The Burmese Harp
| Synopsis |
Kon Ichikawa’s Buddhist tale of peace, The Burmese Harp, is universally relevant in various eras and cultures, although it comments specifically on the destruction of Burma during World War II. Based on the novel by Michio Takeyama, The Burmese Harp stars a Japanese platoon stationed in Burma whose choir skills are inspired by their star musician, Private Mizushima (Rentaro Mikuni), who strums his harp to cheer the homesick soldiers. As the troop surrenders to the British and is interred in Mudon prison camp, Mizushima escapes to be faced with not only his imminent death, but also the deaths of thousands of other soldiers and civilians. Relinquishing his life as a military man, Mizushima retreats into a life of Buddhist prayer, dedicating himself to healing a wounded country. Filmed in black and white, strong visual contrasts heighten the divide between peace, war, life, and death in this highly symbolic film. Scenes in which the Japanese soldiers urge opposing forces to sing with them portray military men regardless of alliance as emotionally sensitive. Showing the humanistic aspects of war, such as the male bonding that occurs between soldiers, doesn’t justify war as much as deepens its tragedy. This release includes interviews with the director and with Mikuni, further contextualizing its place in Japanese cinema. The Burmese Harp, with its lessons in compassion and selflessness, is so transformative that viewing it feels somewhat akin to a religious experience. —Trinie Dalton
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| Year Released |
1956
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| Running Time |
116 minutes
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Reviews
Please login to review this resourceReview by Lee Ann Conover
This is a hauntingly beautiful, touching movie. The viewer will alternate between gasping at the beauty of the music and scenery and gasping in horror at the graphic shots of soldier's bodies littering the film.
The movie, first released in 1956, is set in Burma as an Imperial Japanese Army regiment surrenders to British forces at the end of World War II. It follows a Japanese private thought to have been killed, as he masquerades as a Buddhist Monk and stays behind in Burma to bury the war dead.
As a Music teacher, I was drawn to the beautiful music used throughout the film, as well as the theme of the power of music to heal and bring people together. The movie begins with an actor saying, "Why don't we sing?". The Japanese troops then break into beautiful classical singing. The quality of singing coming from this group of regular soldiers is explained by telling the viewer their Captain was a music school graduate. The English folk song "Home Sweet Home" and a Japanese version of it "Hanyu no yado" play a pivotal role in this film. Soldiers from both sides sing their own version of the song before the Japanese surrender.
Music and classroom teachers of Middle and High School students will find many wonderful examples of western classical singing, traditional Folk harp music, and traditional Japanese music in the background of some scenes. Comparing the two folk songs would also be a valuable lesson. However, select the scenes you plan to use in class carefully. There are many graphic shots of war carnage which will be difficult for students to view.
In the booklet that accompanies the DVD, the "big idea" for the film is stated. Music teachers, if you ever need to justify your art--use this!
"Music is a salve for the soul: its uses in combat (to send coded signals and to keep up morale) are trumped by its inherent beauty, its capacity to build bridges between opponents, and the way it can express feelings that cannot be stated in words."
Lee Ann Conover
Falk Laboratory School
Music K-8
