you say?
- Would you be happy?
Yes, of course
- It may well be yours
- I'm afraid I don't understand
It's a beautiful sight!
What's the matter?
Why do you look at me like that?
Somehow, I just can't believe
that you're ill
I wish I weren't
But I am, aren't I?
No, it's all right.
I don't mind
People laugh at me
I'm strange without
even trying
What are you like?
I want to know more about you
What did you do before the war?
Well...
Rather not say?
It's not that so much...
I vividly remember the day
I was reprieved
Everything before that
now seems unreal
Tell me about it, then...
How did it feel when you were
facing certain death?
The world, its people,
everything...
...suddenly seemed
very dear to me
Everyone in the world?
Each and every person
I'd ever known...
Everyone I'd ever passed by
And not just the people...
There was a dog
I'd stoned as a child...
I wondered why
I couldn't have been kinder
To the dog?
Not just the dog...
Kinder to everyone
I thought that if I were ever pardoned
and didn't have to die...
...I promised myself
I'd be kinder and better...
...to everyone around me
"It's no use," I thought...
They really intended
to shoot me
The thought alone
made me feel ill
I sensed that I was
losing my mind
Where have you been?
Mr Kayama is waiting
to take you home
Where did you get to?
Don't ask. She's too stubborn,
she won't tell
And you be careful.
She's not likely to mention it...
...but she's uncommonly proud
of her looks
That's why she's
so headstrong
And isn't that so typical of her?
The haughty way she sits there,
eyes like daggers
Yes... quite striking
I felt the same
when I saw Nasu Taeko
She's so beautiful
Wherever did you run into Taeko?
I saw her portrait
in a photo studio window
I must see it!
Go on, tell me where.
I'm too curious
I'd like to see it, too
Not me
Really?
I wish to see Mr Kayama
Can you call him?
He's in the study
- Mother!
- Sorry not to send the girls...
...but I have my reasons
Madame summoned me?
What for?
Do you have any idea?
I mentioned Nasu Taeko,
and then...
What? Do you know her?
But how?
You obviously overheard Ono and I,
then passed on your gossip
No, I just...
Why did you do that?
I only mentioned
the picture at the station
Well it can't be helped.
Let's go
Look, I need you to
do me a big favour
Give Miss Ayako a letter for me
Is it a bother?
No. But why don't
you do it yourself?
You can see her any time
No, I can't. I have
good reason not to
I don't want anyone
else to see it
Besides, it's rather urgent
Mother's in the parlour
Mr Kameda, let's go upstairs
He asked me
to give this to you
I am inclined to be
somewhat outspoken
Don't be offended,
but I cannot abide dishonesty
We've been like relatives...
...so I'll speak to you like a mother
Do you intend to marry soon?
Not at all. Rather...
No...
No? Are you quite
sure about that?
Well, I...
You'd rather not say?
I must admit, when there's so much
secrecy over a betrothal...
...it does make one wonder
That's all I wanted to say
Now if you'll excuse me
I just got a real roasting
because of you
- But I...
- No excuses!
Did she respond to my letter?
Mr Kameda, please
We can go back together.
I'll wait outside
Go on, read this
Isn't that Mr Kayama's letter?
Yes, now read it.
Read it aloud to me
You gave it to me
"Tomorrow will decide my fate
"You need say but a single word...
"...if you still feel as you
once did towards me
"Tell me to cancel
my marriage...
"...and I will gladly do so"
He's about to marry,
seduced by power and 600,000 yen
A contemptible marriage
Now he wants me
to tell him to cancel it
He wants to trade my friendship
for 600,000 yen!
If he'd had the fortitude
to refuse...
...I might well have agreed to it
But no. Give it
back to him
Tell him I said friendship
cannot be bargained for
Friendship is not for trading
That's my response to him
Her answer?
Didn't you give it to her?
Yes, I did. Then she
asked me to read it
You read it?
She said to give it you back
She herself told you to read it?
Are you sure?
Yes, but I didn't want to
What an idiot!
She'd never ask you
to do any such thing
But she did.
I have her answer, too
Which is?
"Friendship is not
for bargaining"
That's what she said to tell you
"Friendship is not
to be bargained"
KAYAMA INN & LODG INGS
Not again
Telling your tales here, too.
It's disgraceful
- Any disgrace is yours
- Takako, don't
Apologize to Mr Kameda
It's your behaviour
that worries me
So he told you
everything, did he?
Don't be silly.
He's only this minute come in
All this talk about everything
being settled tonight
Who but Kameda would
blab about that?
It was me
Your sister's right
But why? Why her?
Why marry another
man's concubine?
She and Tohata are not
my concern
It's you I'm worried about
I want to know exactly why
you're marrying Taeko
That's easy
- He hates being poor
- That's enough...
I can't stand it anymore.
You're detestable
I dare you to repeat that
I shall. Any number of times
You're detestable,
and so is she
If you bring that woman here,
I shall leave home
If that's your wish
Don't think it ends here.
There's more
I wrote and told her everything
I've just told you
You bitch!
You look like you've
just seen a ghost
Go and announce me
Wait. Who will you say is here?
Such a strange fellow
Nasu Taeko
How do you know me?
Well, I...
Never mind that.
Just announce me
And marry her, I will
It's worth it to spite you
Miss Nasu is here
I let myself in before I froze
in your hallway
Why on earth do you look
so surprised?
Introduce me
My younger sister.
Nasu Taeko
My mother.
Miss Nasu Taeko
How do you do.
I'm glad you came
Are you really?
Then, I'm quite the fool,
aren't I?
I thought perhaps
I may not be welcome...
...in such palatial premises
as these
I don't see...
- Mother, a word
- Go make some tea
May I also sit down?
Please do
Don't be a nuisance, Dad.
We have visitors
My father. Miss Nasu Taeko
Kayama Jumpei is the name...
...a pitifully wronged
former soldier
Fifty years old, with nothing
but failure to show for it
This is Mr Kameda,
he's such an interesting fellow
A relative of Mr Ono's
Sorry, I treated you
like a servant
Well, I...
But still, how did you
know of me?
And why did you look so surprised
upon seeing me?
I felt as if somewhere...
...I'd seen your eyes before
So it is true
Where's my rival?
What are you doing here?
Who are you men?
Never! This pup?
Who are you?
Akama Denkichi,
with a pocketful of money
I'll buy and sell the likes of you
Get out of here
You'd actually marry
this fellow?
I remember you
Long ago, you gave me
a diamond ring
But why do you
question me now?
How do our marriage plans
concern you?
I'll pay 600,000 yen
if you give her up
What are you raving about?
You're drunk
700,000 yen! 800,000
Idiot! Leave, or I'll call
the police
One million yen.
By tonight
Arrange for one million tonight
So suddenly my price
has shot up by 400,000 yen?
- Scum!
- Father!
He's made you look
even more foolish
Shut up!
I will not. It's too sordid
and shameful
Either you remove her,
or I shall
Damn you!
That's enough
Don't meddle!
Let me go!
Stupid brother!
It's all right.
I don't mind
Not at all
You've no shame.
The man is a lamb
It's nothing
Nothing at all
Nothing
That's not the real you
That's not who you are
Everything she said
about me is true
Can you forgive me?
Mr Kayama, I shall
see you tonight
I expect you, too,
Mr Kameda
The hostess ignoring her guests?
What's the matter?
You look pale
Do you have a fever?
Do you think
that's why I'm here?
Why not rest a while?
There's something
I must tell you
You're very kind,
but I prefer to keep drinking
Whatever is the matter?
Enjoy yourselves
Mr Kameda has arrived
Kameda?
Not him again?
He ran into Taeko at my place
You were supposed
to escort him here
Show him in
Why him, of all people?
Because he's an idiot?
I hardly think so
He may even be
somewhat cleverer than you
At least in understanding
human feelings
- I knew it
- The nerve of you
It just happened...
Do you know what that's worth?
I have one question.
Didn't you give that vase to me?
Then let me do as I wish
I fully intended to break them,
in any case
I won't bother with
introductions
There's no-one here
worthy of it
What a remark
Fortunately, though,
we've already met
What's wrong? Why do you
stare at her like that?
I wonder, too.
Is anything the matter?
It just occurred to me...
I was sure I'd seen eyes
like yours before
I just remembered where
Eyes like mine?
Why is it I couldn't remember?
What was the person like?
Another who was
sentenced to die, like me
There were three firing posts...
...where they executed
three men at a time
I was at the rear of
two rows of prisoners
Minutes away from death
I never even dreamed
that I would get a reprieve
I felt sure it was
my time to die
And the man?
The one with eyes like mine?
He was in the first group
to be shot
He was barely
twenty years old
He had the face of a boy
Tied to the post,
he seemed to be in a trance
Then suddenly,
he began to tremble
He looked across at us
as if voicing a complaint
The eyes of a man who had
undergone torment and suffering...
...for a very long time
Those eyes seemed to ask...
"Why must I endure
such pain as this?"
He suffered terribly
His eyes seemed about ready
to burst and spurt blood
For a moment I forgot
I was about to be shot, too
I turned my eyes away
At times...
...your eyes are almost
exactly like that boy's
What next?
What happened to him?
The next thing,
I heard shots ring out
I turned to look at him...
...and there he was,
limp like a rag
Enough! It's far too
gruesome a story
This is supposed to be
a birthday party
Stop it, please
My birthday means
nothing to you, does it?
Mr Kameda...
Frankly...
They say I'm to marry
Mr Kayama
I'm supposed to give him
my answer tonight
Should I accept or not?
- Taeko!
- This is most improper
I'll do whatever you say
It's absurd
Please, Mr Kameda,
tell me
Taeko, why ask him?
What is he to you?
Don't you understand?
He trusted me the first time
he laid eyes on me
What else can I do
but return that trust?
So, tell me. Please advise me
what I should do
You should not marry him
Then I won't
Did you hear that, Mr Kayama?
That's my answer to you
That's ridiculous
What about the promise
you made just days ago?
