Washi to taka

An entertaining crime thriller/melodrama from Writer Director Umetsugu Inoue, set aboard an old cargo ship sailing out from Osaka bound for Hong Kong. Certainly not a musical as some summaries suggest, however there are a few light toned moments of musical distraction. Opening the tale before the ship sails is a haunting whistle from a mysterious stalker, a back lane murder of one of the ships crew re-opens a secret hidden past. Suspected are two new crew members, young and headstrong they seem at odds with the close knit crewmates. As the ship pulls out of port two separate female stowaways are discovered , too late to turn back the journey is also bound for some melodramatic romantic intrigue. Sailing out to open waters the stylish director paints a vivid pictorial of nautical life with his fabulously expressive shipboard action and a wonderful portrayal of sea-scape imagery. Terrific performances from an outstanding cast enhance this exciting twisting tale, which has surprises in store as motives and the past begin to reveal . An excellent classic film from the inspired creative hand of Umetsugu Inoue Highly Recommended !!