Obstensibly it is a story about Hun, played by Setsuko Hara, who falls in love with a spy, in a time of great turmoil and protests to combat fascism. What makes it a 10 star film is that as it goes along it becomes much more absorbing, with the characters becoming deeper in their beliefs. Here it is: Setsuko Hara does an amazing job playing the young girl. This is her first great role and I was astounded by the depth of her performance. She plays sweet, young, very pretty, but over the course of the film, which spans approximately 11 years, she falls not on hard times, but wields a meditation on personal sacrifice. Having only seen her up to now in Ozu films, I thought she was one of the greatest. Now, I know she was. She plays this character with everything. She even credibly ages over the film. You have to give Mr. Kurosawa credit also, of course, but Ms. Hara's performance makes this an incredible film, which only gets better as it goes along. This film is now part of a box set, and very highly recommended. Any complaints, which I'll mention but are very minor, are sometimes the subtitles are wrong and the film is at times blurry when there is movement (I have this film on an earlier box set, maybe these problems have been rectified). Just know that this is an incredibly absorbing film starring the excellent Setsuko Hara and directed by the great Akira Kurosawa. That alone makes this worth the price of admission, and it delivers wonderfully.

This movie, so close on the heals of the end of World War II, is amazing in how it so candidly deals with the militarism that dominated Japan and completely destroyed all opposition or even dialog. In some ways, this movie was more candid than films on the era that were produced years later. This is no doubt the influence, in part, of the Occupational Government.

The acting, writing and direction were fine. It's a Kurasawa flick with no samurai and that's not a bad thing, as many of his best (though not famous) films were not samurai epics.

FYI--It's VERY intriguing that this film so closely followed Sanjuro Sugata part 2. In Sanjuro Sugata, interspersed within the film were some anti-American (or anti-Western) scenes that were used for propaganda purposes. Then, as soon as the war ends, this anti-war film is released by the same director. I understand Mr. Kurasawa was probably under intense pressure when he made the former movie, but it sure gets you thinking! In a way, he WAS part of that militaristic movement.

FYI (again)--Following WWII, the US military had control over Japan for about a decade. During this time, films about the evils of militarism in pre-war Japan were strongly encouraged and scripts required prior approval, this this might help to explain the context for making this film.

While not among Kurasawa's very best films, No Regrets For Our Youth is nonetheless very interesting and impressive. Marking his breakthrough as a film-maker, it is a great early effort from who I consider the king of Japanese cinema. Technically and visually, it cannot be faulted. The scenery is beautiful and epic still(though even more so in films like Seven Samurai, Kagemusha and Ran) and the camera work is sweeping and very accomplished in its technique. The script really helps to enhance the compelling and very moving story that is high on politics, romantic innocence and emotional impact, and the characters whether as students or 10 years older are convincing and emphatic throughout. Setsuku Hara is astonishing, spirited and innocent as well as managing to convey a lot of depth. Kurasawa's direction as ever is subtle while also giving credibility to the story and characters while showing a great sense of style. Overall, a great film, well worth seeing if not quite one of my favourites. 9/10 Bethany Cox