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Elephant from "Zoo Story" poster

Film

Elephant from "Zoo Story"

1957 · 1h 7m · Drama

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Overview

The fifth film in the Toho Diamond series, following "The Hateful Thing." Based on the true story of "Zoo Story" by author Fukuda Saburo. During the Tokyo air raids of World War II, Zen-san, an elephant keeper at Ueno Zoo, is faced with the heartbreaking task of euthanizing Tonki, a beloved elephant, due to food shortages and wartime pressures. Unable to carry out the order, Zen-san secretly feeds Tonki, but the elephant is ultimately shot by the military police. The film poignantly captures Zen-san’s despair and the devastation of war, as he reflects on his powerlessness amid the chaos.

Cast

Kenichi Enomoto

Kenichi Enomoto

Zen-san (Elephant Officer)

Keiju Kobayashi

Keiju Kobayashi

Head of Animal Care Division, Higashi

Momoko Kôchi

Momoko Kôchi

Yoshiko (Student mobilization)

Kyōko Anzai

Kyōko Anzai

Miyazawa Sensei

Yoshio Kosugi

Yoshio Kosugi

Sugiura (Gatekeeper)

Sachio Sakai

Sachio Sakai

Tamura (Lion Officer)

Sōji Ubukata

Director of Toda Zoo

Noriko Honma

Noriko Honma

Tetsu (Zen's wife)

Okayu Taka

Takahashi (Leopard)

Akira Sera

Ito (Small Bird)

Mitsuo Tsuda

Inoue (Camel handler)

Tadao Nakamaru

Tadao Nakamaru

Narita (Sergeant)

Keiko Môri

Hisako (Student mobilization)

Keiji Sakakida

Keiji Sakakida

Postman

Akio Kusama

Akio Kusama

Ueno Police Chief

Hiroshi Akitsu

Old skilled worker

Crew

Details

Release date
April 9, 1957
Status
Released
Original language
Japanese
Runtime
1h 7m
Genres
Drama

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