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 15:12, 23 September 2006 editAndman8 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers3,587 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 03:28, 24 December 2024 edit undoCitation bot (talk | contribs)Bots5,408,051 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 
(341 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|1980 Japanese science fiction film}}
{{Infobox Film |
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
name = Fukkatsu no hi |
{{Infobox film
image = Fukkatsu no hi.jpg |
| name = Virus
caption = ] ] 6.2/10 (272 votes) As of ], ] |
| image = Fukkatsu-no-hi.jpg
imdb_id = 0080768|
| alt =
director = ] |
| caption =
writer = Sakyo Komatsu (novel)<br> Kôji Takada,Gregory Knapp,Kinji Fukasaku (screenplay) |
| native_name = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} -->{{Infobox name module
starring = ]<br>]<br>] |
| 復活の日}}
producer = ] |
| director = ]
editing = Akira Suzuki |
| producer = ]{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=322}}
music = Kentaro Haneda<br>Janis Ian<br>Teo Macero |
| screenplay = {{plainlist|*Koji Takada
cinematography = Daisaku Kimura |
*Gregory Knapp
distributor = |
*Kinji Fukasaku{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=322}}}}
released = ] (U.S. release)|
| story =
runtime = 155 min. |
| based_on = {{Based on|'']''|]}}
language = ]<br>] |
| starring = {{plainlist|*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]}}
| narrator =
| music = ]{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=322}}
| cinematography = ]{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=322}}
| editing = ]{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=322}}
| production_companies = Haruki Kadokawa Office{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}}
| distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1980|6|28|Japan}}
| runtime = 156 minutes{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}}
| country = Japan{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=323}}
| language = {{plainlist|*English
*Japanese
*French
*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>
| gross =
}} }}


'''''Virus''''', known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Fukkatsu no Hi'''''|復活の日||lit. "Day of Resurrection"}}, is a 1980 Japanese ] ] directed by ].{{sfn|Bolam|Bolam|2011||page=113}}<ref name="Virus">{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/94867/Virus/|title=Virus|website=]|publisher=] (])|location=]|access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref> Based on ]'s 1964 novel of ],{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=322}} the film stars an international ] featuring ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].
'''''Fukkatsu no hi''''' (or ''']''' or '''Day of Resurrection''' in English) is a ] ] ] movie starring ] and ]. The film is notable for being the most expensive Japanese film ever made at the time.
==Plot==
{{spoilers}}
]
The movie opens with a shady transfer happening between a corrupt scientist and a group of Russian soldiers. The Russians acquire MM88, a deadly ] that magnifies the potency of any other virus or bacteria it comes in contact with. The Russians crash their plane and the virus is released creating a world wide epidemic. After several months the entire population is exterminated except for 863 scientists doing research at the ]. The virus becomes in active at -10 degrees ] sparing the 855 men and eight women. However, just as the group begins to repopulate the human race it is revealed an ] will set off the United States nuclear arsenal. After the weapons are fired Russian counter measures will automatically deploy. Unfortunately for the survivors a nuclear weapon is aimed at the Antarctica research base. Sonny Chiba and Captain McCloud (]} embark on a mission to disarm the weapons before the earthquake strikes. They are however too late and all but a few men and the women perish in the blast. Over the course of years Chiba's character walks back to Antarctica. Upon reaching the Andes he has a chance encounter with the remaining survivors.


At the time of its release, the film was the most expensive ] ever made.
==Background/Production==
] the producer of the film was the heir to ], major publishing empire in Japan. After his father died in 1975 he decided to create a cinema branch of the company and began producing many films in the late 1970s including Inugamike no ichizoku and Ningen no shômei. In 1978 production on Fukkatsu no Hi started. He wanted the film to be a big breakthrough in the international market so he tried to insure its success by casting some notable foreign stars and doing major international promotion (under the international title "Virus"). He also funded the largest budget of any Japanese film ever made at the time to solidify the movie as worthy of an international release.


==Plot summary==
The Chilean Navy allowed the film crew to use their ] "The Simpson" to film scenes aboard the two submarines in the film. A small amount of international publicity was given when a Swedish ship, the Lindblad Explorer, transporting a production unit to Antartica for location shooting, struck a submerged reef and almost sunk. Passengers were rescued by Chilean navy ships.
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".


Within seven months, virtually all the world's population has died off. However, the virus is inactive at temperatures below -10 degrees ], 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 ].
==Reception==

The film became a ] despite its enormous budget. Although it may have had some special showings in the United States and elsewhere, it did not receive a general release. It was sold directly to pay-tv and edited down to a 108 minute version. This version of the film was cut by more than 40 minutes leaving out the much of the love story and the entire trek back to Antarctica.
Several years later, as the group is beginning to repopulate their new home, it is discovered that an ] will activate the ] and launch the United States ].

