Misplaced Pages

Virus (1980 film): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 16:24, 4 August 2024 edit66.44.9.23 (talk) Add link← Previous edit Latest revision as of 03:28, 24 December 2024 edit undoCitation bot (talk | contribs)Bots5,406,299 edits Altered title. Add: date, authors 1-1. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Spinixster | Category:Toho films | #UCB_Category 188/365 
(4 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 36: Line 36:
*French *French
*German{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}}}} *German{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}}}}
| budget = US$13 million<ref name="Virus1980CF">{{cite magazine |last=Lewis|first=David|date=September 1981|title= Virus|url=https://archive.org/details/cinefantastique_1970-2002/Cinefantastique%20Vol%2011%20No%203%20%28Sept%201981%29/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater|url-status= |magazine=Cinefantastique |location= |publisher= Fourth Castle Micromedia|access-date=October 7, 2024}}</ref>
| budget = US$16 million
| gross = | gross =
}} }}
Line 44: Line 44:
At the time of its release, the film was the most expensive ] ever made. At the time of its release, the film was the most expensive ] ever made.


==Plot== ==Plot summary==
In 1982, a shady transaction is occurring between an ] scientist, Dr. Krause, and a group of Americans involving a substance known as MM88. MM88 is a deadly ], created accidentally by an American ], that amplifies the potency of any other virus or bacterium it comes into contact with. The Americans recover the virus sample, which was stolen from a lab in the US the year before, but the virus is accidentally released after the plane transporting it crashes, creating a ] initially known as the "Italian Flu". In 1982, a shady transaction is occurring between an ] scientist, Dr. Krause, and a group of Americans involving a substance known as MM88. MM88 is a deadly ], created accidentally by an American ], that amplifies the potency of any other virus or bacterium it comes into contact with. The Americans recover the virus sample, which was stolen from a lab in the US the year before, but the virus is accidentally released after the plane transporting it crashes, creating a ] initially known as the "Italian Flu".


Line 93: Line 93:
''Virus'' was released theatrically in Japan on 28 June 1980 where it was distributed by ].{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}} ''Virus'' was released theatrically in Japan on 28 June 1980 where it was distributed by ].{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}}


Due to the box office failure of this movie, Kadokawa withdrew from producing major films. After that, they focused on movies starring idols such as ], ] and ], which achieved moderate success.<ref name="Kadokawa40thanniversary">{{cite web|url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20160806-XNTNT2XVJZISLPETVAKDPL5UEI/3/|title=草刈正雄６３歳が明かした「復活の日」撮影秘話　「僕の乗ったヘリがアンデスの山中で墜落したんです…」|website=]|publisher=Sankei Shimbun|location=]|access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> Due to the box office failure of this movie, Kadokawa withdrew from producing major films. After that, they focused on movies starring idols such as ], ] and ], which achieved moderate success.<ref name="Kadokawa40thanniversary">{{cite web|url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20160806-XNTNT2XVJZISLPETVAKDPL5UEI/3/|title=草刈正雄６３歳が明かした「復活の日」撮影秘話 「僕の乗ったヘリがアンデスの山中で墜落したんです…」|website=]|date=5 August 2016 |publisher=Sankei Shimbun|location=]|access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref>


The American version of the film was shown for review at the ] in May 1980 as a "work-in-progress" print. The non-English language footage was dubbed into English for this release and it ran at 156 minutes. It was initially released to home video in the United States with a 108-minute run-time and was presented on television with a 93-minute running time. The original Japanese-language cut was released to home video in 2006 with English subtitles.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}} The American version of the film was shown for review at the ] in May 1980 as a "work-in-progress" print. The non-English language footage was dubbed into English for this release and it ran at 156 minutes. It was initially released to home video in the United States with a 108-minute run-time and was presented on television with a 93-minute running time. The original Japanese-language cut was released to home video in 2006 with English subtitles.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}}
Line 110: Line 110:
{{Refbegin}} {{Refbegin}}


* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F98vK4yBAaAC&q=Masao+Kusakari+as+Yoshizumi&pg=PA113|title=Fictional Presidential Films: A Comprehensive Filmography of Portrayals from 1930 to 2011|first=Sarah Miles|last1=Bolam|first2=Thomas J.|last2=Bolam|publisher=]|location=]|year=2011|isbn=978-1462893171|pages=113–114}}{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=January 2018}} * {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F98vK4yBAaAC&q=Masao+Kusakari+as+Yoshizumi&pg=PA113|title=Fictional Presidential Films: A Comprehensive Filmography of Portrayals from 1930 to 2011|first1=Sarah Miles|last1=Bolam|first2=Thomas J.|last2=Bolam|publisher=]|location=]|year=2011|isbn=978-1462893171|pages=113–114}}{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=January 2018}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ICIPWfsWt4wC&q=Glenn+Ford+as+President+Richardson&pg=PA286|title=Glenn Ford: A Life (Wisconsin Film Studies)|first=Peter|last=Ford|edition=1st|publisher=]|location=]|year=2011|isbn=978-0299281540|page=286}} * {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ICIPWfsWt4wC&q=Glenn+Ford+as+President+Richardson&pg=PA286|title=Glenn Ford: A Life (Wisconsin Film Studies)|first=Peter|last=Ford|edition=1st|publisher=]|location=]|year=2011|isbn=978-0299281540|page=286}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7o8pq6G_dYC&q=Chuck+Connors+as+Captain+McCloud&pg=PA323|title=The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography|first=Stuart|last=Galbraith IV|publisher=]|location=]|year=2008|isbn=978-0810860049|page=323}} * {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7o8pq6G_dYC&q=Chuck+Connors+as+Captain+McCloud&pg=PA323|title=The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography|first=Stuart|last=Galbraith IV|publisher=]|location=]|year=2008|isbn=978-0810860049|page=323}}
Line 135: Line 135:
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
Line 150: Line 151:
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 03:28, 24 December 2024

1980 Japanese science fiction film

Virus
Original title 復活の日
Directed byKinji Fukasaku
Screenplay by
  • Koji Takada
  • Gregory Knapp
  • Kinji Fukasaku
Based onFukkatsu no hi
by Sakyo Komatsu
Produced byHaruki Kadokawa
Starring
CinematographyDaisaku Kimura
Edited byAkira Suzuki
Music byKentarō Haneda
Production
company		Haruki Kadokawa Office
Distributed byToho
Release date
  • 28 June 1980 (1980-06-28) (Japan)
Running time156 minutes
CountryJapan
Languages
  • English
  • Japanese
  • French
  • German
BudgetUS$13 million

Virus, known in Japan as Fukkatsu no Hi (復活の日, lit. "Day of Resurrection"), is a 1980 Japanese post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Kinji Fukasaku. Based on Sakyo Komatsu's 1964 novel of the same name, the film stars an international ensemble cast featuring Masao Kusakari, Sonny Chiba, George Kennedy, Robert Vaughn, Chuck Connors, Olivia Hussey, Edward James Olmos, Glenn Ford, and Henry Silva.

At the time of its release, the film was the most expensive Japanese film ever made.

Plot summary

In 1982, a shady transaction is occurring between an East German scientist, Dr. Krause, and a group of Americans involving a substance known as MM88. MM88 is a deadly virus, created accidentally by an American geneticist, that amplifies the potency of any other virus or bacterium it comes into contact with. The Americans recover the virus sample, which was stolen from a lab in the US the year before, but the virus is accidentally released after the plane transporting it crashes, creating a pandemic initially known as the "Italian Flu".

Within seven months, virtually all the world's population has died off. However, the virus is inactive at temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius, and the polar winter has spared the 855 men and eight women stationed in Antarctica. The British nuclear submarine HMS Nereid joins the scientists after sinking a Soviet submarine whose infected crew attempts to make landfall near Palmer Station.

Several years later, as the group is beginning to repopulate their new home, it is discovered that an earthquake will activate the Automated Reaction System (ARS) and launch the United States nuclear arsenal.

The Soviets have their own version of the ARS that will fire off their weapons in return, including one targeting Palmer Station. After all of the women and children and several hundred of the men are sent to safety aboard an icebreaker, Yoshizumi and Major Carter embark aboard the Nereid on a mission to shut down the ARS, protected from MM88 by an experimental vaccine.