Tohata, what's the meaning
of this?
Oh, I see. Now you're
satisfied, are you?
What?
It's obvious you're loathe
to part with your treasure
I'm the dupe, here
You? It's me who's been duped
It's all your doing
Friends shouldn't fight
Mr Ono, Mr Kayama...
...don't try to blame Mr Tohata
I shall never go back to him
What a face!
You needn't pay one yen
to be free of me
So you can put away
your 600,000 yen
I'll return the house to you,
and give back every single item
Taeko!
I'm leaving with only
what I'm wearing
No, Taeko
I was wrong.
I've been such a fool
It's too late
I'm no longer the fourteen
year old girl you procured
Listen to me.
I swear to you...
I don't care what
the world thinks
I'll marry you
How conceited to even
consider I'd marry you
Who are you?
What is this?
A million yen
You kept your promise?
Thank you
He'll pay a million yen for me
That's 400,000 more
than you
I'm through with this
As of tomorrow
I'm penniless
No man would accept
another's castoff...
...without a penny
to her name
Right, Kayama?
I thought Kameda
was your oracle
If it were up to me,
I would take care of you
What did you just say?
I said, if it were up to me,
I'd take you in
A woman like me?
The way I am?
Yes. Of course
But what do you mean,
"A woman like me?"
I don't understand
Why do you laugh?
Did I say it in a funny way?
All I wanted to say was...
...Miss Nasu is very chaste
That's enough, you idiot!
How dare you mock me?
I really am a sick man.
My brain is rotten
I may have said
something odd
But I honestly tried to express
how I feel about you
I don't care if the world
laughs at me
I do think you're chaste
You just said you'd leave,
taking nothing with you
That's fine with me
And I'll let no one
speak ill of you
So why feel ashamed?
Why sell yourself to a man like him
for a grubby million yen?
- Stop interfering
- Let me speak
You have suffered
too much on your own
To the point where you feel bad
when you're not in pain
You really are ill
You need a kind nurse
I'll become your nurse
and take good care of you
How do you expect to support
a high living woman like her?
You're a pauper
I'll find work, somehow
What work?
Shoveling snow?
I doubt he'd make 300 yen at that
Not even enough
to buy her cosmetics
That's enough.
Stop making fun of him
Thank you
No one has ever said anything
like that to me before
Miss Taeko...
I think...
...somehow it'll work out
When I first saw your picture...
...you seemed to be calling me
As a matter of fact...
...I've long waited
for a man like you
Even while enduring this life,
I have waited
I'd sit and think
I formed a mental image
of a man like you
I prayed a good, honest and kind man
would finally appear
"Taeko, it's not your fault
"I deeply respect you"
I truly hoped he'd phrase it
along those lines
But then, as always,
Tohata would come for me
He'd use me, deprave me,
then go away
You'll never know
how much I hated it
I'd rather fall dead...
...in the streets than
continue with this life
But...
I'm afraid your offer...
...is out of the question
Everyone, I have
an announcement
No, it's more of a confession
As a man, I'm despicable,
utterly and completely
I hid from everyone the fact...
...that Mr Kameda actually
has a fortune
As his relative, I believed it
in his best interest
Anyway, I wish to announce...
...that Kameda is the owner
of a 125-acre farm
Back off!
You really mean what
you said about her?
It's only a joke
What? So you and I...?
It's clear, isn't it?
I'll go with you
But why?
Surely not this crude fellow?
Get lost!
Listen...
I could never ruin the life
of one so innocent as you
You forgot something,
the million yen
It was tough to raise this much
Keep your distance!
I give it to Mr Kayama
Remove it with your bare hands,
and it's yours
It's burning!
A million yen going up
in flames
It's such a waste
Be quiet.
Let me go!
Mr Kayama, don't just
stand there
Hurry, or it'll be gone!
Mr Kayama, what's the matter?
Don't you want it now?
You little worm.
Take a good look
That's how we do things
Don't pretend.
Be yourself
Or you'll regret it
Pull it out, for God's sake.
What's a little pride?
Hurry!
It's all burning!
The fire...
It's safe. It's almost all intact
Only a few thousand yen
got burned
Stand aside
Listen, everybody...
...it's all for Mr Kayama
He watched it.
He would have let it burn
It's his by right
Is that clear?
With that, farewell to you all
Farewell, Mr Kameda
Come, men! Let's go drink!
Don't go, Kameda!
There's no saving such a woman
Kameda!
February
Ayako, don't play
with your food
Why are you all so quiet?
Something's going on
around here
It's the weather,
no sun for weeks
Everybody gets depressed
It's not that, I know.
It's that man, isn't it?
I really misjudged him
Why give him money
to squander on that woman?
But...
And the way you did it
displeases me
Wasn't there a better way?
Why involve Mr Karube?
And you, acting so secretively,
as if you were the guilty one!
And Kameda didn't even have
the grace to thank you
Perhaps he is an idiot?
What's so funny?
But...
Again? Is that all you can
ever say, girl?
But, Ayako...
What's she's up to this time?
Such young ladies
Tell me. What is it?
He sent her an odd letter
An odd letter? When?
A week ago.
Kayama's brother passed it on
That school boy?
Kameda used a schoolboy?
But Kameda is in Tokyo.
How could he?
He sent it from there
So? What was in the letter?
"Frankly, I have no idea why
I'm writing to you like this...
"But I simply cannot suppress
the hope that...
...perhaps you sometimes
entertain thoughts about me
"For reasons I find it
difficult to explain...
"...you are very important to me
"I've nothing else to say
or write about myself
"I wish you happiness, Kameda"
What's so funny?
It's the letter, isn't it?
Do you know why?
It's because Kameda never lies.
He's totally honest
That's stopped you laughing,
hasn't it?
Well, well. You lost that one,
didn't you?
But why did he send it?
Have you heard anything more
about those three?
Evidently he's still chasing Taeko,
just like Akama is
And Taeko, too...
...she swings like a pendulum
between them
She once said she'd marry Akama
but then ran away with Kameda
It's bound to blow up
- Forget something?
- No, but I...
...I felt someone looking
Like what, a murder or something?
Akama's not above murder
Stop, it's far too morbid
Come on in
Come as you are
Watch your step here
What's wrong?
Stop staring at me like that
Sit down
Akama, I want you
to tell me the truth
Was that you at the station?
I'm not admitting anything
A pair of eyes in the crowd
were exactly like yours
Whose eyes?
Or did I just imagine it?
Sometimes I have hallucinations
This room is dark, huh?
It's an old house
When I was 100 yards from here,
I knew this was your place
How?
Intuition, I had a feeling your house
would be just like this
So very dark
You have a forbiddingly
dark aura about yourself, too
You'll live here
after you marry?
Of course.
It's my home
When is the wedding?
You know I can't decide
such a thing on my own
Please, I wish you'd
tell me the truth
I'm not trying to meddle
or anything
But she's here,
in this house, isn't she?
You've both decided,
haven't you?
What if we did?
Is that why you're here?
Not really
But I really think it's best
if the two of you don't marry
I've said it before
Marriage would be
the ruin of both of you
There's nothing I can do
to stop you
But you understand,
don't you?
I can only feel sorry for her
Everything she does
worries me
I can't just watch
We talked about this before,
didn't we?
I ask only for her happiness,
nothing more
Why scowl at me?
I'll go back now
Goodbye
Stay. It's been quite a while
The minute you leave,
I know I'll start hating you again
You made me boil for a month
after we parted in Tokyo
I could've killed you
It's true
But face to face with you,
I soon forget my anger
And oddly enough,
I like you as much as ever
You're different.
We're totally opposite types
Have a drink
Now listen, you love her
because you feel sorry for her
I hate her as much
as I love her
I think it'd be easier
if she were dead
She hates me anyway
I gave her a beating
for hurting my feelings
No. Surely not?
Yes, I did
I sat outside her door for two days
without eating or drinking
The maid developed
a fear of me
That upset Taeko
and she came outside
Know what she said?
"What would you do
if I never forgave you?"
I said I was ready to die,
if need be
Then she wondered aloud
if I wouldn't kill her first
When I saw her again
about a week ago, she told me...
...she'd made up her mind
She said she was an outcast,
anyway, so she'd do as I told her
But she wanted
a little more freedom
Until she was satisfied
she'd had freedom enough
What do you think?
I don't understand it at all
Are you sure?
Shall I clarify things?
She's in love with another man...
...and that man is you
The hand of fate
She can never marry you
Why? Because it would ruin you
So she's decided to ruin herself with me!
What a thing to say
You're only imagining things
You're just jealous
That's enough
I wish I hadn't come...
...if my visit causes you
so much pain
Something told me
not to come
But I was hoping for
a more favourable parting
I only wanted
pleasant memories
You use that
for cutting paper?
Yes
But it's not a paper knife, is it?
It's a meat knife
But I can cut what I like with it
I suppose you can
It strikes me as being
very new, though
You think I can't afford
new things?
You're right,
what am I saying?
When my head
starts to get heavy...
...I sometimes say and
do things I don't mean
It's been getting worse lately
Perhaps it's a sign
of an approaching fit
Well, farewell.
I wish you luck
Take care.
I'll walk you out
What's that?
My mother.
She's praying to the ancestors
And you?
Do you ever pray?
What I mean is,
do you believe in a God?
Do I believe...
Not especially
I was made to pray as a child
With a mother like that,
I always carried a charm
I still do, in my wallet
I carry a sort of charm, too.
It's just a plain stone
Worthless to anyone else,
but it has great meaning for me
I told you, right?
The shock of being pardoned
just before execution...
...drove me insane
It was then and there
I picked up the stone
It's still precious to me
You have it now?
Show it to me
- Can I keep it?
- Why? What for?
I don't know.
I'd just like to have it
I'll trade you
my charm for it
A charm swap?
I remember I used to do that
with friends as a boy
Let's have tea with Mum
Mum, this is Kameda,
he's an old friend of mine
Make us some tea
Make the tea
Just relax
She doesn't know a thing
She doesn't even know I'm a lout
Right, Mother?
