Search - Hiroshima on DVD

As powerful as any movie or documentary ever created

Jason | Backwater, Alabama | 02/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hiroshima is part documentary and part film, blended seamlessly to create one of the most amazing pieces in cinema history. This is not even debatable.

Aside from the historical significance, and the countless lessons learned from WWII and the A-bobm, this movie takes a personal approach not usually seen or discussed. There are realistic accounts of the time and difficulties during the war, as well as actual interviews from not only American soldiers, but also survivors from Hiroshima. Argue or debate the usage of either bomb, but the tales of those involved lend an awe-inspiring insight that demands attention and respect. One particular tale of an American soldier who had been hit by an explosion of some sort was very powerful. He held his own guts in his hands, and eventually was carried away on a stretcher. Moments later, when another weary soldier was searching for a place to rest, and the wounded soldier's guts were in lying beside him, the interviewee told of someone literally sitting on his stomach. The man's innards were outside of his body, being sit upon, and he merely told the other soldier to move them aside if rest was needed.

Perhaps what impressed me most about the movie is the production value. The grainy footage from decades ago merges with actual movie footage so well that at times, the difference between the two is indiscernable. It's very easy to become immersed in the story, and forget that some participants are actors.

I can't recommend this movie highly enough."