Technically, is perfect, and a good movie overall. But... I read Left-wing critics at the time critized the novel this is based on because of its "Sentimental Humanism". After watching this movie I think I cam see what they ment. I hadn't caught unto the fact that the director wanted to make a Socialist movie vilifying a specific regime (or that this movie could be considered that kind of movie at all). The previous movies always were critical of Imperial Japan, yes, but it was never the struggle of one group against another (by example, socialists against imperials), just the struggle of humanity against inhumanity. The ending of this film abandons this more humanistic struggle entirely, and simply depicts the tragic effects a certain ideology or regime can have on an individual. It is just so weird that after so much talk about the virtues of fraternity, hope, standing for one's ideals and don't giving up, the film ends with such a tragic tone. It makes me think about the tittle. What am I to conclude about the Human Condition? According to this movie, apparently it's nothing special, but sure is better than those fitlhy capitalist Pigs and their ideology! At least I didn't get that impression in the last five parts. It's the ending realistic? Yeah. Do all films need a happy ending? Of course not. But it really generates some serious tonal and discursive dissonance within itself, and within the previous 4 parts.
