Movie Review "Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis" (1988) / 遂に観ました、『帝都物語』(English & Japanese)

(日本語は後半にあります)

【English】

About "Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis"

The film "Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis" (1988, Japan) is based on a novel by Hiroshi Aramata. It is a science fiction work depicting the battle between Yasunori Kato, a demon who plans to destroy the Imperial Capital (Tokyo), and the people who stand up against him.




Image Source:映画ナタリー

In fact, I watched the sequel, "Tokyo: The Last War" (1989), when I was in the sixth grade of elementary school. In my social studies history class, when we learned about Taira no Masakado, the teacher mentioned "Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis". I was so interested that my friends and I went to a video rental store to rent "Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis"... but we mistakenly rented the sequel, "Tokyo: The Last War".

I later learned that "Tokyo: The Last War" was extremely unpopular with fans of the original and the first film.... While the former is an epic science fiction drama, the latter is more of a psychic battle story with a horror edge. The latter is an endless depiction of how terrifying the demon Kato is, with many brutal and grotesque scenes, and even for an 11-year-old like me, it was an intense trauma.

For example, there was a soldier who was twisted to death like a rag in the air by Kato's spiritual power. There was also a second lieutenant who blew himself up when a grenade he was about to throw got stuck in his hand. There was also a girl whose neck and lower part became like an insect. There were so many shocking images like this that I could not sleep with the lights off in my room for a month after watching the film. I watched it with a childhood friend who lived next door, and I remember asking her to keep the lights on as late as possible during the night.


Directed by Akio Jissoji

Having seen such an overly shocking "sequel" first, I just could not bring myself to replay the first film, no matter how good I heard it was. The reason I finally got around to watching it more than 30 years after viewing the traumatic film "Tokyo: The Last War" was because I learned that the first film, "Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis" was directed by Akio Jissoji.

Akio Jissoji is a director whose unique camerawork and compositions are impressive, and he is the one who shot my favorite "Ultra Seven" episode 8, "The Targeted City" ( Alien Metron). His images do not look old at all even when viewed in 2024... I felt that I had to see this movie if it was directed by him!

Currently, "Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis" is available on Amazon Prime Video. And my impression...it was very good. It is definitely a very different movie from the sequel. The atmosphere throughout was more "mysterious" than "scary," and there were fewer grotesque expressions.


The story is somewhat confusing, but…

It is also good to see many of the great figures in Japanese history from the Meiji and Taisho eras, who are active in their respective fields of expertise, trying to protect and develop Tokyo. However, since this is a film adaptation of a novel, it still seems to feel like an "abridged" version from those who have read the original novel. I have not read the novel myself, but I certainly felt that something was left out. The many characters in the story are told from their own perspectives, and there are many scene changes, which may have made the story more difficult to understand. Without knowledge of Japanese history or Yin-Yang-Do, it is even more difficult to understand the story.




Image Source:映画.com

But even if there are parts of the content that are not well understood, the atmosphere, the images, and the power of the actor Kyusaku Shimada, who plays Kato, the demon, are enough to make this movie enjoyable.

Frankly speaking, the main characters, Yoichiro Tatsumiya and his sister Yukari, are not appealing at all, and I cannot feel any emotional attachment to them, but rather, I feel annoyed and uncomfortable watching them. In a sense, a movie in which the main characters are so unappealing is rare, or perhaps new.... However, Yoichiro's wife Keiko is strong, beautiful, and lovely, and she is so lovely that we don't care about Yoichiro or Yukari. I heard that it is called "ear coverings," a women's hairstyle in the Taisho era, and it is wonderful.


Unique worldview is attractive

Director Akio Jissoji's unique camerawork was also alive and well, allowing me to immerse myself in the Jissoji world. Although some of the costumes and battle scenes on the demon side seemed a bit cheesy (like old Jiangshi movies), the rest of the scenes, especially those in the streets of the Meiji and Taisho eras, were new and fashionable even when seen today. This is a film that should be seen for the purpose of enjoying the unique images and atmosphere.


https://img.inleo.io/DQmduszkhhSrgbPJDC16Sv82hqwFDGh6qDpgACSASHsBX4M/teito_20150807_15.webp

画像出典:映画ナタリー

An interesting feature was the appearance of the artificial human "Gakutensoku". In the movie, he is the first robot in the East to appear as a helper in the construction of the subway, but he was actually developed in Japan in 1928! The actual "Gakutensoku" and the movie's "Gakutensoku" look a little different, but they both share the same golden color and the fact that their faces represent the characteristics of each of the world's races.




