Tokyo Trial (1983)

Tokyo Trial (1983) delves into a pivotal moment in modern Japanese history, meticulously chronicling the trial of Japanese militarists accused of war crimes. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi, the documentary navigates through an extensive archive of 30,000 reels from the International Military Tribunal, which spanned from May 1946 to November 1948. The trial's complexity is evident from the outset, with charges against 100 alleged war criminals read over two days, and the final judgment taking a full week to deliver. The documentary begins with a historical overview of Japanese-Asian relations leading up to World War II, setting the context for the trial. It also includes a reflective note on the trial's Western, Caucasian judges and the racial biases that may have influenced the proceedings. Throughout the trial, the film captures a range of emotions from participants, including outbursts of anger, profound boredom, and every shade in between. The documentary also highlights subsequent global events, such as the invasions of Czechoslovakia and Hungary, the Vietnam War, and the nuclear arms race, which have occurred since the trial.