Original subtitles

I LIVE IN FEAR

Produced by Seijiro Motoki

Scenario by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni and Shinobo Hashimoto

Photography by Asakazu Nakai

Music by Fumio Hayasaka

Leading players

Toshiro Mifune

Takashi Shimura, Minoru Chiaki, Masao Shimizu, Eiko Miyoshi

Kyoko Aoyama, Haruko Togo

Yutaka Sata, Kamatari Fujiwara

Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Dcctcr Harada. Dental Surgecn

Phone, Father

It's the court

The court? What's up?

The Association proposed Father as a court adviser

He mediates in divorce suits and suchlike

Difficult work

He grumbles about it, but he's taken up with it

The court sits at one; another afternoon lost

I shouldn't have taken it on

Tckyc Family Ccurt. Department cf Dcmestic Relaticns

Judge Araki

But my daughter's been supported by him

It's not for us ourselves, but think of the baby

Please wait here

Can't I go in? I'm just as much his son as you are

You've no right to speak to us in that tone

You're only my Father's son-in-law

She's illegitimate...

...but she's his flesh and blood

I don't see why you're so bothered about this case

We'll have to discuss it with you...

...but now it's more important to pacify Father

We'll have to coax him to start talking

Please wait here

You heard me

Whoever you are, we're not trying to ignore you

Anyway, he's so agitated

I'm a court mediator

I don't understand

Why butt into family affairs?

I'm so sorry. Father is always like this

Say something, Ichiro. This is too much

Father, you see...

We agreed amongst ourselves...

...and we asked them to

As long as there was an official application...

I won't recognize it

Legally, this application is fully...

Father, don't you accept that we are all adults?

Your Honour

Do they look adults? All they're worried about is my money

Blind fools!

Of course, we appreciate your sentiments

Your worries are those of all Japanese people

Of course, except that you're a bit...

Say I'm insane! Why can't you listen to me?

Mother, please

Don't make a scene

Let's go home, and let's...

Out of the question

We've come here just to disgrace ourselves

Ichiro, do something, it's terrible. You're the first-born

This is awful

That's all right. This is our job

A Family Court exists...

...for you to bring your troubles to it

We're happy to mediate in all difficulties

Not only such family disputes

Life is full of disputes; brawls will not solve them

So it's best to involve the help of a third party

Things will get better if you make a clean breast of them

Our job is to be advisers

We'll hear both sides, and help you to reach a decision

Now, what do you say?

Won't you talk it out with us as your friendly advisers?

Miss Tamiya, let's begin

Please wait in the corridor

Father

We've got a big problem this time

So it seems. This is your colleague, Lawyer Hori

Doctor Harada

Let's study the case notes. I'll read them, to save time

Let's skip the name and address of the applicant

This is how it goes

I request that Kiichi Nakajima...

That man

... be certified ncn ccmpcs mentis...

... cn the grcunds...

... that the applicant, the wife cf said Kiichi Nakajima...

... fcund that since last June...

... he became extremely fearful...

... cf atcmic and hydrcgen bcmbs and subsequent radicactivity...

... cf atcmic and hydrcgen bcmbs and subsequent radicactivity...

... and seeking tc avcid such radicactivity frcm the scuth...

... despite his family's cppcsiticn...

... did purchase prcperty in Akita Prefecture...

... and ccnstructed an unusual undergrcund dwelling...

... until scme mcnths later he read a newspaper article...

... that radicactiviy came frcm the ncrth...

... and he stcpped the ccnstructicn

The family suffered because cf this

A meaningless Icss cf seven millicn yen

But this eccentric ccnduct has nct abated

He says the cnly safe place cn earth...

... is Scuth America...

... and he planned single-mindedly tc emigrate all his dependents

... declaring that he will invest all he has tc this purpcse

Unless he is declared tc be ncn ccmpcs mentis...

... and placed under a guardian...

... his life and the lives cf all members cf his family...

... will be ruined hencefcrth

Therefcre the ccurt is requested tc intervene

Don't lose sight of the fact that if he's judged to be irresponsible...

...what will happen to us?

The master won't be able to use his own money

His wife will be appointed guardian

Then you and my daughter...

Don't worry about Asako, she'll take care of herself

Will the applicant come in, please?

Mother

Please spare me this. You go

Don't forget that you are the applicant. Bear up

Hurry, don't waste time

Mrs Toyo Nakijama?

First son Ichiro

Second son Jiro

Daughter Yoshi

Her husband

Only applicants

I do understand

Listen, son

What do you think of atomic and hydrogen bombs?

What's up?

Never mind, what do you think of them? Are you afraid?

Of course I am

Really afraid?

Why not? Everyone's afraid of them

So how can you be so calm?

Because there's no way of escaping them

Sumiko, let's eat now

Suppose someone is utterly worried about them?

Then he would have a nervous breakdown

You're wrong

He was utterly normal

What is it? Today's case?

What was it?

I just can't understand him

Nakajima Fcundry

Seven tons

Koto's Number Two? Not up to our Number A1, is it

I reckon its ash content is high

He wants to be paid quickly, no matter how

17,500 yen a ton

The freight cost has been increased

- Lower ash content? - As certified

I don't believe it. Don't pay so much per ton

We'll pay cash tomorrow

Ichiro, be careful of fire, I've told you often enough

- He's very foxy - What are you saying, Sue?

But Ichiro's a softie; he needs a guardian, not Father

Don't be cheeky, kid

So you grown-ups went to court, and what happened?

"Calm down and come again"

You still want to fight, after all that?

Who is he?

- He's... - I know Okamoto only

You know that other man, Ichiro?

Mrs Nakajima, I admire your decision, it takes a lot of courage

I was shocked...

...when I learned of your husband's plan

I tried to stop him, but I couldn't, of course

I was convinced, I really admire his decision

But there are so many options

Some people want to leave, some want to return here

That man's an old friend, running a big farm over there

Out of the way

Isn't he clever? It's as good as visiting there

I've seen the film and I like it very much

Look carefully, that's your house

It's good

Yes? Who is it?

Come in

Father? So early in the morning?

What's happened? Have you lost the case?

Don't worry needlessly

This month's allowance

But if they judge you to be irresponsible, I won't get this

That case will fail

You should have seen it

The fact is...

...last night we saw a film of the farm I'm going to buy

A wonderful place

I was fully convinced

Anybody would be, too

Since then, no complaints

It's all settled

Come to Brazil with us, bring your mother's ashes

Father...

...never mind me

I don't belong in your family

I'd hate to burden you by going all that way

If you would give me a lump sum...

...I'll remain here, so...

Shut up! You're...

Forget it

Leave it to me

Father

Sao Paulo?

Taeko, you must know the place

It isn't far from a town named Sao Paulo

I felt refreshed, just watching the film

I appreciate your kind offer to take us with you

But...

Sure, we mustn't accept it

Fools! Why are you so...

Never mind, leave it all to me

I'm afraid we'll have to increase our stock; we'll need extra money

Nonsense. We're moving to Brazil. Stock nothing

I hate that idea of Brazil

Sao Paulo! It's no joke

I can't understand

Why can't you be at ease?

And your father, why does he worry so much?

Take no notice of my wife, just come there with me

All right, just rely on me

Why laugh?

Do you think father was joking? He doesn't want to go

And you?

Well, let's see...

You don't want to go

Wasn't the next hearing listed for the 23rd?

Brought forward?

Yes. You see it's on account of that man

He's ignored our advice and he is proceeding with his scheme

They tell me they just can't leave him alone

Yes, Mr. Hori agrees on the date

Thank you very much

Express letters for you

Mrs Tcyc Nakajima

Family Ccurt. Department cf Dcmestic Relaticns

Mr. Kiichi Nakajima

Attention! There will soon be another thunderstorm

Welcome home

My father's scheme is simply a castle in the air

He wants to buy a farm there

But he has no dollars at all

Emigration is being encouraged if it is constructive

But he's running away from Japan because he's afraid

Will he get any dollars? No

I went to the Finance Ministry and verified it

In short...

...this plan is bound to end up like his underground house

Fool!

Even if I have no dollars I can buy this farm in Brazil

How, for instance?

If there's a farm-owner who wants to return to Japan...

...we can arrange a swap, can't we?

But that will be illegal

I don't think it is illegal

I'd say it's a very clever method

- Have you found such a farm-owner? - Yes

Say...

After you

Look here

Your father is worried about you, too. Can't you go along with him now?

You see, I'm beginning to think...

...that going to Brazil won't be a bad idea

I hear that many people want to go to Brazil now...

...more than the ships can carry

I beg to disagree with it

It overrides our way of life. Think of us

We're getting along fine. Why must we...

You see, we were born and reared beside the foundry

Exactly. We can't imagine a life outside it

Shut up! It was me who built that foundry, with my sweat

It's me who will miss it most of all

I know. I understand

And yet, despite that, you've planned this for our sakes

I appreciate it

Unwanted kindness, all the same

My husband is a teacher of French

I'm not a farmer, either

Fool! Don't you know that it's life that is the most precious?

Life is precious, of course, but people must die sooner or later

Why are you so worried?

People must die, but I hate to be killed

Let me ask you one thing

Do we alone go to Brazil?

We should have no secrets

Doctor, remember the people who argued with me last time?

They are...

...to confess the shameful truth... my father's...

You see, I have five others besides them to support

Two mistresses, their two children...

...and a son by a mistress now dead; I intend to take them all with me

You heard him. Just imagine!

We may bear it, but think of Mother

Please, be brave, speak up. Don't be so humble

Now you must know he's terrible

He's irrational and selfish

We've had enough of being victimized by him

Father, if you must, go to Brazil by yourself

With those people, if you wish; don't count on us

You undutiful brute!

- Is the master in? - Father? He's at the Court

- I thought the case had been dropped - It's the decisive day

Where has Father gone?

Maybe he's gone home

If he has, we'll win

I'm afraid we cannot but accept their application

Doctor Harada?

Very well

One moment

Only... I...

A prodigal is irresponsible

But a prodigal wastes money on drink, women and gambling

But precaution against bombs...

In theory, you're right

But in this case his action is so lacking in common sense

Although tests show that he is quite sane, he's gone too far

That's the point. He's gone too far

But aren't we ourselves worried about the bombs?

Of course we are, as is Miss Tamiya

Only we aren't as perturbed as that man

We don't build underground shelters, or plan to move to Brazil

However, we can't exactly disregard his feeling, can we?

It's a feeling shared by all Japanese, more or less

I can't justify deciding this lightly just because he's gone too far

I'm trying to handle it as a practical matter

That old man feels as he does...

...but his family doesn't feel like going to Brazil with him

We can't make them go; it's against human rights

What if we leave the situation as it is?

That man is bound to sell his foundry

His family will lose their livelihood, and starve

Yes, our investigations indicate that

In order to prevent it, we have to declare him irresponsible

However, why have we taken so much time over this...

...if it's so simple?

At any rate, the very sight of him goes to our hearts

I believe it comes from the essential fear...

...of H-bombs...

...which neither we nor his family can grasp

Why does he feel it so acutely? What induced it?

Let us investigate it carefully

Fear?

I have no fear

Then why hurry to Brazil?

Atomic and hydrogen bombs can be avoided

We mustn't be killed by them, so I'm in a great hurry

Cowards tremble and close their eyes

Like my children

Cowards, eh?

I'm very much afraid that we are, too

Now what shall we do?

What shall we do?

Doctor Harada, can't you see it this way?

It's obvious that he's rash

He's fighting a matter that's too big for an individual

He's bound to end up deadlocked

If the law restricts his freedom before it's too late...

...it will be a mercy for him, too

Will you all come in?

Father, it's eleven o'clock

What are you reading?

Ash cf Death

Are you all right? Don't say you want to go to Brazil

Read it

If the birds and animals read it, they'll flee from Japan

Listen, Susumu...

...I can't put it out of my mind

That case again?

Don't worry, that old man won't stay beaten

He lodged an appeal immediately; a higher court will decide

Very good. You are no longer responsible

It's wonderful. I've longed for such a view for ages

It looks nearer in winter

I'd like to raise cows here. I'm a farmer

I can't run a foundry

Will you buy this land for me, please?

I wonder what the area is

It's about ten hectares, I suppose

The area is about twenty chobu

What's the price?

8,200,000 yen

Pretty expensive, eh?

In Brazil, we can buy 4,000 hectares for that sum

And the deposit?

I must have it soon

Someone else is after it, you know

How much?

A million and a half

Are you sure it's proper to do that?

I can't help it; we must stop Father

You, too, once you find the combination

Ichiro, any news?

It's serious

A glass of water

We were too slow. They didn't know about Father

They paid him the money

How much altogether?

How much?

Here are the details

1,220,000 yen altogether

A lot of money

Good old Father. In only two days

Let me have the deposit book I gave to your mother

I need money in a hurry. Lend it to me

Don't worry, I just...

I know

However, I don't think you'll win so easily, even at a higher court

Fool! I'll win

You think so?

You refuse?

That's my only asset in the world

The deeds to this place?

I need some 300,000 yen now

I'll return it to you in no time

No, I can't

Now when will you acknowledge our Taeko?

You refuse. And take this place. It's too cruel

I'll acknowledge her

We'll talk about the deeds after you acknowledge her

What? Spent it?

I'm sorry

What's happened?

I sent him to cash a promissory note for 200,000 yen

It's like trusting a cat with milk

But I was in a hurry

Cough it up

- What do you mean? - The money, of course

- But I spent it - Not all of it

You can't spend so much so quickly. You wouldn't dare, anyway

- But I did - I don't believe you

Is that all? You must have given some to that woman

I'll find out soon enough

It was so hard to hide this from you

I've saved it out of my allowances. It's not much, though

It wasn't enough, anyway. Forget it

What's the matter? Take it

It's no use taking an insufficient amount

Why don't you take all you have and apologize to that man?

I would

You really are a good man, so frank and honest

I admire your attitude. Very well, I'll wait

But...

...I can't stay in Tokyo for ever; I planned to leave in a few days

Don't worry, this is a gentleman's agreement

When your affairs are settled, visit me as my guest

Take this money with you meanwhile

As a matter of fact, I once had a similar experience

I opposed my father's plan to go to Brazil

Then a fire broke out, our house was burnt down

So I was forced to make up my mind

Such is life

I understand your sons' concern

Return this money to them for the time being

Discuss it with them amicably

After all, you are father and sons

Thank you

One moment

Let's let Father spend it as he likes

This will settle the case once and for all

Don't you see? Father will lose the case with this

It's no use, don't blame us, it's all your fault

You see, I obtained a Court Order...

...forbidding disposal of our assets

Until the case is decided, we can't spend a yen

Yet you did this, a quite illegal action

Your objection will be overruled

But Father brought back the money

Don't accept it

What a way to travel

In four days he'll be back in Brazil

Isn't he a wonderful man?

I'm so glad for you

Excuse me

Aren't you Mr. Nakajima?

Remember me? I'm Harada

Harada of the Family Court

What do you want?

Well, nothing in particular, but...

Excuse me

I must tell you one thing, you who gave me that decision

I told you I wasn't in fear of H-bombs

Look at me now, it's obvious

Now I am full of fear

You have made me like this

Thanks to you, I'm at a dead end

It's terrible. I tremble with fear of the H-bomb

I'm helpless

The more I think of it, the more I quake with fear

But I can do nothing. This is a living hell

However, was it possible to come to a different decision?

I, too, have thought of that man since then

But I concluded that was all we could do

Even though I may have considered his interests as a friend...

...instead of as a judge...

...there was no way to save his soul

His misfortune is nobody's fault...

...except the very existence of the H-bombs...

...and his very unusual disposition, I may add

Secondly, his mind has no limitation

He's born to take everything too far

Master

Isn't the weather weird?

The newspapers say this is because of the H-bomb test

You know more than me, of course...

...but they say that the radioactivity...

...is bound to come to Japan...

...no matter where the explosion is

It's all because of the atmospheric current, so I hear

Japan is a sort of valley into which all radioactivity flows

Living things like us dwell here

What will become of us?

Our hair will fall out

Our bones will rot

That's not very nice, is it?

The other day I saw a magazine about the destruction in Hiroshima

It was really gruesome

I hope you saw it, too

- A baby about its size... - Stop it!

I'm awfully sorry, sir

I should have known you were very worried about it

But, master, don't worry too much

You can't do anything without money. Please don't be so stubborn

Make peace with your family and get as much as you can

Of course, you can afford to be penniless, you won't be put out

A retired gentleman, eh?

However, we can't afford to keep one ourselves

Gone to sleep? Thanks

What is it?

You haven't slept for days

Truth abcut the H-bcmb. A weapcn tc destrcy humanity

Making such a stupid thing!

Where are you going?

Home. Come with me at once

How can I? I haven't the nerve

Father. What is it? We're all here

Please, I beg of you

Go to Brazil, I beg of you

All of you, as one family

You say I'm deluded. Maybe I am

But H-bombs really exist

War can break out at any time

If it does, it will be too late; you can go nowhere then

We can still make it, let's flee while we can

I must spare him

I can't let an H-bomb get him

I gave up hope once

I thought I wouldn't care about you

If I could save this baby at least, that's what I thought

But all of you are my flesh and blood

I can't leave you here

Please come with me

Look, he's written from Brazil, he kindly writes to me

"Come at once. I'll arrange your citizenship"

Great news. Everything will be fine

Even a stranger is so kind to us

I beseech you: come with me to Brazil

Please, I beseech you, like this

Please go with him. Father is begging you

I'm begging you, too

Please go with him

You know, he's always been right

Father's always been a good planner, planning for all of you

Let's go. Ichiro

Jiro. Let's go

Yoshiko. Let's go

Say something. Why are you so silent?

Father, I'll go with you

He needs sleep. He's exhausted

The injection will put him to sleep

I hate to stay here any longer

It's no time to argue about his recognition

What if the master passes away? Our names must be put in his will

His will?

You had your settlement when you married

A trifle, because he was expanding the foundry then

Anyway, transfer of property can't be done without his will

You talk like a lawyer nowadays

His will?

What do you mean?

Those people insist

Aren't they terrible? They want him to die

Wait a minute

Maybe we'd better; a will settles everything

Jiro won't say such a thing. Right?

It's sleepy

It can sleep in my room

Father's asleep. No worries now

At the Court you said you would discuss things with us in the future

Perhaps I did say that. But not tonight

Of course, I hate to ask now

It's a horrible thing, but I can't help it

I understand. I might speak to him for you

But father's fast asleep

The doctor says he needs lots of sleep

It's out of the question to ask the sick about a will

I'm so sorry. You must think it's insolent of me to come here

Mother, look at the baby, just like Father

I'm fine. And you, Mother?

What are you talking about?

She isn't angry with you at all

She's only trying to maintain her dignity

Don't be silly

Look at this album

Your relatives?

Even Father isn't such a great philanderer

It's last year's works outing to the sea

Didn't we have a lovely time?

It was wonderful

Too wonderful, it was all too happy...

...that I was frightened that something sad would come

Yes, I was sure. And it did come

- Brazil? - I won't go, no matter what

I fear Mother and Sue will go with Father

With what money?

If Mother applies for its release

Then what will become of us?

We'll get something, too

But we'll stay here against his wishes, so we won't get much

What about the foundry?

Let's oppose its disposal

We'll stick to the foundry, don't forget that

We'll get it

Where is the Nakajima Foundry?

- It's a disaster - Such misfortune

Explain yourself

Can you think of any other cause?

You said you forgot to quench the coals

Foreman, remember how strict Father was about fire?

"Quench all fires"

Look at this

Master, forgive me, please

Don't worry, it was me. I started the fire

Don't shield others foolishly. The police will be here soon

I tell you, I started the fire

Don't be silly

Mother. Take him in

Jiro, you can't leave Japan because of this foundry

You can't go to Brazil. But if it's lost... So I...

Sue

Sue, tell me what happened

Make a clean breast of it. Why don't you say something?

Tell me what happened

Tell me exactly what happened

You were the first to discover the fire. What did you see?

Who came out of the flames? Tell us. Tell them

Don't cry

Everything will be all right

We've lost the foundry, but we have enough to live on in Brazil

Master, you mean...

...we can all go to the dogs?

Tell me

You don't care if we starve?

He's crazy

Master, can we go to the dogs?

My mistake. Forgive me

I'll find a way to take you all

I was wrong to think only of ourselves

We must all survive. Every one of us

I beg you, come with me to Brazil. Every one of us

What would you use for money?

Besides, the workers may not want to go to Brazil

You're often so selfish

Think of that old man, you were thankful to him

Yet you'd let him come here to die in your place. We can't go with you

I see. I'll try to get another farm

We can live if we work hard. We'll go to the Amazon

Don't you realize that no place on Earth is safe?

Four hundred H-bombs will destroy it. There are more than that now

Hold your stupid tongue

And parrot learning, too

Look at Father

He was serious. He worried about you all

But you're only being selfish

He set fire to his own house

For the insurance? An old story

But he's a queer fish

H-bombs, eh?

What a fool you are to worry about it; let the Prime Minister do that

If you're worried, why don't you move out of Earth?

Psychiatric Department

After all, perhaps it's best for Father

Doctor Harada

How are you? I'm sorry for what happened

You've come to see him?

You see, I have a guilty conscience

I feel that maybe the Court's decision was wrong

Please

It was all our fault

We shouldn't have taken him to court

We should have brought him here

It would have been better, for him, too

Thank you for coming here

Whenever I see this patient...

...I become melancholic

My first experience of it

All lunatics are melancholic

However...

...this patient makes me...

...melancholic

Maybe I'm not sane, although I believe I am

I'm often obliged to wonder:

"Is he a lunatic, or am I the lunatic?"

Come in

I'm Harada

I'm glad you came here

I'm so glad you came

You're completely safe here. Be assured

By the way, what happened to Earth?

Are many people left?

Still many there?

That's bad

I don't like that

They'd better escape soon, or they'll be sorry

Why don't they wake up? They must come here quickly

This planet is safe. They'd better hurry

Isn't it burning?

Earth is burning!

My God, it is burning!

It is burning!

Burning!

At last Earth has gone up in flames