American newspaperman Nick Condon (James Cagney) who is based in Tokyo sets out to expose the imperial plans of a faction of the Japanese government prior to outbreak of WWII. The story is based on an historical incident, but the document in question is now believed by most to have been a forgery. The document supposedly outlined a plan to conquer China and eventually the United States.
Condon who has already been critical of the militarist faction in the Japanese government comes into possession of the Tanaka document but before he can expose its contents he needs to get out of Japan though the authorities are watching him very closely. A half Chinese woman (Sylvia Sidney) ostensibly assisting the authorities in their investigation serves as both an ally and a love interest for Condon. The Japanese characters for the most part are thinly sketched and include historical figures such as Giichi Tanaka and Hideki Tojo.
James Cagney is moderately successful in his role and Sylvia Sidney is adequate but neither they nor the capable supporting cast deliver any memorable performances. In addition the film had an Oscar winning director in Frank Lloyd and a score by Oscar winning composer Miklós Rózsa but they also fail to deliver anything noteworthy. Despite some solid components there is just not anything very compelling here.
The film license unfortunately lapsed and it seems most versions of this film available including the one I watched have been colorized from the original Black and White.
Obviously as with all films it is a product of its time; having been made in 1945 and in that context the film is not excessively racist though it is present and certainly does reflect a patriotic American point of view from that era. The common Japanese people are treated fairly well as are aspects of the culture, Condon uses Judo several times in the film.
Most of the primary Japanese characters in the film are played by Caucasian actors while some of the supporting cast is actually oriental.
Condon who has already been critical of the militarist faction in the Japanese government comes into possession of the Tanaka document but before he can expose its contents he needs to get out of Japan though the authorities are watching him very closely. A half Chinese woman (Sylvia Sidney) ostensibly assisting the authorities in their investigation serves as both an ally and a love interest for Condon. The Japanese characters for the most part are thinly sketched and include historical figures such as Giichi Tanaka and Hideki Tojo.
James Cagney is moderately successful in his role and Sylvia Sidney is adequate but neither they nor the capable supporting cast deliver any memorable performances. In addition the film had an Oscar winning director in Frank Lloyd and a score by Oscar winning composer Miklós Rózsa but they also fail to deliver anything noteworthy. Despite some solid components there is just not anything very compelling here.
The film license unfortunately lapsed and it seems most versions of this film available including the one I watched have been colorized from the original Black and White.
Obviously as with all films it is a product of its time; having been made in 1945 and in that context the film is not excessively racist though it is present and certainly does reflect a patriotic American point of view from that era. The common Japanese people are treated fairly well as are aspects of the culture, Condon uses Judo several times in the film.
Most of the primary Japanese characters in the film are played by Caucasian actors while some of the supporting cast is actually oriental.