The submarine arrives at Washington, D.C., and Yoshizumi and Carter make a rush for the ARS command bunker. However, they reach the room too late, and Carter dies in the rubble of the earthquake, deep in the bunker. Yoshizumi contacts the Nereid and tells them to try to save themselves, adding that the vaccine seems to have worked “If that still matters”. “At this point in time, life still matters,” the captain replies, telling Yoshizumi to stay where he is: He might be safe.

Washington is hit by a bomb, and the screen fills with atomic bomb after atomic bomb exploding. From there the movie's ending diverges based upon the two cuts. In the American version, the screen goes black for a moment, and the end credits roll over footage of the Antarctic and a poignant song sung by a lone woman's voice. The refrain is, “It’s not too late...” In the Japanese version, Yoshizumi survives the blast and walks back towards Antarctica. Upon reaching Tierra del Fuego in 1988, he finds survivors from the icebreaker, immunized by a since-developed vaccine. He reunites with the woman he fell in love with, they embrace, and Yoshizumi declares "Life is wonderful."

Cast

Background and production

In the 1970s, producer Haruki Kadokawa formed the Kadokawa Production Company. Its releases included Kon Ichikawa's The Inugamis and Junya Sato's Proof of the Man, with the latter having American cast members such as George Kennedy. Kadokawa began to develop films that were often based on literary properties held by Kadokawa's publishing arm.

The domestic box-office for these films was large, which led to Kadokawa putting US$16 million into the film Virus, making it the most expensive film in Japanese history on its release. The film was shot on location in Tokyo and various locations throughout Canada, including Kleinburg, Ottawa, and Halifax. The production was heavily supported by the Chilean Navy, who lent the submarine Simpson (SS-21) for use as a filming location. Submarine interiors were filmed on-board HMCS Okanagan (S74), an Oberon-class vessel that served in the Canadian Forces.

During filming, a Swedish cruiser used to transport crew was heavily damaged by a coral reef off the Chilean coast, and had to be rescued by the Navy.

Janis Ian wrote the lyrics to the song "Toujours Gai Mon Cher (You Are Love)" and performs it. In the closing credits, it is erroneously listed as "Tourjours Gai Mon Cher". The music was produced by Teo Macero.

Release

Virus was released theatrically in Japan on 28 June 1980 where it was distributed by Toho.

Due to the box office failure of this movie, Kadokawa withdrew from producing major films. After that, they focused on movies starring idols such as Hiroko Yakushimaru, Tomoyo Harada and Noriko Watanabe, which achieved moderate success.

The American version of the film was shown for review at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1980 as a "work-in-progress" print. The non-English language footage was dubbed into English for this release and it ran at 156 minutes. It was initially released to home video in the United States with a 108-minute run-time and was presented on television with a 93-minute running time. The original Japanese-language cut was released to home video in 2006 with English subtitles.

See also

References

  1. ^ Galbraith IV 2008, p. 322.
  2. ^ Galbraith IV 2008, p. 323.
  3. Lewis, David (September 1981). "Virus". Cinefantastique. Fourth Castle Micromedia. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  4. ^ Bolam & Bolam 2011, p. 113.
  5. "Virus". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  6. Dr. Latour: We've all had injections of my vaccine against the virus, which is why we have survived the last four years. (English, Kadokawa Shoten, 1980)
  7. Mitchell 2001, p. 231.
  8. Bolam & Bolam 2011, p. 114.
  9. Warren & Thomas 2016, p. 617.
  10. Sharp, Jasper (9 April 2001). "Midnight Eye review: Virus (Fukkatsu no Hi, 1980, Kinji FUKASAKU)". Midnight Eye. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  11. "草刈正雄６３歳が明かした「復活の日」撮影秘話 「僕の乗ったヘリがアンデスの山中で墜落したんです…」". Sankei Shimbun. Tokyo: Sankei Shimbun. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

Sources

External links

Films directed by Kinji Fukasaku
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
Mainichi Film Award for Excellence Film
1976-1980
1981-1990
1991–2000
2001–2010
2011–2020
2021–present
Categories: