The Firefly (2001): cast, story & where to watch
2001 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 2001, The Firefly is a drama film directed by Yasuo Furuhata, running about 114 minutes.
What it’s about. Japanese film icon Ken Takakura, who has starred in over 100 films, stars in this elegiac look at war and remembrance. Hideji Yamaoka (Takakura) was a suicide pilot during the war who somehow survived Japan's surrender. After decades of working as a fisherman in Kumamoto, a provincial seaside city in southern Kyushu, Yamaoka remains reluctant to discuss his wartime experiences with anyone, much less an intrusive reporter looking for a feature story. Then a series of events shake Yamaoka to the core, forcing him to re-evaluate his past.
Who’s in it. The Firefly stars Ken Takakura as Yamaoka Shuji, Yuko Tanaka as Tomoko Yamaoka, Isao Natsuyagi as Takemoto and Ryûji Harada as Tetsuo, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, The Firefly has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Firefly page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Firefly tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Firefly (2001)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Firefly change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Firefly worth watching?
- The Firefly holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Firefly?
- The Firefly stars Ken Takakura, Yuko Tanaka, Isao Natsuyagi, Ryûji Harada and Takami Mizuhashi.
- When was The Firefly released?
- The Firefly was released in 2001, with a runtime of about 114 minutes.