She likes you.
She'll share the cake offering
Eat it to please her
No need to shake hands
We've exchanged charms
There's nothing else for it.
Taeko is yours
You have her.
Think of me sometimes
What did I see?
What was it that shone?
END OF PART ONE
PART TWO:
LOVE AND LOATHING
Well, it's the naughty boy
That doesn't appear
to offend you
Mailman, messenger boy, runner.
What else are you?
No answer means you know very well
that it's wrong to deliver improper letters
Your attempt today
was rather clever
Stop wasting my time
Tell me, where is Mr Kameda
hospitalised?
He was released
Can fits be cured so quickly?
Are you disappointed?
Nice try, but you'll
not get even that way
What a fool I've been.
I needn't have rushed here
Then go home
That's enough.
I'll do as I please
You're such an ungrateful fellow,
aren't you?
Quiet, please.
He's a sick man
I know that.
I'm letting him off easy
In regards to the farm...
...why send this wretch over
like a debt collector?
What did you do, Mr Karube?
Well, you see...
You have a right
to what's yours
A right?
Just what did you do?
I'll be blowed.
You really don't know?
May I ask who is paying
for all your expenses?
This may sound
quite forward of me...
...but Mr Ono said I owned
the rights to a large farm
Mr Karube said he'd advance
money for it on good faith
I don't wonder!
He forced us to pay,
and said it was your insistence
You're both at fault,
but Karube is despicable
Don't run off.
I plan to take action
Please, don't
I meant to settle things properly.
I really did
Bilk one yen from him,
and you'll settle from a jail cell
You, too.
Outside
I have to have words
with Mr Kameda
You really are something
No, I'll not say more
One look at you
and the words melt away
I'm not being sarcastic
Forgive me...
...but your tolerance strikes me
as being almost cynical
What do I mean to say?
What have I been
talking about?
I remember.
It's time I asked after you
So, how are you?
Much better
But you'd better be careful.
You're quite pale
Still on your own?
Do you have a wife?
- No, I don't
- Forget the smile...
...I was a being
a tad sarcastic
But there's one thing
I must ask you
What is it?
I read your letter to Ayako
What did you mean?
It really was such a fine day
when I wrote it
Forget the weather
On a bright sunny day like that...
...man becomes filled with hope
What hope?
Surely not Ayako?
Are you in love with her?
- No...
- Are you sure?
Perhaps...
See? It's all quite clear
But what about Ayako?
From her, there's more
abuse than praise
She calls you an invalid
and an idiot
Don't be offended, though
She's my child to the core,
willful with a touch of craziness
She'll criticize or tease anyone
she happens to like
But don't hold out
any false hopes about her
It's a constant worry
having grown-up daughters
Did you hear about Kayama?
No. What about him?
He has designs on Ayako, too
He regained her trust
after that stunt with the money
He ended up giving it back to Taeko.
It established his credit
Be that as it may...
Oh, yes, I think I'd better
go warn him, too
Take care
By the way, I'd rather you didn't visit
Especially on a fine day
You get my drift?
Yes, of course
Ayako forbade me to visit
even before you mentioned it
What? When?
She wrote to me while I was in Tokyo
That messenger boy?
- What messenger boy?
- Never mind
What did she write?
"There is no hope
"I have no wish
to ever see you again"
That's the thrust of it
Knowing her, there is hope,
and she does want to see you
I'll get to the bottom of it, I will
Leaving already, Mrs Ono?
Is your family well?
Won't you stay for tea?
It's cold
What did Mrs Ono say
to you in the hallway?
Whatever it was,
it made you red in the face
Don't ask, then
What makes you like this?
Still carrying a grudge?
Regarding this matter,
I'm on your side
What matter?
Still avoiding it?
Didn't she warn you about Ayako?
It makes me so mad.
Does she think we're beneath her?
I'm only their employee
Mere words
But this won't do.
Get a grip on yourself
Ayako is just shy
Being so unpredictable
is a device to conceal her real self
- From Kameda's room?
- Yes
Kaoru's busy fixing
his ice carnival costume
He's happy enough
Be careful.
Mrs Ono gave him a warning, too
She was in a big hurry, too.
Something's afoot
- They're all crazy
- Mother...
Ayako, who are you
looking for?
Don't fret, it's too cold
for that invalid to be out
Who's that fool?
He's a clown
Messenger boy!
I hope he falls over
Be careful!
You're both making a fool of me
You too, Ayako.
You're making fun of your mother
Tell me what you're up to
What did that boy tell you?
Good evening.
I looked all over for you
Good evening.
Kaoru said that you're here
Let's go over there
I'm cold from standing
in one place
What a liar
It's hideous.
What were they thinking?
I'm going.
I've had enough of this nonsense
Just as I expected
Why do you stare at me?
Can't you greet me?
Let's go over there
See you at home.
Kayama will take me home
So you came?
Don't be overly proud.
You have no right to
Did you forget what you were
willing to do for 600,000 yen?
Is that her?
I want you to meet me here
at noon tomorrow
Come with me.
How dare she insult us?
Come, Noriko
Too bad. This is no place
for you, is it?
Don't tell me you're not angry
after what I did to you
We traded charms,
of course I trust you
I'm no good
Did you know Taeko
wants you to marry Ayako?
What do I care?
She wants you to be happy.
That means she loves you
Are you asleep?
You actually fell asleep?
It's you, is it?
I must have dozed off
Didn't someone else
try to wake me?
I thought another woman came
I must have dreamed it.
Yes, a dream
By "another woman,"
do you mean her?
What did you dream
about her?
All right!
I don't want to know
But can you explain
why you fell asleep?
Look
How silly it looks
It looked so grand last night
Why on earth did I come here?
You made me promise
to meet you here
I have little use for men
who fall asleep
But I didn't get to sleep
all night
Mr Kayama almost
committed suicide
- Wasn't he just pretending?
- It's possible
In that case,
I'll go easy on you
Come on, let's hurry
Do you know why I asked you
to meet me here?
It's because I can't stand
to hear them laughing at you
You're a bit...
I'll be frank...
At times your illness
makes you seem old
But you have a greater wisdom
than most people
And that's what's important
There are two kinds of wisdom,
the important and the unimportant
But few people realize that
No, actually Mother knows.
Me, too, but we're special
I've waited a long time
for a chance to tell you this
You sent me that letter, remember?
Ever since then, no,
even before that
But you chased her!
That woman!
Did you come back because of her?
I detest you!
I love Mr Kayama
- You lie
- No, it's true!
Ask this bench.
We often meet here
- Another lie
- Think as you like
Anyway, he's changed completely
To prove it, he cut off
his finger before my eyes
Which hand?
What's the difference?
He cut it off!
His fingers appeared
intact last night
Tell me the truth
You're crazy about Taeko,
aren't you?
Yes. But not in the way
you think
How do you know?
I'll say it again...
I don't really know
how I feel about her
I thought you wouldn't understand
What would you do?
If a beloved friend
of yours were...
...chained in a cage
and brutally beaten with a stick?
Filled with sorrow...
...you'd rather be beaten
yourself, right?
Whenever I see her,
she spurs that feeling in me
Maybe you can't understand
But I do
You only know she was once
concubine to another man
And that she suffered
a great deal as a child
But they are not her
only problems
When someone takes a piece of candy
from a sensitive child...
...he gets upset and throws away
all the candy
She's like that
If she weren't...
The thought drives me mad
She was badly hurt once
Because of that,
she unconsciously tries to ruin her life
I just can't stand it!
Why?
Don't you know that
she wrote to me three times?
Letters?
Here's one
She advises me to marry you
She harps on about it,
flattering me, provoking me
Last night, too
Mr Kayama was in the way,
and look how she responded!
The nerve of that woman!
Try to forgive her.
As I said before...
No, I can't think as you do.
It's all here, in her letter!
She wants to see you happy
That's a stupid,
sentimental act
And if not, it's jealousy,
or even worse
She's actually dividing us,
not uniting us!
- You can't think that
- I certainly do
You certainly what?
But Ayako asked me
to meet her there
I got there at noon,
then I fell asleep
You what?
I fell asleep while waiting
Well, I never!
How do you feel about Ayako?
About Ayako?
Well, do you like her,
or what?
I like her a lot
Then, how you could sleep
is beyond me
No, don't bother to explain
But assure me of one thing
Did anything occur which might
make a mother worry?
I don't think so
Then don't meet her outside.
Ayako catches cold easily
When you visit her,
do it properly
Come calling on her at home
You certainly are
a strange fellow
With no warning...
...you pay us a visit
in a blizzard
And you never fail
to surprise us
In March, a blue sky
shows behind the clouds
Occasionally there's thunder
That's just the way you are
I can't stand it
You sat with her like this
when you went away on that trip
And you talked of me?
Leave now! Go home
Never come back!
I'm a bottled future bride
I sit like this, as if I were
on display in a bottle
From bottle to bride
I hate it
Listen, let's go away together
Why do you come
every day?
Don't you realize
everyone's laughing?
I'm sick of seeing you
every single day
I was very cruel to you,
wasn't I?
Will you remember
and make me suffer for it?
Sometime in the future
Another letter from her.
The nerve of that woman
She says she'll also marry
when we do
What is it?
You look pale
Inconvenient for you?
Don't worry.
I'll never marry you... ever
Why do you all laugh at him?
Is Mr Kameda giving me
carnations so funny?
- No one's laughing
- Liar!
You put them in front
of me on purpose...
...then looked at Mr Kayama
and smiled
You always put flowers
in the centre
Don't fuss, dear.
It's not important
It's important to me!
Mr Kameda is much finer...
...far more decent...
...and purer than any of us
But in spite of that,
you all make fun of him
And of me
- Are you crying?
- No, absolutely not
But why is bringing me
carnations so funny?
Well, they are red.
It's absurd
Why's that?
Don't you know?
Red carnations mean...
