The Americans are swiftly closing on Okinawa, an island just south of the Japanese mainland. The Imperial command sends top generals and several army divisions to defend it at all costs. The mission quickly degenerates as vital resources and troops are diverted to other islands. After a civilian evacuation ends in tragedy most of non-combatants are forced to remain on the island. Many convert to soldier status. Tokyo sends mixed messages that squander time and resources, as when they order the defenders to build an airstrip for aircraft that never come. The truth soon becomes obvious: the high command decides that the island cannot be held and effectively abandons the Okinawan defenders. When the Americans land many troops are deployed in the wrong places. As the slaughter mounts, a suicidal attitude takes hold. Okinawa becomes a death trap, for civilian volunteers and non-combatants as well.
小林桂樹
as General Ushijima
加山雄三
as
丹波哲郎
as Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
仲代達矢
as Colonel Hiromichi Yahara
大空眞弓
as
佐原健二
as
佐々木勝彦
as Communications Officer Miyake
天本英世
as Okinawa Regional Officer
池部良
as Rear Admiral Ota
中谷一郎
as Chief of Staff Ueno
睦五朗
as
藤原釜足
as
