The Human Condition (1961): cast, story & where to watch
1961 · Film · ★ 7.5
Released in 1961, The Human Condition is a drama and war film directed by Masaki Kobayashi, running about 579 minutes.
What it’s about. The Human Condition is a Japanese epic film trilogy made between 1959 and 1961 The trilogy follows the life of Kaji, a Japanese pacifist and socialist, as he tries to survive in the totalitarian and oppressive world of World War II-era Japan. Taken altogether as a single film, it is 9 hours and 47 minutes long, which includes intermissions, making it one of the longest narrative films ever made. While the films earned considerable controversy at the time of their release in Japan, The Human Condition was critically acclaimed, won many international awards, and has since established Masaki Kobayashi as one of the most important Japanese directors of his generation.
Who’s in it. The Human Condition stars Tatsuya Nakadai as Kaji and Michiyo Aratama as Michiko.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, The Human Condition 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 Human Condition page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Human Condition tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Human Condition (1961)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Human Condition change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Human Condition worth watching?
- The Human Condition holds an audience score of 7.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and war. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Human Condition?
- The Human Condition stars Tatsuya Nakadai and Michiyo Aratama.
- When was The Human Condition released?
- The Human Condition was released in 1961, with a runtime of about 579 minutes.