Right, Mr Kayama?
Then I'll ask him
Tell me clearly.
Why is it so funny?
I don't know.
Maybe it's because red means love
I didn't know that.
I just thought...
Enough!
Even if Kameda sent them,
knowing they signify love...
...it would hardly
be a joke to me
I'd accept them gratefully
Ayako, please
Who cares? Foreign customs
don't apply in Japan
But what if they did?
He just got through saying
he didn't know that
Isn't that right?
Yes. But it's true
that I love her
What does that mean?
Is that a proposal?
Surely not!
I want...
...to marry her
But still...
Right, Satoko?
I reject the proposal.
Absolutely
I'd like to speak
with him in private
We certainly didn't anticipate it.
How did it end up like this?
Father, Mother wants to see you
Think it over,
you understand?
Look at her.
The poor child
But still...
We have no choice
but to let her decide for herself
Yes, but why him?
Still, deep in my heart...
...I somehow feel she's made
the proper choice
You mustn't look
Don't look at my face
But what a face it is
I beg your pardon?
It's reflected in the window
I think I know why
you seem so sad...
You mustn't say it
But it needs to be said
The way it is, a certain person
stands between us
Don't speak of it
Please stand up
Are you happy?
That's all I need to know
Did she make you happy?
What did she say to you?
I understand.
I'm so glad
But this must be our last meeting,
isn't that right?
Farewell
We're leaving tomorrow.
Probably never see you again
So why didn't you
answer her question?
Well? Are you happy?
So that's it?
You have no answer
A rare visitor is here...
Miss Ayako
Not for you, though.
And I don't wonder why
Last night you seemed pleased
about their engagement
She's visiting Kameda?
Need you ask?
Of course she is
They went out together in this storm.
It's maddening
Do you have the courage?
I do. But I'm still worried
No, you needn't worry
All I want is to understand
her motives
Last night, I thought it over,
and finally it came to me
If I talk to her,
it'll clear everything up
I may even come to like her
Is she here?
Yes, she is
But still...
Frightened of a mere girl?
Yes, I am
I'm afraid to even
look at her
She's the sum of
all my dreams come true
She has...
...everything that I've ever lost
To me...
...she represents an ideal
So that's why...
...I wrote to her
Through her, I wish to make
my dreams come true
But...
But if you get a look at her,
you may not like her
Please, let's not do it.
I really am afraid
What a face.
What's wrong?
You're pale, too
But... this is
important for us
This time I won't be impetuous
You are, of course,
fully aware...
...of why I asked to see you?
No, I'm afraid not
Yes, you do
What good would
it do me to pretend?
Never mind, then
But you're under
the wrong impression...
I haven't come
to quarrel with you
But I'm not the sort
to let things pass unnoticed
I came to give you
an answer to your letter
But before that,
I have a question
Do you have any idea
what sort of person Mr Kameda is?
I certainly do.
Far better than you
You're lying.
You couldn't possibly know
Why not?
Why not?
Because you only ever
think of yourself
You are so self-absorbed,
you don't even think of others
If you really understood Kameda...
...you wouldn't subject him
to such ridicule
Since when have I
subjected him to ridicule?
Why did you walk
out on him?
He's simple and naive.
Why did you deceive him?
Ayako, please
Look at him
Even now he's trying
to shield you
I've never met a kinder man
with a purer heart
That's why I love him
with all my heart
Is that all you came
to say?
No. One more important thing
My response to
your annoying letter
I'll speak frankly
You have no right
to interfere with us
Don't stand between us
A martyr at our expense
You act as though
you're some sort of tragic heroine
You mustn't say that
You were right,
she is not as I thought
Why was I such a fool?
For some reason I imagined...
...this jealous young lady
to be an angel
Listen to me
You yourself, don't even know why
you came today, right?
Shall I tell you why?
You wanted to see
what it is you're afraid of
- Afraid? Afraid of what?
- Me, what else?
You're worried sick
that maybe he loves me more
That's why you're here
You're wrong.
He only pities you, it's not love
But it amounts
to the same thing
I realized I don't have
the right to accept his love
That's why I...
Enough
Take your precious man and go!
I can't bear to look
Understand this.
It's you who makes him suffer
Hurry and take him
Take him and get out.
Go now!
No, I've changed my mind
We'll have a showdown
I shall command him
Then he'll abandon you
and stay with me forever
He'll marry me
And you'll go home
sobbing in misery
Is that what
you want? Is it?
Mr Kameda, which of us
will you choose?
I'll never let you go again
- Say you'll marry me
- No, not that
Ready?
If he fails to take my hand,
or if he stands by you...
That way he'll be yours,
and I'll have no need of him
Now, then, which
of us is it?
How did it come
to this?
Please, please.
I don't want you to blame her
She is just a poor,
ill-fated woman
Will you go for her?
Is she the one?
Hey!
I'll take over here
You go find Ayako
Ayako's not home
How could you take her there
and not bring her home?
It's Ayako
She's back, but she has
a raging fever
And the phone's dead
Good. I'll go right up
Understand this...
...it's all over. We've had
quite enough of you
AKAMA RESIDENCE
Come with me.
We need to talk
Is she at your place?
Yes, she is
Did you peek out at me?
Is she still here?
Stop it.
I told you, didn't I?
I'm not supposed
to be here
It's very cold.
Won't you light the stove?
No, I can't
Why not?
I felt I had to see you
Really? I guessed as much
I suspected that was it,
so I came looking for you
I've been thinking
about you
I thought I'd get you here
so we could talk tonight
Is she sleeping in there?
Yes, she is
Want to look?
But...
Never mind. Come in
It's very dark
We can see
You're trembling.
Careful you don't throw a fit
Oh no...
You did it?
Yes, I did
What do you intend to do now?
The way you tremble!
Don't push me!
You and I will stay
here tonight
It's hot. It's really hot,
isn't it?
What? Aren't you cold?
Listen, someone's coming!
I don't hear anything
See? She's sleeping there
She's not going anywhere
She's all ours now
We'll never give her up, will we?
Let's take turns watching
She has such a beautiful body
Take a look in the morning
I stayed with her all day
I've never seen anyone
so beautiful
But I'm worried
she may smell
The heat from
the stove does it
You smell it?
I don't think so
I wish we had
flowers to offer
I can't take any
from my family altar
Mum would notice
Maybe buy some?
We should bury her
in flowers
Come to think of it,
that'd be too pathetic
Listen...
There's one thing
I'd really like to know
How did you kill her?
Did you use that knife?
You know, the meat knife
Wait. Wait a minute
I've a few things
to ask you...
Tell me everything
First of all, I left here, right?
Did you do it then?
Right after.
The knife was on the table
But it's strange
The knife went in three inches.
No, even deeper
About here
But scarcely any blood came out
You know why?
I can explain it
Internal bleeding
Listen
Hear something?
Yes!
Footsteps
Hear them?
- Somebody's outside
- I hear it
Someone walking
Yes, walking
Look!
Wonderful!
Look at that cloud!
It's like a rainbow
It shines so oddly
It's coming. It's coming here
Rushing this way
And she's astride it
She's laughing
My Mum, too
They're here
Hurry, get on!
Someone, quickly!
Such thunder.
Even the weather's gone crazy
I hate having to visit
the infirm
Ayako, do something for him.
He's so upset
I told him not to come
A silly schoolboy.
Maybe he's an idiot, too
Kaoru, you come with me
Poor thing, I feel
ever so sorry for him
No matter what anyone says,
he was a fine person
There aren't many
like him around
And that worthless Karube
came bringing flowers
The man had tears
in his eyes
I don't want to talk about it
I promised I'd
watch him carefully...
...then tell you what he did
But I can't
Is it so bad?
Don't worry
All I know is
he was such a nice man
If we could only love people
the way he did...
...without any hate
What a fool I've been
I was the idiot
THE END
THE IDIOT
Associate Producer:
KOIDE Takashi
Based on the novel
by Fyodor M. DOSTO YEVSKY
Screenplay by HISAITA Eijiro
and KUROSAWA Akira
Photographed by
UBUKATA Toshio
Music by HAYASAKA Fumio
Cast
HARA Setsuko
MORI Masayuki
MIFUNE Toshiro
KUGA Yoshiko
SHIMURA Takashi
HIGASHIYAMA Chieko
YANAGI Eijiro
CHIAKI Minoru
SENGOKU Noriko
Directed by KUROSAWA Akira
PART ONE:
LOVE AND SUFFERING
HOKKAIDO IN DECEMBER
What a voice you've got there
I'm sorry
I was dreaming
Dreaming?
Sounded more like
you were dying
Indeed
I was on the verge
of being shot
I often have the same dream
I was a war criminal,
I was sentenced to be shot
You're still alive
At the last moment, they found
they had the wrong man
I was saved
But the shock of it
drove me crazy
I was in an American hospital
Down south?
In Okinawa.
But I'm better now
I was released
ten days ago.
So what's wrong you?
Idiocy
They say it's a kind
of epilepsy
I had fits, then I
became an idiot
An idiot?
Dostoevsky wanted to portray
a genuinely good man
Ironically, he chose
an idiot for his hero
But a truly good man may appear
as an idiot to others
This is the tragic story of the ruin
of a pure and simple man
Get up!
This poor man is sick!
There's no need...
Have your seat back
Accept kindness, idiot!
Sorry, I didn't mean it.
It's just a habit
Don't worry.
I don't mind
That's a relief
Are you cold?
Yes, very cold
You're some fellow!
It had been many years
since Akama had laughed
Dominated by his father,
he acted like a caged animal
Strangely, he came to like Kameda,
who made him laugh
Akama told Kameda
about Nasu Taeko
One look at her released
Akama's pent-up feelings
Enchanted by the woman,
Akama bought her a diamond ring...
... with his father's money
His father, enraged by
Akama's actions, disowned him
But now, with his father dead,
Akama is returning home
Kameda is also traveling to Hokkaido,
to see Ono, a relative
Another snowstorm
in Hokkaido
Look, you just follow me
That's her...
