A lowly divorcee is tricked into becoming the mistress of a despised moneylender but soon falls in love with a student.A lowly divorcee is tricked into becoming the mistress of a despised moneylender but soon falls in love with a student.A lowly divorcee is tricked into becoming the mistress of a despised moneylender but soon falls in love with a student.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination
Eizô Tanaka
- Zenkichi, Otama's father
- (as Eizo Tanaka)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- Quotes
[first lines]
Osan, the marriage broker: It's true he's offering to keep you as his mistress. But the man is a widower who's living with his children. So, to be in his keeping is like marrying him. But there's his reputation to consider.
- Crazy creditsThis is a story from the time when migrating wild geese still flew over Tokyo.
- Alternate versionsSubtitled version and dubbed version available.
- ConnectionsFeatured in A Japanese Film Festival (1957)
Featured review
A poignant tale of sacrifice and lost dreams*
In late Meiji Japan, a young woman whose reputation had been sullied by being tricked into a false marriage is again deceived, this time into becoming the mistress of a 'widowed owner of a kimono-shop' (Eijiro Tono), only to discover that his is actually a detested money-lender with a living, and resentful, wife. The story is touching and melancholy and Hideko Takamine is outstanding as Otama, a wistful young woman who slowly realises that, as the 'kept woman' of a hated man, she has become a pariah. The rest of cast is excellent (Miki Odagiri is quite funny as Otama's sometimes exuberant maid) and the black-and white cinematography is moody and perfect for the story. Like many Japanese films of the era, cultural transition is a dominant trope. Otama always wears a kimono and keeps her hair in an ornate traditional style, while her 'master' frequently wears Western-style business attire, and the young medical student (Hiroshi Akutagawa) that Otama becomes infatuated with, dreams of travelling to Europe to train as a doctor. Tranquil, sad, and beautiful. Best watched on a quiet evening with a nice bottle of saké. *watched as 'The Wild Geese' with English sub-titles.
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- jamesrupert2014
- Oct 25, 2023
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Wild Geese
- Filming locations
- Hamacho, Tokyo, Japan(Shop Location)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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