The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1959, The Human Condition I: No Greater Love is a drama, war and history film directed by Masaki Kobayashi, running about 206 minutes. “The Immortal Story.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. After handing in a report on the treatment of Chinese colonial labor, Kaji is offered the post of labor chief at a large mining operation in Manchuria, which also grants him exemption from military service. He accepts, and moves to Manchuria with his newly-wed wife Michiko, but when he tries to put his ideas of more humane treatment into practice, he finds himself at odds with scheming officials, cruel foremen, and the military police.

Who’s in it. The Human Condition I: No Greater Love stars Tatsuya Nakadai as Kaji, Michiyo Aratama as Michiko, Chikage Awashima as Tôfuku Kin and Ineko Arima as Shunran Yô, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 8.0/10, The Human Condition I: No Greater Love sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Human Condition I: No Greater Love page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Human Condition I: No Greater Love tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.