Elephant from "Zoo Story"

Name: Elephant from "Zoo Story"
Director: Kajirō Yamamoto
Genre: Drama
Released: 1957-04-09
Duration: 67 min
Cast: Kenichi Enomoto, Keiju Kobayashi, Momoko Kôchi, Kyōko Anzai, Yoshio Kosugi

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1957 · 67 min · Drama

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.

Directed by Kajirō Yamamoto

Cast

Kenichi Enomoto — Zen-san (Elephant Officer)
Keiju Kobayashi — Head of Animal Care Division, Higashi
Momoko Kôchi — Yoshiko (Student mobilization)
Kyōko Anzai — Miyazawa Sensei
Yoshio Kosugi — Sugiura (Gatekeeper)