Elephant from

Elephant from "Zoo Story" (1957)

1957-04-09 Japan 67 Min. PG-13
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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

榎本健一 is Zen-san (Elephant Officer)
Zen-san (Elephant Officer)
小林桂樹 is Head of Animal Care Division, Higashi
Head of Animal Care Division, Higashi
河内桃子 is Yoshiko (Student mobilization)
Yoshiko (Student mobilization)
安西郷子 is Miyazawa Sensei
Miyazawa Sensei
小杉義男 is Sugiura (Gatekeeper)
Sugiura (Gatekeeper)
堺左千夫 is Tamura (Lion Officer)
Tamura (Lion Officer)
生方壮児 is Director of Toda Zoo
Director of Toda Zoo
本間文子 is Tetsu (Zen's wife)
Tetsu (Zen's wife)
Okayu Taka is Takahashi (Leopard)
Takahashi (Leopard)
瀬良明 is Ito (Small Bird)
Ito (Small Bird)
津田光男 is Inoue (Camel handler)
Inoue (Camel handler)
中丸忠雄 is Narita (Sergeant)
Narita (Sergeant)