画像出典:映画ナタリー

I almost cried a little during the scene in the film where "Gakutensoku" is attacked by the devil's minions and fights as if he had a will of his own. After watching the movie, I researched about "Gakutensoku" and found out that although it attracted the attention of audiences at various expositions, it was later sold and moved to Germany, where it was lost.

Throughout the entire film, you may be confused and wonder "what on earth am I being shown...," but it is interesting in that way as well, so please give it a watch.








【Japanese】

『帝都物語』とは

映画『帝都物語』(1988年)の原作は荒俣宏による小説で、帝都(東京)の破壊を目論む魔人・加藤保憲と、それを阻止しようと立ち向かう人々との戦いを描いたSF作品です。




画像出典:映画ナタリー

実は私、小6の頃に続編にあたる『帝都大戦』(1989年)を観ていました。社会科の歴史の授業で、平将門について学んだ時、先生が「そういえば『帝都物語』という映画があってね…」と、ちらりと触れたのがキッカケでした。興味を持った私は友達とレンタルビデオ店に行き、『帝都物語』を借りた… つもりが、どういうわけか借りたのは続編の『帝都大戦』の方だったのです。

後になって知ったのですが、『帝都大戦』は一応『帝都物語』の続編ということになってはいるものの、原作や一作目のファンからは極めて不評な作品でした…。

前者が壮大なSFドラマであるのに対して、後者はホラー寄りの霊能力バトルもの。魔人・加藤が如何に恐ろしいかを延々と描いたのが後者で、残虐なシーン、グロテスクな描写が多く、11歳の私にとっても強烈なトラウマとなりました。

加藤の霊力によって空中で雑巾のように捻られて死ぬ兵士、投げようとした手榴弾が手から離れなくなり自爆してしまう少尉、首以下が虫になった少女… などなど、ショッキングな映像が多すぎて、観賞後一ヶ月は部屋の電気を消して眠ることができませんでした。隣の家に住んでいた幼馴染と一緒に観たので、彼女にも夜中できるだけ遅くまで電気をつけておいてくれるように頼んだ記憶があります(超迷惑!)。


実相寺昭雄監督作品

そんなあまりに衝撃的な「続編」を先に観てしまったため、いくら一作目が良作だと聞いても、どうしても再生する気になれませんでした。トラウマ映画『帝都大戦』の鑑賞から30年以上が経ってようやく観る気になったのは、一作目の『帝都物語』が実相寺昭雄監督によるものだと知ったからです。

実相寺昭雄監督は独特なカメラワークや構図が印象的な監督で、私が大好きな『ウルトラセブン』の第8話、「狙われた街」(メトロン星人)を撮った人だ。その映像は令和の今観ても古さを感じない… 彼の監督作品なら、ぜひ観なければ!

現在、『帝都物語』はAmazonプライムビデオで観ることができます。で、感想ですが。とても良かったです。続編のホラーとは全く違う映画だと思って間違いありません。全体を通して「怖い」というよりは「不思議」な雰囲気で、グロテスクな表現も少なめでした。


ストーリーはやや難解かも

明治から大正時代に活躍した日本の歴史上の偉人たちが多数登場し、それぞれの専門分野で東京を守ろう、開発しようと暗躍するのもいい。ただ小説を映画化したものであるため、原作を読んだ人からするとやはり「短縮版」に感じられるようです。私自身は原作を読んでいませんが、確かに何かが省かれているような雰囲気は感じました。登場人物が多くそれぞれの目線から語られるスタイルのため、場面の切り替わりが多く、そのせいでストーリーが分かりづらくなっているのかもしれません。日本の歴史や陰陽道に関する知識がないと、余計に分かりません。




画像出典:映画.com

ただ内容によく分からない部分があったとしても、雰囲気と映像、そして魔人・加藤を演じる嶋田久作の迫力だけでも充分楽しめる映画です。

正直なところ、主役(?)の辰宮 洋一郎、妹の由佳理には全く魅力が感じられず、感情移入もできないどころか、観ていてイライラするほどの不快感を感じます。主役にここまで魅力がない映画というのも、ある意味珍しいというか、新しいというか…。ただ洋一郎の妻・恵子が強く、綺麗で素敵で、彼女があまりに素敵過ぎるため洋一郎や由佳理のことなどどうでもよくなってしまいます。大正時代の女性の髪型「耳隠し」というらしいですが、あれ素敵ですよね。


独特な世界観

実相寺昭雄監督の独特のカメラワークも生きていて、実相寺ワールドに浸ることができました。魔人側の衣装やバトルシーンはややチープに感じられるところはあったものの(昔のキョンシー映画のような)、それ以外、特に明治・大正時代の街中のシーンは今観ても新しいし、オシャレです。独特の映像と雰囲気を楽しむ目的でも、ぜひ観て欲しい映画です。


https://img.inleo.io/DQmduszkhhSrgbPJDC16Sv82hqwFDGh6qDpgACSASHsBX4M/teito_20150807_15.webp

画像出典:映画ナタリー

面白かったのが、人造人間「學天則」の登場です。映画の中では、地下鉄の建設のために助っ人として登場する東洋初のロボットなのですが、実際に1928年に日本で開発されたものとのこと!実際の「學天則」と映画の「學天則」では見た目が少し違いますが、どちらも金色で、顔は世界の人種の各特徴を表しているという点では共通しています。




画像出典:映画ナタリー

劇中で「學天則」が小鬼に襲われ、まるで自らの意思があるかのように闘っているシーンではちょっと泣きそうになりました。鑑賞後「學天則」について調べたところ、各地で開催される博覧会で観客の注目を集めたものの、後に売却されてドイツに渡った後、行方不明になってしまったそうです。

全体を通して「私は一体何を見せられているのだろう…」と混乱する映画ではありますが、そんなところも含めて面白いのでぜひ一度ご覧ください。

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This movie reminded me of Star Wars.

(like old Jiangshi movies)

Wow! You know Jiangshi as in Qing Dynasty Zombies 🤣
My mom loves "Oshin" series. The local broadcast kept replaying it every few years. She made me watch "Oshin" when I was a little girl. I thought women had such a tough life in Japan so I'm thankful to be born elsewhere though Japanese women in general are very beautiful and wise 😄

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Yes! I used to watch Jiangshi shows on TV when I was 4 or 5 years old, but sometimes I was so scared that I couldn't sleep. "They are Chinese zombies, so they won't come to Japan, will they?", I asked my mother, but she replied, "Airplanes have developed in this day and age, so you never know when they might blend in"😅
I was surprised to hear that "Oshin" was being aired overseas!

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LOL... Your mother has a great sense of humor!🤣
Yup, "Oshin" was not only aired once but several times.

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I need to watch more Japanese movies. I seem to have only seen the classic ones: most Kurosawa films, Ozu films like Tokyo Monogatari, etc.

By the way, next time you post movies, use the #cine tag or post directly using the https://www.cinetv.blog/ frontend. My dbooster.cine account is one of the top CINE holders—I'll be sure to vote you with it.

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The only Kurosawa film I have seen is "Dream" and it was very nice. Many Japanese movies are difficult to listen to the sound and I have to display subtitles to understand what they are saying...

Thanks for the recommendation! I will try posting from there next time😉

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wow. I'm not even born when this movie was released :P. Kyo did you ever watch koizora or Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu. Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu is my favorite japanese movie O.O. mao is so cute haha

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Wow, you know a lot about Japanese anime and movies! I have never watched it, but it seems to be available for rent on Amazon Prime Video.

That girl sure is cute.

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Excellent review.

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Thank you! If you get a chance, please take a look.

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I have added it to my list. Yesterday, I watched Dune 2.

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@go-kyo! Your Content Is Awesome so I just sent 1 $BBH (Bitcoin Backed Hive) to your account on behalf of @meraki7578. (1/20)

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@go-kyo! You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE to your account on behalf of @ meraki7578. (1/10)

The tip has been paid for by the We Are Alive Tribe through the earnings on @alive.chat, feel free to swing by our daily chat any time you want, plus you can win Hive Power (2x 50 HP) and Alive Power (2x 500 AP) delegations (4 weeks), and Ecency Points (4x 50 EP), in our chat every day.