Onoda

Onoda is a 2021 French biographical drama film directed by Arthur Harari and starring Kanji Tsuda as Hiroo Onoda. The film chronicles the remarkable true story of Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese intelligence officer who continued to fight World War II for 29 years after the war ended. Onoda refused to surrender, believing the war was still ongoing, and lived as a guerrilla soldier in the jungles of the Philippines.

The movie details Onoda's life as he, along with a few loyal followers, evaded capture by Filipino authorities and American forces. He adhered strictly to his military training and ideology, surviving on the land and engaging in sporadic skirmishes. His unwavering dedication and the extreme conditions he endured are central to the narrative. The film explores his internal struggles, his relationship with his companions, and his eventual confrontation with the changing world.

After nearly three decades, the war finally ended for Onoda when his former commanding officer traveled to the Philippines to personally order him to lay down his arms. This climactic moment marked the end of his extraordinary and isolated existence. The film depicts his adjustment to civilian life and the profound impact his years in the jungle had on his psyche. Onoda offers a compelling look at duty, loyalty, and the enduring power of human will in the face of isolation and delusion.