Okinawa (film)

Okinawa is a 1970 American war film directed by John Sturges, starring Sean Connery and Toshiro Mifune. The film focuses on the final weeks of the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. Connery plays Captain John Millius, a US Marine officer assigned to train a group of local Okinawan militia fighters to resist the advancing Japanese forces. Mifune portrays Captain Sakae Arashi, the disillusioned leader of the Okinawan militia, who initially resists Millius's efforts but gradually comes to respect him and embrace the fight for their homeland. The film depicts the brutal realities of war, the cultural clashes between the American Marines and the Okinawan people, and the sacrifices made by both sides during the battle. It explores themes of duty, honor, and the shared humanity found even in the midst of conflict. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of combat and its attempts to depict the Okinawan perspective on the war. While fictionalized, it draws inspiration from historical accounts and events of the Battle of Okinawa.