Nasu Taeko
Well? Don't you think
she's beautiful?
Very much so...
But...
But what?
When I look at her,
I feel pain inside
Why's that?
There's something
about her...
...she seems so very unhappy
What are you crying for?
I don't know.
Looking at this portrait...
You really are an odd one
You make me feel strange...
...as if I were looking
at a newborn lamb
I'll be heading off
Be careful,
the world's full of wolves
Kameda saw Taeko
and wept
A woman of ill repute
They said she'd been Tohata's
concubine since childhood...
... and that now, Tohata has to
pay 600,000 yen to get rid of her
Unbeknownst to Kameda,
her shadow now falls...
... upon his destination,
Ono's house
What are you going to do
about Kameda?
About Kameda?
Well...
The poor man is counting
on our help
I'll try to find him
some sort of work
Kayama has rooms for rent,
so he can stay there
Is that all?
What do you mean?
Well, your recent behaviour...
My behaviour?
You're being so secretive
All those meetings...
Tohata may have
a lot of influence...
...but forcing his woman
onto Kayama...
That's enough!
You know nothing!
I'm glad not to know
But any man who'd be so despicable
isn't welcome here!
- Yes, but...
- I'll not discuss it...
I want to talk to you
about that idiot
I'm against deceiving
such a poor, simple man
The army had reported
Kameda officially dead...
... and so Ono had sold
Kameda's inheritance...
... his father's 125-acre farm,
through Kayama
Kayama is now about
to marry Nasu Taeko...
... in exchange for 600,000 yen
But, Kayama is a weak man
who cannot assert himself
He would prefer to be with Ayako,
Ono's younger daughter
Good morning
Sleep well?
- Am I in the way
- Not at all
I was just listening to
Kayama's views on life
It's Taeko's birthday tomorrow.
You haven't forgotten?
- I know, sir
- Very well
Mr Tohata and I have
talked her into...
...giving you her answer
at the party
You'd better be there
I understand
Knock first!
Something I shouldn't hear?
Mr Kameda, lunch is ready
Ayako - headstrong,
like her mother
At times fastidious,
at times mean
What if all this were yours?
- "If..." you say?
- Would you be happy?
Yes, of course
- It may well be yours
- I'm afraid I don't understand
It's a beautiful sight!
What's the matter?
Why do you look at me like that?
Somehow, I just can't believe
that you're ill
I wish I weren't
But I am, aren't I?
No, it's all right.
I don't mind
People laugh at me
I'm strange without
even trying
What are you like?
I want to know more about you
What did you do before the war?
Well...
Rather not say?
It's not that so much...
I vividly remember the day
I was reprieved
Everything before that
now seems unreal
Tell me about it, then...
How did it feel when you were
facing certain death?
The world, its people,
everything...
...suddenly seemed
very dear to me
Everyone in the world?
Each and every person
I'd ever known...
Everyone I'd ever passed by
And not just the people...
There was a dog
I'd stoned as a child...
I wondered why
I couldn't have been kinder
To the dog?
Not just the dog...
Kinder to everyone
I thought that if I were ever pardoned
and didn't have to die...
...I promised myself
I'd be kinder and better...
...to everyone around me
"It's no use," I thought...
They really intended
to shoot me
The thought alone
made me feel ill
I sensed that I was
losing my mind
Where have you been?
Mr Kayama is waiting
to take you home
Where did you get to?
Don't ask. She's too stubborn,
she won't tell
And you be careful.
She's not likely to mention it...
...but she's uncommonly proud
of her looks
That's why she's
so headstrong
And isn't that so typical of her?
The haughty way she sits there,
eyes like daggers
Yes... quite striking
I felt the same
when I saw Nasu Taeko
She's so beautiful
Wherever did you run into Taeko?
I saw her portrait
in a photo studio window
I must see it!
Go on, tell me where.
I'm too curious
I'd like to see it, too
Not me
Really?
I wish to see Mr Kayama
Can you call him?
He's in the study
- Mother!
- Sorry not to send the girls...
...but I have my reasons
Madame summoned me?
What for?
Do you have any idea?
I mentioned Nasu Taeko,
and then...
What? Do you know her?
But how?
You obviously overheard Ono and I,
then passed on your gossip
No, I just...
Why did you do that?
I only mentioned
the picture at the station
Well it can't be helped.
Let's go
Look, I need you to
do me a big favour
Give Miss Ayako a letter for me
Is it a bother?
No. But why don't
you do it yourself?
You can see her any time
No, I can't. I have
good reason not to
I don't want anyone
else to see it
Besides, it's rather urgent
Mother's in the parlour
Mr Kameda, let's go upstairs
He asked me
to give this to you
I am inclined to be
somewhat outspoken
Don't be offended,
but I cannot abide dishonesty
We've been like relatives...
...so I'll speak to you like a mother
Do you intend to marry soon?
Not at all. Rather...
No...
No? Are you quite
sure about that?
Well, I...
You'd rather not say?
I must admit, when there's so much
secrecy over a betrothal...
...it does make one wonder
That's all I wanted to say
Now if you'll excuse me
I just got a real roasting
because of you
- But I...
- No excuses!
Did she respond to my letter?
Mr Kameda, please
We can go back together.
I'll wait outside
Go on, read this
Isn't that Mr Kayama's letter?
Yes, now read it.
Read it aloud to me
You gave it to me
"Tomorrow will decide my fate
"You need say but a single word...
"...if you still feel as you
once did towards me
"Tell me to cancel
my marriage...
"...and I will gladly do so"
He's about to marry,
seduced by power and 600,000 yen
A contemptible marriage
Now he wants me
to tell him to cancel it
He wants to trade my friendship
for 600,000 yen!
If he'd had the fortitude
to refuse...
...I might well have agreed to it
But no. Give it
back to him
Tell him I said friendship
cannot be bargained for
Friendship is not for trading
That's my response to him
Her answer?
Didn't you give it to her?
Yes, I did. Then she
asked me to read it
You read it?
She said to give it you back
She herself told you to read it?
Are you sure?
Yes, but I didn't want to
What an idiot!
She'd never ask you
to do any such thing
But she did.
I have her answer, too
Which is?
"Friendship is not
for bargaining"
That's what she said to tell you
"Friendship is not
to be bargained"
KAYAMA INN & LODG INGS
Not again
Telling your tales here, too.
It's disgraceful
- Any disgrace is yours
- Takako, don't
Apologize to Mr Kameda
It's your behaviour
that worries me
So he told you
everything, did he?
Don't be silly.
He's only this minute come in
All this talk about everything
being settled tonight
Who but Kameda would
blab about that?
It was me
Your sister's right
But why? Why her?
Why marry another
man's concubine?
She and Tohata are not
my concern
It's you I'm worried about
I want to know exactly why
you're marrying Taeko
That's easy
- He hates being poor
- That's enough...
I can't stand it anymore.
You're detestable
I dare you to repeat that
I shall. Any number of times
You're detestable,
and so is she
If you bring that woman here,
I shall leave home
If that's your wish
Don't think it ends here.
There's more
I wrote and told her everything
I've just told you
You bitch!
You look like you've
just seen a ghost
Go and announce me
Wait. Who will you say is here?
Such a strange fellow
Nasu Taeko
How do you know me?
Well, I...
Never mind that.
Just announce me
And marry her, I will
It's worth it to spite you
Miss Nasu is here
I let myself in before I froze
in your hallway
Why on earth do you look
so surprised?
Introduce me
My younger sister.
Nasu Taeko
My mother.
Miss Nasu Taeko
How do you do.
I'm glad you came
Are you really?
Then, I'm quite the fool,
aren't I?
I thought perhaps
I may not be welcome...
...in such palatial premises
as these
I don't see...
- Mother, a word
- Go make some tea
May I also sit down?
Please do
Don't be a nuisance, Dad.
We have visitors
My father. Miss Nasu Taeko
Kayama Jumpei is the name...
...a pitifully wronged
former soldier
Fifty years old, with nothing
but failure to show for it
This is Mr Kameda,
he's such an interesting fellow
A relative of Mr Ono's
Sorry, I treated you
like a servant
Well, I...
But still, how did you
know of me?
And why did you look so surprised
upon seeing me?
I felt as if somewhere...
...I'd seen your eyes before
So it is true
Where's my rival?
What are you doing here?
Who are you men?
Never! This pup?
Who are you?
Akama Denkichi,
with a pocketful of money
I'll buy and sell the likes of you
Get out of here
You'd actually marry
this fellow?
I remember you
Long ago, you gave me
a diamond ring
But why do you
question me now?
How do our marriage plans
concern you?
I'll pay 600,000 yen
if you give her up
What are you raving about?
You're drunk
700,000 yen! 800,000
Idiot! Leave, or I'll call
the police
One million yen.
By tonight
Arrange for one million tonight
So suddenly my price
has shot up by 400,000 yen?
- Scum!
- Father!
He's made you look
even more foolish
Shut up!
I will not. It's too sordid
and shameful
Either you remove her,
or I shall
Damn you!
That's enough
Don't meddle!
Let me go!
Stupid brother!
It's all right.
I don't mind
Not at all
You've no shame.
The man is a lamb
It's nothing
Nothing at all
Nothing
That's not the real you
That's not who you are
Everything she said
about me is true
Can you forgive me?
Mr Kayama, I shall
see you tonight
I expect you, too,
Mr Kameda
The hostess ignoring her guests?
What's the matter?
You look pale
Do you have a fever?
Do you think
that's why I'm here?
Why not rest a while?
There's something
I must tell you
You're very kind,
but I prefer to keep drinking
Whatever is the matter?
Enjoy yourselves
Mr Kameda has arrived
Kameda?
Not him again?
He ran into Taeko at my place
You were supposed
to escort him here
Show him in
Why him, of all people?
Because he's an idiot?
I hardly think so
He may even be
somewhat cleverer than you
At least in understanding
human feelings
- I knew it
- The nerve of you
It just happened...
