Emperor | |
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Theatrical release poster
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Directed by | Peter Webber |
Produced by | Russ Krasnoff Gary Foster Yoko Narahashi Eugene Nomura |
Written by | Vera Blasi David Klass |
Based on |
His Majesty's Salvation by Shiro Okamoto |
Starring |
Tommy Lee Jones Matthew Fox Eriko Hatsune Toshiyuki Nishida Masatoshi Nakamura Kaori Momoi Colin Moy |
Music by | Alex Heffes |
Cinematography | Stuart Dryburgh |
Edited by | Chris Plummer |
Production
company |
Krasnoff Foster Productions
United Performers' Studio |
Distributed by |
Roadside Attractions Lionsgate (US) Shochiku Company (Japan) |
Release date
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Running time
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105 minutes |
Country | United States Japan |
Language | English Japanese |
Box office | $14,667,451 |
Emperor is a 2012 American-Japanese post-World War II film directed by Peter Webber, marking his first film in five years. Tommy Lee Jones and Matthew Fox star in lead roles as General Douglas MacArthur and Brigadier General Bonner Fellers respectively. It is a joint American and Japanese production.
Brigadier-General Bonner Fellers is sent to Japan as a part of the occupation force. He is tasked with arresting Japanese war criminals, including Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. Before he departs, he privately orders his Japanese interpreter, Takahashi, to locate his Japanese girlfriend, Aya Shimada. After arresting Tojo, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur informs Fellers Emperor Hirohito can be tried as a war criminal. Doing so could lead to a revolt, but the American people want the Emperor to stand trial for Japan's actions. MacArthur gives Fellers ten days to investigate the Emperor. When Takahashi informs Fellers that Aya's Tokyo apartment was bombed. Fellers orders him to investigate her hometown, Shizuoka.
Fellers and his staff compile a list of people who were with Emperor Hirohito when the war started. Because none of the Japanese who are friendly to the Americans are among them, they resort to enticing Tojo to give them information. During a visit to Sugamo Prison, Fellers demands Tojo give him three names. He, instead, gives one: Fumimaro Konoe, the former prime minister. Fellers goes to Konoe's home and asks him if the Emperor was responsible for starting the war. Konoe gives no conclusive evidence, but directs Fellers to Kōichi Kido, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. While Fellers waits to meet with Kido, he recalls the time before the war when Aya suddenly returned to Japan. Takahashi informs Fellers Kido will not show up.