The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums (1939)

Highly Recommended

Japan

Feature Film

Original Title: 残菊物語

Director: Mizoguchi Kenji

Writers: Kawaguchi Matsutarō, Yoda Yoshikata, Muramatsu Shōfū

Cinematographers: Fuji Yozō, Miki Shigeto

Composers: Fukai Shirō, Itō Senji

Cast: Hanayagi Shōtarō, Takada Kōkichi, Kawarazaki Gonjurō, Mori Kakuko, Arashi Tokusaburo, Umemura Yōko

At the end of the 19th century, Kikunosuke, an entertainer of some popularity but only moderate talent, determines to leave Tokyo and the influence of his revered actor father in order to both refine his thespian talents and pursue Otoku, his baby brother’s recently fired nanny, in Mizoguchi’s beautifully elegant and desperately moving epic romantic tragedy. Iain.Stott