Watch The Bullet Train

The Bullet Train, released in Japan as Shinkansen Daibakuha, is a 1975 action thriller directed by Junya Satô, and produced by Toei Company. The movie stars Ken Takakura, Shin'ichi Chiba, and Kei Yamamoto in the lead roles. The plot of the movie revolves around a group of terrorists who plant a bomb on a high-speed bullet train, and demand a ransom of 1 billion yen from the Japanese government. The government then sends a special team of detectives to find the bomb and stop it from exploding.

The movie is set in Japan in the mid-1970s, a time when the country was experiencing rapid economic growth and modernization. The bullet train, or Shinkansen, was a technological marvel of its time, and played a significant role in the nation's progress. The movie captures the excitement and pride of the people in this brilliant train, and the director uses this as a backdrop to create a thrilling and suspenseful drama.

The story begins with two gun-toting terrorists boarding a bullet train bound for Tokyo. These terrorists, led by Ryûichi Sakurai (played by Shin'ichi Chiba), are part of a group called "Black September." They have planted a bomb on the train and demand a ransom of 1 billion yen, threatening to blow up the train if their demands are not met. They give the government only 30 minutes to make the payment.

The government, led by Chief Inspector Kuroda (played by Ken Takakura), learns of the situation and immediately dispatches a team of detectives to find the bomb and neutralize it. Kuroda, an experienced detective, is aware of the gravity of the situation and works tirelessly to prevent the disaster from happening.

The detectives are faced with a daunting task, as they have to search for the bomb in a moving train, traveling at 230 km/h. They have only a limited time and no clear idea of where the bomb may be located. The suspense builds as the detectives race against time, trying to uncover the location of the bomb before it explodes.

As the train hurtles towards its destination, tensions mount between the passengers, and some of them start to suspect each other of being terrorists. The detectives must navigate this complex situation and find the bomb before it's too late. However, just when it seems like they have located the bomb, they realize to their shock, that there are actually two bombs on the train.

The movie is a masterpiece in suspenseful filmmaking, as the director expertly navigates the twists and turns of the story, keeping the audience on edge throughout. The sense of urgency and danger are palpable, as the detectives work against the clock to prevent a disaster.

The movie's greatest strength lies in the performances of the lead actors. Ken Takakura shines as the determined and resourceful Chief Inspector Kuroda, who never gives up in the face of danger. Shin'ichi Chiba is equally impressive as the calm and collected mastermind behind the terrorist group. His portrayal of Ryûichi Sakurai is nuanced and layered, making him one of the most memorable villains in Japanese cinema.

The Bullet Train is more than just a thriller; it's a commentary on the social and political situation of Japan in the 1970s. The movie depicts the tension and anxiety of a society grappling with terrorism and violence. It shows how ordinary people can turn on each other under extreme circumstances and raises important questions about the role of government in preventing such incidents.

In conclusion, The Bullet Train is a gripping and thrilling action movie that is a must-watch for fans of the genre. Its masterful direction and outstanding performances make it a true classic of Japanese cinema. The movie has stood the test of time and remains relevant even today, more than four decades after its release.

The Bullet Train is a 1976 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.