Akatsuki no Dassō

Escape at Dawn is a 1950 Japanese anti-war film directed by Senkichi Taniguchi. Co-written by Taniguchi and Akira Kurosawa, the film is based on Story of a Prostitute by Taijiro Tamura. The film revolves around a tragic affair between a soldier involved in the Manchurian campaign and a prostitute.
The film received two awards at the Mainichi Film Concours and was later remade by Seijun Suzuki at Nikkatsu.

Plot

Mikami, a Japanese soldier serving in China, is captured by Chinese forces. Although he is able to escape, he is treated with contempt by his peers. After falling in love with a prostitute named Harumi, she convinces him to desert the army and live with her.

Cast

Ryō Ikebe as Mikami
Yoshiko Yamaguchi as Harumi
Eitaro Ozawa as Adjutant
Hajime Izu as Oda
Haruo Tanaka as Noro
Setsuko Wakayama as Kaoru

Release

Escape at Dawn was released in Japan on 8 January 1950 where it was distributed by Shintoho.

Reception

Escape at Dawn was ranked as the third-best Japanese film of 1950 by Kinema Junpo critics. The film received two awards at the Mainichi Film Concours: Best Cinematography and Best Sound.