Do you know what that's worth?
I have one question.
Didn't you give that vase to me?
Then let me do as I wish
I fully intended to break them,
in any case
I won't bother with
introductions
There's no-one here
worthy of it
What a remark
Fortunately, though,
we've already met
What's wrong? Why do you
stare at her like that?
I wonder, too.
Is anything the matter?
It just occurred to me...
I was sure I'd seen eyes
like yours before
I just remembered where
Eyes like mine?
Why is it I couldn't remember?
What was the person like?
Another who was
sentenced to die, like me
There were three firing posts...
...where they executed
three men at a time
I was at the rear of
two rows of prisoners
Minutes away from death
I never even dreamed
that I would get a reprieve
I felt sure it was
my time to die
And the man?
The one with eyes like mine?
He was in the first group
to be shot
He was barely
twenty years old
He had the face of a boy
Tied to the post,
he seemed to be in a trance
Then suddenly,
he began to tremble
He looked across at us
as if voicing a complaint
The eyes of a man who had
undergone torment and suffering...
...for a very long time
Those eyes seemed to ask...
"Why must I endure
such pain as this?"
He suffered terribly
His eyes seemed about ready
to burst and spurt blood
For a moment I forgot
I was about to be shot, too
I turned my eyes away
At times...
...your eyes are almost
exactly like that boy's
What next?
What happened to him?
The next thing,
I heard shots ring out
I turned to look at him...
...and there he was,
limp like a rag
Enough! It's far too
gruesome a story
This is supposed to be
a birthday party
Stop it, please
My birthday means
nothing to you, does it?
Mr Kameda...
Frankly...
They say I'm to marry
Mr Kayama
I'm supposed to give him
my answer tonight
Should I accept or not?
- Taeko!
- This is most improper
I'll do whatever you say
It's absurd
Please, Mr Kameda,
tell me
Taeko, why ask him?
What is he to you?
Don't you understand?
He trusted me the first time
he laid eyes on me
What else can I do
but return that trust?
So, tell me. Please advise me
what I should do
You should not marry him
Then I won't
Did you hear that, Mr Kayama?
That's my answer to you
That's ridiculous
What about the promise
you made just days ago?
Tohata, what's the meaning
of this?
Oh, I see. Now you're
satisfied, are you?
What?
It's obvious you're loathe
to part with your treasure
I'm the dupe, here
You? It's me who's been duped
It's all your doing
Friends shouldn't fight
Mr Ono, Mr Kayama...
...don't try to blame Mr Tohata
I shall never go back to him
What a face!
You needn't pay one yen
to be free of me
So you can put away
your 600,000 yen
I'll return the house to you,
and give back every single item
Taeko!
I'm leaving with only
what I'm wearing
No, Taeko
I was wrong.
I've been such a fool
It's too late
I'm no longer the fourteen
year old girl you procured
Listen to me.
I swear to you...
I don't care what
the world thinks
I'll marry you
How conceited to even
consider I'd marry you
Who are you?
What is this?
A million yen
You kept your promise?
Thank you
He'll pay a million yen for me
That's 400,000 more
than you
I'm through with this
As of tomorrow
I'm penniless
No man would accept
another's castoff...
...without a penny
to her name
Right, Kayama?
I thought Kameda
was your oracle
If it were up to me,
I would take care of you
What did you just say?
I said, if it were up to me,
I'd take you in
A woman like me?
The way I am?
Yes. Of course
But what do you mean,
"A woman like me?"
I don't understand
Why do you laugh?
Did I say it in a funny way?
All I wanted to say was...
...Miss Nasu is very chaste
That's enough, you idiot!
How dare you mock me?
I really am a sick man.
My brain is rotten
I may have said
something odd
But I honestly tried to express
how I feel about you
I don't care if the world
laughs at me
I do think you're chaste
You just said you'd leave,
taking nothing with you
That's fine with me
And I'll let no one
speak ill of you
So why feel ashamed?
Why sell yourself to a man like him
for a grubby million yen?
- Stop interfering
- Let me speak
You have suffered
too much on your own
To the point where you feel bad
when you're not in pain
You really are ill
You need a kind nurse
I'll become your nurse
and take good care of you
How do you expect to support
a high living woman like her?
You're a pauper
I'll find work, somehow
What work?
Shoveling snow?
I doubt he'd make 300 yen at that
Not even enough
to buy her cosmetics
That's enough.
Stop making fun of him
Thank you
No one has ever said anything
like that to me before
Miss Taeko...
I think...
...somehow it'll work out
When I first saw your picture...
...you seemed to be calling me
As a matter of fact...
...I've long waited
for a man like you
Even while enduring this life,
I have waited
I'd sit and think
I formed a mental image
of a man like you
I prayed a good, honest and kind man
would finally appear
"Taeko, it's not your fault
"I deeply respect you"
I truly hoped he'd phrase it
along those lines
But then, as always,
Tohata would come for me
He'd use me, deprave me,
then go away
You'll never know
how much I hated it
I'd rather fall dead...
...in the streets than
continue with this life
But...
I'm afraid your offer...
...is out of the question
Everyone, I have
an announcement
No, it's more of a confession
As a man, I'm despicable,
utterly and completely
I hid from everyone the fact...
...that Mr Kameda actually
has a fortune
As his relative, I believed it
in his best interest
Anyway, I wish to announce...
...that Kameda is the owner
of a 125-acre farm
Back off!
You really mean what
you said about her?
It's only a joke
What? So you and I...?
It's clear, isn't it?
I'll go with you
But why?
Surely not this crude fellow?
Get lost!
Listen...
I could never ruin the life
of one so innocent as you
You forgot something,
the million yen
It was tough to raise this much
Keep your distance!
I give it to Mr Kayama
Remove it with your bare hands,
and it's yours
It's burning!
A million yen going up
in flames
It's such a waste
Be quiet.
Let me go!
Mr Kayama, don't just
stand there
Hurry, or it'll be gone!
Mr Kayama, what's the matter?
Don't you want it now?
You little worm.
Take a good look
That's how we do things
Don't pretend.
Be yourself
Or you'll regret it
Pull it out, for God's sake.
What's a little pride?
Hurry!
It's all burning!
The fire...
It's safe. It's almost all intact
Only a few thousand yen
got burned
Stand aside
Listen, everybody...
...it's all for Mr Kayama
He watched it.
He would have let it burn
It's his by right
Is that clear?
With that, farewell to you all
Farewell, Mr Kameda
Come, men! Let's go drink!
Don't go, Kameda!
There's no saving such a woman
Kameda!
February
Ayako, don't play
with your food
Why are you all so quiet?
Something's going on
around here
It's the weather,
no sun for weeks
Everybody gets depressed
It's not that, I know.
It's that man, isn't it?
I really misjudged him
Why give him money
to squander on that woman?
But...
And the way you did it
displeases me
Wasn't there a better way?
Why involve Mr Karube?
And you, acting so secretively,
as if you were the guilty one!
And Kameda didn't even have
the grace to thank you
Perhaps he is an idiot?
What's so funny?
But...
Again? Is that all you can
ever say, girl?
But, Ayako...
What's she's up to this time?
Such young ladies
Tell me. What is it?
He sent her an odd letter
An odd letter? When?
A week ago.
Kayama's brother passed it on
That school boy?
Kameda used a schoolboy?
But Kameda is in Tokyo.
How could he?
He sent it from there
So? What was in the letter?
"Frankly, I have no idea why
I'm writing to you like this...
"But I simply cannot suppress
the hope that...
...perhaps you sometimes
entertain thoughts about me
"For reasons I find it
difficult to explain...
"...you are very important to me
"I've nothing else to say
or write about myself
"I wish you happiness, Kameda"
What's so funny?
It's the letter, isn't it?
Do you know why?
It's because Kameda never lies.
He's totally honest
That's stopped you laughing,
hasn't it?
Well, well. You lost that one,
didn't you?
But why did he send it?
Have you heard anything more
about those three?
Evidently he's still chasing Taeko,
just like Akama is
And Taeko, too...
...she swings like a pendulum
between them
She once said she'd marry Akama
but then ran away with Kameda
It's bound to blow up
- Forget something?
- No, but I...
...I felt someone looking
Like what, a murder or something?
Akama's not above murder
Stop, it's far too morbid
Come on in
Come as you are
Watch your step here
What's wrong?
Stop staring at me like that
Sit down
Akama, I want you
to tell me the truth
Was that you at the station?
I'm not admitting anything
A pair of eyes in the crowd
were exactly like yours
Whose eyes?
Or did I just imagine it?
Sometimes I have hallucinations
This room is dark, huh?
It's an old house
When I was 100 yards from here,
I knew this was your place
How?
Intuition, I had a feeling your house
would be just like this
So very dark
You have a forbiddingly
dark aura about yourself, too
You'll live here
after you marry?
Of course.
It's my home
When is the wedding?
You know I can't decide
such a thing on my own
Please, I wish you'd
tell me the truth
I'm not trying to meddle
or anything
But she's here,
in this house, isn't she?
You've both decided,
haven't you?
What if we did?
Is that why you're here?
Not really
But I really think it's best
if the two of you don't marry
I've said it before
Marriage would be
the ruin of both of you
There's nothing I can do
to stop you
But you understand,
don't you?
I can only feel sorry for her
Everything she does
worries me
I can't just watch
We talked about this before,
didn't we?
I ask only for her happiness,
nothing more
Why scowl at me?
I'll go back now
Goodbye
Stay. It's been quite a while
The minute you leave,
I know I'll start hating you again
You made me boil for a month
after we parted in Tokyo
I could've killed you
It's true
But face to face with you,
I soon forget my anger
And oddly enough,
I like you as much as ever
You're different.
We're totally opposite types
Have a drink
Now listen, you love her
because you feel sorry for her
I hate her as much
as I love her
I think it'd be easier
if she were dead
She hates me anyway
I gave her a beating
for hurting my feelings
No. Surely not?
