Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes

This film is commendable for those who are barely literate about some of the Japanese-American tensions and attractions that make the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombing such a controversial matter more than 60 years later with no end in sight. For such young people the "English-friendly" aspects of this production will be appealing; the special effects and "gross-out" scenes are far enough from original documentary footage and the eyewitness narratives that most sensitive viewers should not have to turn away when victims and injured citizens are in view. The use of "name" actors helps to make some of the August 6 events seem accessible while avoiding the history-by-leaders/ Presidents/ aggressive warriors "trap." A U.S. serviceman's death (character played by Judd Nelson) is somewhat melodramatic but again illustrates some worthy points (the two cultures involved in a "struggle to the death" war while still sharing common values on high technology and fascination with "wins/losses"). I haven't heard if a project like this is slated for the 60th anniversary (2005) of the War-ending bombing but it wouldn't surprise me. My rating 10 *'s for those older than 12 who can sit and discuss this with adults (grandparents who lived at or around that era); and positive value for young and middle-aged adults.

Obviously being years later its made an impact. Its an important lesson on what America has done during "wartime." I do feel that wartime in America is an excuse to do so many atrocities.... Much like Nazi Germany.... Only thing that separates us is we won.

I thought this movie was completely missconceived. First of all, the Japanaes residents of Hiroshima speaking english makes no sense... Then the American POWs running around town after the explosion... Please, give me a break! The characters in general where all very shallow, we never get to feel anything for anybody. Some characters are downright ridiculous, like the catholic priest played by Max von Sydow and his (comical) assistants. Scenes featuring the latter are almost farsical. All in all, this motion picture comes together as a garbled mess, one that is boring and emotionless (for a film on such a topic, hard to believe). And the ending.... No comment.

This is a partially historically accurate account of the Hiroshima bombing. The only flaw was it was a bit slanted against America, making the bombing out to be a war crime, and yet under the circumstances it was certainly less so than, for example, the rape of Nanking.

Had America not dropped the bombs and instead invaded Japan, many more people would have died, probably over 500,000 including at least 100,000 Americans.

The direction was a bit sloppy by times with too many repetitive scenes. There could have been some better character development, or if there was not enough time leave out one of the sub-plots and pay more attention to the others.

Overall it was a fairly good history lesson, with some talented actors such as Max von Sydow and Tamlyn Tomita.

An absolutely boring, badly acted and filmed mess of a movie. Max Von Sydow gives what must be the worst performance of his entire career. Totally without any redeeming features I found this film to be unwatchable. Apart from Von Sydow the remaining cast are a mixture of second rate American and Asian actors who seem to me competing to give the worst possible performance in this piece of rubbish. Avoid at all costs!.