Details
Title: 火垂るの墓
Title (romaji): Hotaru no Haka
Also known as: Grave of the Fireflies
Format: Tanpatsu
Genre: History
Viewership ratings: 21.2%
Broadcast network: NTV
Broadcast period: 2005-Nov-01
Air time: 21:00~23:54
Theme song: Umarekuru Kodomotachi no Tame ni by Bank Band
Synopsis
This made-for-TV movie is a sobering tale of how war can bring out the worst in people. The writers added depth to the original Isao Takahata anime which mainly focused on the relationship between a teenage boy and his young sister left orphan during wartorn Japan and forced to find sustenance on their own.
The 2005 version focuses on the growing divide between the teenage boy and the family friend (played by Matsushima Nanako) who initially takes them in after their mother is killed during an air raid. As rice rations grow scarce, the kindly housewife soon turns cold as she has to choose between feeding her sick son or the two orphans.
The movie is in commemoration of the 60 year anniversary of the end of WWII, and at times, is remniscent of a CBS afterschool special. As if the antiwar message isn't already clear, at the end of this recent version, two of the main characters reiterate the tragedies of war. "Yes my daughter, war is bad. Look at what it has done to these poor kids."
Well casting, particularly of the little girl, makes the story enjoyable, but viewers might still prefer the original. Still, recent version was one of the highest rated programs of the year.
Cast
Matsushima Nanako as Sawano Hisako
Ishida Hoshi as Yokokawa Seita
Sasaki Mao as Yokokawa Setsuko
Ihara Tsuyoshi as Sawano Genzo
Inoue Mao as Sawano Natsu
Kaname Jun as Sawano Yoshie
Fukuda Mayuko as Sawano Hana
Iihara Narumi (飯原成美) as Sawano Yuki
Horie Shota (堀江晶太) as Sawano Teizo
Namase Katsuhisa as Yoshioka Toshiyuki
Orimoto Junkichi as town council chairman Obayashi
Takamatsu Hideo as the rice shop man
Fuwa Mansaku as the farmer
Okamoto Rei as Matsui Motoko
Danta Yasunori as Matsui Eisaku
Sawamura Ikki as Yokokawa Kiyoshi
Natsukawa Yui as Yokokawa Kyoko
Kishi Keiko as Mitsumura Natsu
Kubo Akira
Production Credits
Original writing: Akiyuki Nosaka
Screenwriter: Inoue Yumiko
Producer: Murase Ken (村瀬健)
Director: Sato Toya
Music: Sawada Kan