Yes, I did
I sat outside her door for two days
without eating or drinking
The maid developed
a fear of me
That upset Taeko
and she came outside
Know what she said?
"What would you do
if I never forgave you?"
I said I was ready to die,
if need be
Then she wondered aloud
if I wouldn't kill her first
When I saw her again
about a week ago, she told me...
...she'd made up her mind
She said she was an outcast,
anyway, so she'd do as I told her
But she wanted
a little more freedom
Until she was satisfied
she'd had freedom enough
What do you think?
I don't understand it at all
Are you sure?
Shall I clarify things?
She's in love with another man...
...and that man is you
The hand of fate
She can never marry you
Why? Because it would ruin you
So she's decided to ruin herself with me!
What a thing to say
You're only imagining things
You're just jealous
That's enough
I wish I hadn't come...
...if my visit causes you
so much pain
Something told me
not to come
But I was hoping for
a more favourable parting
I only wanted
pleasant memories
You use that
for cutting paper?
Yes
But it's not a paper knife, is it?
It's a meat knife
But I can cut what I like with it
I suppose you can
It strikes me as being
very new, though
You think I can't afford
new things?
You're right,
what am I saying?
When my head
starts to get heavy...
...I sometimes say and
do things I don't mean
It's been getting worse lately
Perhaps it's a sign
of an approaching fit
Well, farewell.
I wish you luck
Take care.
I'll walk you out
What's that?
My mother.
She's praying to the ancestors
And you?
Do you ever pray?
What I mean is,
do you believe in a God?
Do I believe...
Not especially
I was made to pray as a child
With a mother like that,
I always carried a charm
I still do, in my wallet
I carry a sort of charm, too.
It's just a plain stone
Worthless to anyone else,
but it has great meaning for me
I told you, right?
The shock of being pardoned
just before execution...
...drove me insane
It was then and there
I picked up the stone
It's still precious to me
You have it now?
Show it to me
- Can I keep it?
- Why? What for?
I don't know.
I'd just like to have it
I'll trade you
my charm for it
A charm swap?
I remember I used to do that
with friends as a boy
Let's have tea with Mum
Mum, this is Kameda,
he's an old friend of mine
Make us some tea
Make the tea
Just relax
She doesn't know a thing
She doesn't even know I'm a lout
Right, Mother?
She likes you.
She'll share the cake offering
Eat it to please her
No need to shake hands
We've exchanged charms
There's nothing else for it.
Taeko is yours
You have her.
Think of me sometimes
What did I see?
What was it that shone?
END OF PART ONE
PART TWO:
LOVE AND LOATHING
Well, it's the naughty boy
That doesn't appear
to offend you
Mailman, messenger boy, runner.
What else are you?
No answer means you know very well
that it's wrong to deliver improper letters
Your attempt today
was rather clever
Stop wasting my time
Tell me, where is Mr Kameda
hospitalised?
He was released
Can fits be cured so quickly?
Are you disappointed?
Nice try, but you'll
not get even that way
What a fool I've been.
I needn't have rushed here
Then go home
That's enough.
I'll do as I please
You're such an ungrateful fellow,
aren't you?
Quiet, please.
He's a sick man
I know that.
I'm letting him off easy
In regards to the farm...
...why send this wretch over
like a debt collector?
What did you do, Mr Karube?
Well, you see...
You have a right
to what's yours
A right?
Just what did you do?
I'll be blowed.
You really don't know?
May I ask who is paying
for all your expenses?
This may sound
quite forward of me...
...but Mr Ono said I owned
the rights to a large farm
Mr Karube said he'd advance
money for it on good faith
I don't wonder!
He forced us to pay,
and said it was your insistence
You're both at fault,
but Karube is despicable
Don't run off.
I plan to take action
Please, don't
I meant to settle things properly.
I really did
Bilk one yen from him,
and you'll settle from a jail cell
You, too.
Outside
I have to have words
with Mr Kameda
You really are something
No, I'll not say more
One look at you
and the words melt away
I'm not being sarcastic
Forgive me...
...but your tolerance strikes me
as being almost cynical
What do I mean to say?
What have I been
talking about?
I remember.
It's time I asked after you
So, how are you?
Much better
But you'd better be careful.
You're quite pale
Still on your own?
Do you have a wife?
- No, I don't
- Forget the smile...
...I was a being
a tad sarcastic
But there's one thing
I must ask you
What is it?
I read your letter to Ayako
What did you mean?
It really was such a fine day
when I wrote it
Forget the weather
On a bright sunny day like that...
...man becomes filled with hope
What hope?
Surely not Ayako?
Are you in love with her?
- No...
- Are you sure?
Perhaps...
See? It's all quite clear
But what about Ayako?
From her, there's more
abuse than praise
She calls you an invalid
and an idiot
Don't be offended, though
She's my child to the core,
willful with a touch of craziness
She'll criticize or tease anyone
she happens to like
But don't hold out
any false hopes about her
It's a constant worry
having grown-up daughters
Did you hear about Kayama?
No. What about him?
He has designs on Ayako, too
He regained her trust
after that stunt with the money
He ended up giving it back to Taeko.
It established his credit
Be that as it may...
Oh, yes, I think I'd better
go warn him, too
Take care
By the way, I'd rather you didn't visit
Especially on a fine day
You get my drift?
Yes, of course
Ayako forbade me to visit
even before you mentioned it
What? When?
She wrote to me while I was in Tokyo
That messenger boy?
- What messenger boy?
- Never mind
What did she write?
"There is no hope
"I have no wish
to ever see you again"
That's the thrust of it
Knowing her, there is hope,
and she does want to see you
I'll get to the bottom of it, I will
Leaving already, Mrs Ono?
Is your family well?
Won't you stay for tea?
It's cold
What did Mrs Ono say
to you in the hallway?
Whatever it was,
it made you red in the face
Don't ask, then
What makes you like this?
Still carrying a grudge?
Regarding this matter,
I'm on your side
What matter?
Still avoiding it?
Didn't she warn you about Ayako?
It makes me so mad.
Does she think we're beneath her?
I'm only their employee
Mere words
But this won't do.
Get a grip on yourself
Ayako is just shy
Being so unpredictable
is a device to conceal her real self
- From Kameda's room?
- Yes
Kaoru's busy fixing
his ice carnival costume
He's happy enough
Be careful.
Mrs Ono gave him a warning, too
She was in a big hurry, too.
Something's afoot
- They're all crazy
- Mother...
Ayako, who are you
looking for?
Don't fret, it's too cold
for that invalid to be out
Who's that fool?
He's a clown
Messenger boy!
I hope he falls over
Be careful!
You're both making a fool of me
You too, Ayako.
You're making fun of your mother
Tell me what you're up to
What did that boy tell you?
Good evening.
I looked all over for you
Good evening.
Kaoru said that you're here
Let's go over there
I'm cold from standing
in one place
What a liar
It's hideous.
What were they thinking?
I'm going.
I've had enough of this nonsense
Just as I expected
Why do you stare at me?
Can't you greet me?
Let's go over there
See you at home.
Kayama will take me home
So you came?
Don't be overly proud.
You have no right to
Did you forget what you were
willing to do for 600,000 yen?
Is that her?
I want you to meet me here
at noon tomorrow
Come with me.
How dare she insult us?
Come, Noriko
Too bad. This is no place
for you, is it?
Don't tell me you're not angry
after what I did to you
We traded charms,
of course I trust you
I'm no good
Did you know Taeko
wants you to marry Ayako?
What do I care?
She wants you to be happy.
That means she loves you
Are you asleep?
You actually fell asleep?
It's you, is it?
I must have dozed off
Didn't someone else
try to wake me?
I thought another woman came
I must have dreamed it.
Yes, a dream
By "another woman,"
do you mean her?
What did you dream
about her?
All right!
I don't want to know
But can you explain
why you fell asleep?
Look
How silly it looks
It looked so grand last night
Why on earth did I come here?
You made me promise
to meet you here
I have little use for men
who fall asleep
But I didn't get to sleep
all night
Mr Kayama almost
committed suicide
- Wasn't he just pretending?
- It's possible
In that case,
I'll go easy on you
Come on, let's hurry
Do you know why I asked you
to meet me here?
It's because I can't stand
to hear them laughing at you
You're a bit...
I'll be frank...
At times your illness
makes you seem old
But you have a greater wisdom
than most people
And that's what's important
There are two kinds of wisdom,
the important and the unimportant
But few people realize that
No, actually Mother knows.
Me, too, but we're special
I've waited a long time
for a chance to tell you this
You sent me that letter, remember?
Ever since then, no,
even before that
But you chased her!
That woman!
Did you come back because of her?
I detest you!
I love Mr Kayama
- You lie
- No, it's true!
Ask this bench.
We often meet here
- Another lie
- Think as you like
Anyway, he's changed completely
To prove it, he cut off
his finger before my eyes
Which hand?
What's the difference?
He cut it off!
His fingers appeared
intact last night
Tell me the truth
You're crazy about Taeko,
aren't you?
Yes. But not in the way
you think
How do you know?
I'll say it again...
I don't really know
how I feel about her
I thought you wouldn't understand
What would you do?
If a beloved friend
of yours were...
...chained in a cage
and brutally beaten with a stick?
Filled with sorrow...
...you'd rather be beaten
yourself, right?
Whenever I see her,
she spurs that feeling in me
Maybe you can't understand
But I do
You only know she was once
concubine to another man
And that she suffered
a great deal as a child
But they are not her
only problems
When someone takes a piece of candy
from a sensitive child...
...he gets upset and throws away
all the candy
She's like that
If she weren't...
The thought drives me mad
She was badly hurt once
Because of that,
she unconsciously tries to ruin her life
I just can't stand it!
Why?
Don't you know that
she wrote to me three times?
Letters?
Here's one
She advises me to marry you
She harps on about it,
flattering me, provoking me
Last night, too
Mr Kayama was in the way,
and look how she responded!
The nerve of that woman!
