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Elephant from "Zoo Story"

0% | Apr 09, 1957 | Drama

The fifth film in the Toho Diamond series, following "The Hateful Thing." Based on the true story of "Zoo Story" by author Fukuda Saburo. During the Tokyo air raids of World War II, Zen-san, an elephant keeper at Ueno Zoo, is faced with the heartbreaking task of euthanizing Tonki, a beloved elephant, due to food shortages and wartime pressures. Unable to carry out the order, Zen-san secretly feeds Tonki, but the elephant is ultimately shot by the military police. The film poignantly captures Zen-san’s despair and the devastation of war, as he reflects on his powerlessness amid the chaos.

Featured Crew

Saburo Fukuda
Original Story
Kajirō Yamamoto
Director

Cast

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Kenichi Enomoto
Zen-san (Elephant Officer)
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Keiju Kobayashi
Head of Animal Care Division, Higashi
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Momoko Kôchi
Yoshiko (Student mobilization)
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Kyōko Anzai
Miyazawa Sensei
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Yoshio Kosugi
Sugiura (Gatekeeper)

Images