The Soviets have ] 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 ], 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 ], 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 ] in 1988,<ref>'''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)</ref> 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==
* ] as Dr. Shûzô Yoshizumi{{sfn|Bolam|Bolam|2011||page=113}}
* ] as Yasuo Tatsuno
* ] as Dr. Yamauchi{{sfn|Mitchell|2001||page=231}}
* ] as Ryûji Sanazawa
* ] as Akimasa Matsuo
* ] as President Richardson
* ] as Admiral Conway{{sfn|Bolam|Bolam|2011||page=113}}
* ] as Senator Barkley{{sfn|Bolam|Bolam|2011||page=114}}
* ] as Captain McCloud{{sfn|Warren|Thomas|2016|page=617}}
* ] as Major Carter{{sfn|Bolam|Bolam|2011||page=113}}
* ] as Marit
* ] as General Garland
* ] as Commander Nakanishi
* Stephanie Faulkner as Sarah Baker
* ] as Dr. Edward Meyer
* ] as Dr. Latour
* George Touliatos as Colonel Rankin
* ] as Dr. Borodinov
* ] as Captain Lopez
* ] as Agent Z
* ] as Dr. Krause
* ] as Litha

==Background and production==
In the 1970s, producer ] formed the ]. Its releases included ]'s '']'' and ]'s '']'', with the latter having American cast members such as ]. Kadokawa began to develop films that were often based on literary properties held by Kadokawa's publishing arm.<ref name="midnighteye">{{cite web|last=Sharp|first=Jasper|url=http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/virus.shtml|title=Midnight Eye review: Virus (Fukkatsu no Hi, 1980, Kinji FUKASAKU)|date=9 April 2001|website=]|access-date=2 April 2017}}</ref>

The domestic box-office for these films was large, which led to Kadokawa putting US$16&nbsp;million into the film ''Virus'', making it the most expensive film in Japanese history on its release.{{sfn|Bolam|Bolam|2011||page=113}}{{Unreliable source?|date=February 2021}} The film was shot on location in ] and various locations throughout ], including ], ], and ]. The production was heavily supported by the ], who lent the ] ] for use as a filming location. Submarine interiors were filmed on-board ], an ] vessel that served in the ].

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.

] 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 ].

==Release==
''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=]|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}}

==See also==
* ]
* '']''
* '']''
* '']''
* ]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
{{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|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=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=bmmrKvOwa_IC&q=Sonny+Chiba+as+Dr.+Yamauchi&pg=PA231|title=A Guide to Apocalyptic Cinema|first=Charles P.|last=Mitchell|edition=Annotated|publisher=]|location=]|year=2001|isbn=978-0313315275|page=231}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfasDAAAQBAJ&q=Glenn+Ford+as+President+Richardson&pg=PA356|title=The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Films (National Cinemas)|editor-first=Salvador|editor-last=Murguia|publisher=]|location=]|year=2016|isbn=978-1442261662|pages=356–358}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Q1SAAAAQBAJ&q=Chuck+Connors+as+Captain+McCloud&pg=RA2-PA1900|title=Actors of the Spaghetti Westerns|first=James|last=Prickette|publisher=]|location=]|year=2012|isbn=978-1469144283|page=1900}}{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=January 2018}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0r8UCwAAQBAJ&q=was+Chuck+Connors+in+Virus+%281980+film%29&pg=PA617|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, The 21st Century Edition (2 vol set)|edition=21st Century|first1=Bill|last1=Warren|first2=Bill|last2=Thomas|publisher=]|location=]|year=2016|isbn=978-1476666181|page=617}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoJ4jTghUPYC&q=was+robert+vaughn+in+Virus+%281980+film%29&pg=PA678|title=The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies|first=R. G.|last=Young|publisher=]|location=]|year=2000|isbn=978-1557832696|edition=1st|page=678}}

{{Refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
*{{cite book|url=http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/1980/dd001950.htm |title=Virus|publisher= ]|language=Japanese|date=1980}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{imdb title|id=0080768|title=Fukkatsu no hi}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0080768|title=Virus}}
*
*{{Internet Archive film|id=VirusFukkatsuNoHi1980|date=1980}} (full length edit)
*{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/cco_virus |title=Virus|year=1980|publisher=Internet Archive}} (short edit)
*{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiPgnXygor8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/xiPgnXygor8 |archive-date=2021-12-18 |url-status=live|title=Virus|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} (full original cut)

{{Kinji Fukasaku}}
{{Mainichi Film Award for Excellence Film}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Virus (1980 Film)}}
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

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: