Atarashiki Tsuchi (The New Earth) (1937)

• 50% of users liked it
  (54 ratings)

Dr. Arnold Fanck, creator of that peculiarly Germanic movie genre known as the "mountain film," headed to Japan in 1937 to co-direct the German-Japanese co-production New Earth (aka Die Tochter des Samurai). Befitting Fanck's specialty, the opening reels are full of lovingly detailed shots of… More Dr. Arnold Fanck, creator of that peculiarly Germanic movie genre known as the "mountain film," headed to Japan in 1937 to co-direct the German-Japanese co-production New Earth (aka Die Tochter des Samurai). Befitting Fanck's specialty, the opening reels are full of lovingly detailed shots of Japan's snowcapped mountain peaks. The plot proper gets under way when Isamu Kosugi, a Japanese who has lived for several years in Europe, returns to the land of his birth. Having turned his back on his heritage and its traditions, Kosugi intends to marry a white woman, journalist Ruth Eveler. But his father, played with forceful dignity by Sessue Hayakawa, intends for Kosugi to wed Setsuko Hara, a girl of his family's choosing. Will Kosugi re-embrace the ways of his ancestors, or will he break his father's heart by returning to Europe with Eveler on his arm? Gorgeously photographed by Dr. Fanck's longtime associate Richard Angst, The New Earth is visual feast -- but only when seen in a good, clear print. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi