Enjou
(Conflagration)
- Japan 1958, 99 min., B&W
Director:
Starring:
- ICHIKAWA Raizo
- NAKADAI Tatsuya
Notes:
- Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavilion), the most outstanding building of the temple "Kitayama Rokuonji", proclaimed as a national treasure and regarded
as one of the tourist attractions of Kyoto, was burnt
down by an apprentice priest in the year 1950. This is a
film version of the novel written by MISHIMA Yukio
(1925-1970) based on the fact. Long sessions of arguments
took place prior to the filming with Kinkakuji, whose
priesthood refused to have that name used, and hence the
name Shukaku was used.
- The leading figure, whose admiration of Shukaku borders
on the absurd is well played by ICHIKAWA Raizo who won
the Kinema Junpo and Blue Ribbon Award for the best
performance of an actor. The part of the depraved and
corrupt priest played by NAKAMURA Ganjiro won the
Mainichi Film Contest and Blue Ribbon Award for the best
performance of a supportive actor.