Kamikaze: An Untold History

Kamikaze: An Untold History

2025 · 90 min · ★ 10.0 · Documentary, War

On the Pacific front, towards the end of World War II, Japan's imperial armed forces launched 'kamikaze' attacks - suicide missions by aircraft laden with bombs. It was a mad operation with no hope of returning alive, but the nation went wild, and the attacks continued for ten months, literally until the very last day of the war. Close to 4,000 Japanese airmen died, and nearly 7,000 Allied military personnel were killed, and thousands more were injured by the attacks. How could this happen? Utilising 15 years' worth of extensive interviews with US and Japanese World War II veterans, Takayuki Oshima’s film delves into the mechanism of how a crazed madness swept through an entire nation.

Directed by Takayuki Oshima

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 45m together

Kamikaze: An Untold History

Night Will Fall

A close match in mood and era.

More from Takayuki OshimaSee all →

More Like This

Invisible AgentInvisible Agent · 1942
Invisible Agent
★ 5.81942
MovieHorrorScience Fiction
The Invisible Man's grandson uses his secret formula to spy on Nazi Germany.
The Secret of Santa VittoriaThe Secret of Santa Vittoria · 1970
The Secret of Santa Vittoria
★ 6.91970
MovieComedyDrama
During World War II, Italian villagers hide their wine from the German army.
Night Will FallNight Will Fall · 2014
Night Will Fall
★ 7.62014
MovieDocumentary
When Allied forces liberated the Nazi concentration camps in 1944-45, their terrible discoveries were recorded by army and newsreel cameramen, revealing for the first time the full horror of what had happened. Making use of British, Soviet and American footage, the Ministry of Information’s Sidney Bernstein (later founder of Granada Television) aimed to create a documentary that would provide lasting, undeniable evidence of the Nazis’ unspeakable crimes. He commissioned a wealth of British talent, including editor Stewart McAllister, writer and future cabinet minister Richard Crossman – and, as treatment advisor, his friend Alfred Hitchcock. Yet, despite initial support from the British and US Governments, the film was shelved, and only now, 70 years on, has it been restored and completed by Imperial War Museums under its original title "German Concentration Camps Factual Survey".
KanalKanal · 1957
Kanal
★ 7.61957
MovieWarDrama
In the last few days of the Warsaw Uprising during World War II, a modest group of Resistance members remains. The band must take refuge in the sewers under the orders of leader Zadra, but it's only a matter of time before they will have to emerge. However, when they try, they are met only with intense hostility from the Nazis. Despite their attempts stay resolute through immense mental strain, it becomes increasingly apparent that they may be doomed.
The Unknown SoldierThe Unknown Soldier · 1955
The Unknown Soldier
★ 7.21955
MovieDramaWar
It is the summer of 1941. An eastern-Finnish machine gun company receives an order to turn in their surplus equipment. The company is transferred to the front lines. The next morning the soldiers wake to the sound of guns – the war has begun.
Hail the Conquering HeroHail the Conquering Hero · 1944
Hail the Conquering Hero
★ 7.11944
MovieComedyWar
Having been discharged from the Marines for a hayfever condition before ever seeing action, Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith delays the return to his hometown, feeling that he is a failure. While in a moment of melancholy, he meets up with a group of Marines who befriend him and encourage him to return home to his mother by fabricating a story that he was wounded in battle with honorable discharge.
The Desert RatsThe Desert Rats · 1953
The Desert Rats
★ 6.31953
MovieWarAction
In North Africa, German Field Marshal Rommel and his troops have successfully fended off British forces, and now intend to take Tobruk, an important port city. A ramshackle group of Australian reinforcements sent to combat the Germans is put under the command of British Captain MacRoberts. The unruly Aussies immediately clash with MacRoberts, a gruff, strict disciplinarian, however this unorthodox team must band together to protect Tobruk from the German forces.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter