During WWII, Hollywood produced a ton of propaganda films that showed the US military in the best possible light. By and large, the films were built around themes involving individual heroism. In contrast, the Japanese propaganda film "Army" is all about the unimportance of the individual and the importance of undying obedience.
The film is quite obvious in the lessons it's trying to instill in the audience--more obvious than the American version. In fact, this film even lists, several times, the important lessons all soldiers must know. All this is wrapped around a multi-generational story that follows a family from the tumult of the Meiji era through the wars of the late 19th and early 20th century and ultimately to WWII. It also clearly explains the reasons for these wars from the Japanese perspective...but it manages to do it very well and with many wonderful vignettes of this family.
All in all, a very high quality film that is worth seeing so you can gain insight into the psyche of Japan circa 1944. Well made, if obvious.
