This movie portrays an episode at the Pacific theater of the World War II, without over dramatization.
The battle of Saipan is said to be the decisive battle of the Pacific theater. After Japan lost most of the island, a captain found himself the highest ranked officer among Japanese soldiers that survived. His behaviors, struggles and decisions form the plot of the movie. It is interesting that he was not a career military man, but a teacher of geography.
Besides the lead character, Captain Oba, a tattooed man Horiuchi and a nurse Aono accent the movie. Another unique character is an American captain Luis, but his acting is mean compared to other three.
You can see this movie as food for thought about leadership. Oba's leadership is not like the one President Mandela in Invictus showed - very strong, indomitable leadership led by high ideas. In far outnumbered circumstances, with little reliable information from outside, and without anyone to consult with, he makes his decision, which turned out right in many cases. But he can not persuade some of subordinates who stubbornly refuse to surrender and stick to hopeless fight. At first, Oba was to attack the US back, but he flexibly changed his mind that his mission is no longer to attack but to defend the civilian survivors. Now I will not write more to keep this article from a spoiler. Anyhow, corporate senior managers would feel strong empathy with Captain Oba.