Try to forgive her.
As I said before...
No, I can't think as you do.
It's all here, in her letter!
She wants to see you happy
That's a stupid,
sentimental act
And if not, it's jealousy,
or even worse
She's actually dividing us,
not uniting us!
- You can't think that
- I certainly do
You certainly what?
But Ayako asked me
to meet her there
I got there at noon,
then I fell asleep
You what?
I fell asleep while waiting
Well, I never!
How do you feel about Ayako?
About Ayako?
Well, do you like her,
or what?
I like her a lot
Then, how you could sleep
is beyond me
No, don't bother to explain
But assure me of one thing
Did anything occur which might
make a mother worry?
I don't think so
Then don't meet her outside.
Ayako catches cold easily
When you visit her,
do it properly
Come calling on her at home
You certainly are
a strange fellow
With no warning...
...you pay us a visit
in a blizzard
And you never fail
to surprise us
In March, a blue sky
shows behind the clouds
Occasionally there's thunder
That's just the way you are
I can't stand it
You sat with her like this
when you went away on that trip
And you talked of me?
Leave now! Go home
Never come back!
I'm a bottled future bride
I sit like this, as if I were
on display in a bottle
From bottle to bride
I hate it
Listen, let's go away together
Why do you come
every day?
Don't you realize
everyone's laughing?
I'm sick of seeing you
every single day
I was very cruel to you,
wasn't I?
Will you remember
and make me suffer for it?
Sometime in the future
Another letter from her.
The nerve of that woman
She says she'll also marry
when we do
What is it?
You look pale
Inconvenient for you?
Don't worry.
I'll never marry you... ever
Why do you all laugh at him?
Is Mr Kameda giving me
carnations so funny?
- No one's laughing
- Liar!
You put them in front
of me on purpose...
...then looked at Mr Kayama
and smiled
You always put flowers
in the centre
Don't fuss, dear.
It's not important
It's important to me!
Mr Kameda is much finer...
...far more decent...
...and purer than any of us
But in spite of that,
you all make fun of him
And of me
- Are you crying?
- No, absolutely not
But why is bringing me
carnations so funny?
Well, they are red.
It's absurd
Why's that?
Don't you know?
Red carnations mean...
Right, Mr Kayama?
Then I'll ask him
Tell me clearly.
Why is it so funny?
I don't know.
Maybe it's because red means love
I didn't know that.
I just thought...
Enough!
Even if Kameda sent them,
knowing they signify love...
...it would hardly
be a joke to me
I'd accept them gratefully
Ayako, please
Who cares? Foreign customs
don't apply in Japan
But what if they did?
He just got through saying
he didn't know that
Isn't that right?
Yes. But it's true
that I love her
What does that mean?
Is that a proposal?
Surely not!
I want...
...to marry her
But still...
Right, Satoko?
I reject the proposal.
Absolutely
I'd like to speak
with him in private
We certainly didn't anticipate it.
How did it end up like this?
Father, Mother wants to see you
Think it over,
you understand?
Look at her.
The poor child
But still...
We have no choice
but to let her decide for herself
Yes, but why him?
Still, deep in my heart...
...I somehow feel she's made
the proper choice
You mustn't look
Don't look at my face
But what a face it is
I beg your pardon?
It's reflected in the window
I think I know why
you seem so sad...
You mustn't say it
But it needs to be said
The way it is, a certain person
stands between us
Don't speak of it
Please stand up
Are you happy?
That's all I need to know
Did she make you happy?
What did she say to you?
I understand.
I'm so glad
But this must be our last meeting,
isn't that right?
Farewell
We're leaving tomorrow.
Probably never see you again
So why didn't you
answer her question?
Well? Are you happy?
So that's it?
You have no answer
A rare visitor is here...
Miss Ayako
Not for you, though.
And I don't wonder why
Last night you seemed pleased
about their engagement
She's visiting Kameda?
Need you ask?
Of course she is
They went out together in this storm.
It's maddening
Do you have the courage?
I do. But I'm still worried
No, you needn't worry
All I want is to understand
her motives
Last night, I thought it over,
and finally it came to me
If I talk to her,
it'll clear everything up
I may even come to like her
Is she here?
Yes, she is
But still...
Frightened of a mere girl?
Yes, I am
I'm afraid to even
look at her
She's the sum of
all my dreams come true
She has...
...everything that I've ever lost
To me...
...she represents an ideal
So that's why...
...I wrote to her
Through her, I wish to make
my dreams come true
But...
But if you get a look at her,
you may not like her
Please, let's not do it.
I really am afraid
What a face.
What's wrong?
You're pale, too
But... this is
important for us
This time I won't be impetuous
You are, of course,
fully aware...
...of why I asked to see you?
No, I'm afraid not
Yes, you do
What good would
it do me to pretend?
Never mind, then
But you're under
the wrong impression...
I haven't come
to quarrel with you
But I'm not the sort
to let things pass unnoticed
I came to give you
an answer to your letter
But before that,
I have a question
Do you have any idea
what sort of person Mr Kameda is?
I certainly do.
Far better than you
You're lying.
You couldn't possibly know
Why not?
Why not?
Because you only ever
think of yourself
You are so self-absorbed,
you don't even think of others
If you really understood Kameda...
...you wouldn't subject him
to such ridicule
Since when have I
subjected him to ridicule?
Why did you walk
out on him?
He's simple and naive.
Why did you deceive him?
Ayako, please
Look at him
Even now he's trying
to shield you
I've never met a kinder man
with a purer heart
That's why I love him
with all my heart
Is that all you came
to say?
No. One more important thing
My response to
your annoying letter
I'll speak frankly
You have no right
to interfere with us
Don't stand between us
A martyr at our expense
You act as though
you're some sort of tragic heroine
You mustn't say that
You were right,
she is not as I thought
Why was I such a fool?
For some reason I imagined...
...this jealous young lady
to be an angel
Listen to me
You yourself, don't even know why
you came today, right?
Shall I tell you why?
You wanted to see
what it is you're afraid of
- Afraid? Afraid of what?
- Me, what else?
You're worried sick
that maybe he loves me more
That's why you're here
You're wrong.
He only pities you, it's not love
But it amounts
to the same thing
I realized I don't have
the right to accept his love
That's why I...
Enough
Take your precious man and go!
I can't bear to look
Understand this.
It's you who makes him suffer
Hurry and take him
Take him and get out.
Go now!
No, I've changed my mind
We'll have a showdown
I shall command him
Then he'll abandon you
and stay with me forever
He'll marry me
And you'll go home
sobbing in misery
Is that what
you want? Is it?
Mr Kameda, which of us
will you choose?
I'll never let you go again
- Say you'll marry me
- No, not that
Ready?
If he fails to take my hand,
or if he stands by you...
That way he'll be yours,
and I'll have no need of him
Now, then, which
of us is it?
How did it come
to this?
Please, please.
I don't want you to blame her
She is just a poor,
ill-fated woman
Will you go for her?
Is she the one?
Hey!
I'll take over here
You go find Ayako
Ayako's not home
How could you take her there
and not bring her home?
It's Ayako
She's back, but she has
a raging fever
And the phone's dead
Good. I'll go right up
Understand this...
...it's all over. We've had
quite enough of you
AKAMA RESIDENCE
Come with me.
We need to talk
Is she at your place?
Yes, she is
Did you peek out at me?
Is she still here?
Stop it.
I told you, didn't I?
I'm not supposed
to be here
It's very cold.
Won't you light the stove?
No, I can't
Why not?
I felt I had to see you
Really? I guessed as much
I suspected that was it,
so I came looking for you
I've been thinking
about you
I thought I'd get you here
so we could talk tonight
Is she sleeping in there?
Yes, she is
Want to look?
But...
Never mind. Come in
It's very dark
We can see
You're trembling.
Careful you don't throw a fit
Oh no...
You did it?
Yes, I did
What do you intend to do now?
The way you tremble!
Don't push me!
You and I will stay
here tonight
It's hot. It's really hot,
isn't it?
What? Aren't you cold?
Listen, someone's coming!
I don't hear anything
See? She's sleeping there
She's not going anywhere
She's all ours now
We'll never give her up, will we?
Let's take turns watching
She has such a beautiful body
Take a look in the morning
I stayed with her all day
I've never seen anyone
so beautiful
But I'm worried
she may smell
The heat from
the stove does it
You smell it?
I don't think so
I wish we had
flowers to offer
I can't take any
from my family altar
Mum would notice
Maybe buy some?
We should bury her
in flowers
Come to think of it,
that'd be too pathetic
Listen...
There's one thing
I'd really like to know
How did you kill her?
Did you use that knife?
You know, the meat knife
Wait. Wait a minute
I've a few things
to ask you...
Tell me everything
First of all, I left here, right?
Did you do it then?
Right after.
The knife was on the table
But it's strange
The knife went in three inches.
No, even deeper
About here
But scarcely any blood came out
You know why?
I can explain it
Internal bleeding
Listen
Hear something?
Yes!
Footsteps
Hear them?
- Somebody's outside
- I hear it
Someone walking
Yes, walking
Look!
Wonderful!
Look at that cloud!
It's like a rainbow
It shines so oddly
It's coming. It's coming here
Rushing this way
And she's astride it
She's laughing
My Mum, too
They're here
Hurry, get on!
Someone, quickly!
Such thunder.
Even the weather's gone crazy
I hate having to visit
the infirm
Ayako, do something for him.
He's so upset
I told him not to come
A silly schoolboy.
Maybe he's an idiot, too
Kaoru, you come with me
Poor thing, I feel
ever so sorry for him
No matter what anyone says,
he was a fine person
There aren't many
like him around
And that worthless Karube
came bringing flowers
The man had tears
in his eyes
I don't want to talk about it
I promised I'd
watch him carefully...
...then tell you what he did
But I can't
Is it so bad?
Don't worry
All I know is
he was such a nice man
If we could only love people
the way he did...
...without any hate
What a fool I've been
I was the idiot
THE END