Synopsis

Japan at War in Colour 1931-45 Through its remarkable colour footage and unique record, Colour of War IV: The Japanese Story tells the story of Japan and its people during the Second World War. Following the critical success of TWI/Carlton's previous 'in-colour' series, the award-winning production team has now turned its attention to a further piece in the jigsaw of the colour film heritage of The Second World War.

COLOUR OF WAR IV: THE JAPANESE STORY 1931-45. It uses never-before-seen footage to tell a story never previously attempted: not a critical condemnation of a brutal, war-mongering nation; not conversely a selective paean for a misunderstood people; but simply a story of people at war, as told by those who lived it - the innocent and the guilty, the leaders and the followers, the victims and the oppressors. It had been assumed that no colour material existed in Japan until victorious United States forces arrived in 1945. But the series will provide a remarkable colour record of Japan from as early as 1931. Almost all the material has been recently discovered and ranges from Imperial Japanese troops in Manchuria in 1931, to remarkable domestic scenes of Japan in the 1930s; from preparations for war in 1939 to images of occupation troops in Shanghai in 1940.

By utilising the powerful insight of the witness technique, as used in previous IMG Media/Carlton productions, the letters and diaries of Japanese serviceman and civilians combine with the emotive impact of colour film to tell a unique story.

Date:01.09.2003

Duration:2 x 49 min programmes

Rights:All TV & DVD rights

Territories:Worldwide ex Japan

Format / Aspect Ratio:16:9

Production Company:IMG for ITV1