Dotanba
どたんば
“Dotanba - Last Minute”
Synopsis
Based on a 1956 television feature on Japan’s national network, NHK, this is one of Uchida’s rarest films. A socially conscious drama with a contemporary backdrop, Dotanba focuses on the attempts to rescue a group of trapped miners. The title is a figure of speech — (essentially “last minute” or “eleventh hour”) — that refers to a situation of peril. The film boasts a script co-written by Uchida and Akira Kurosawa’s frequent screenwriter, Shinobu Hashimoto, and stars Kurosawa’s frequent star Takashi Shimura.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ryuzo Kikushima
- Screenplay & Story
- Ryuzo Kikushima
- Original Score
- Kozaburo Hirai
- Original Title
- どたんば
- Country of Origin
- Japan
- Spoken Languages
- Japanese
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Production Studios
- NHK
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ryuzo Kikushima
Ryuzo Kikushima
Kozaburo Hirai
Department Leadership Roster
Ryuzo Kikushima
Director
Kozaburo Hirai
Original Music Composer
Ryuzo Kikushima
Screenplay
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Dotanba.
More Like Dotanba
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dotanba
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Dotanba about?
Based on a 1956 television feature on Japan’s national network, NHK, this is one of Uchida’s rarest films. A socially conscious drama with a contemporary backdrop, Dotanba focuses on the attempts to rescue a group of trapped miners. The title is a figure of speech — (essentially “last minute” or “eleventh hour”) — that refers to a situation of peril. The film boasts a script co-written by Uchida and Akira Kurosawa’s frequent screenwriter, Shinobu Hashimoto, and stars Kurosawa’s frequent star Takashi Shimura.
Who directed Dotanba?
Dotanba was directed by Ryuzo Kikushima.
Who stars in Dotanba?
The principal cast of Dotanba includes Rentaro Mikuni, Kō Nishimura, Daisuke Katō, Taiji Tonoyama, Jun Tatara.
When was Dotanba released and how long is it?
Dotanba was released in 1956 with a total runtime of 1h 37m.
Who composed the musical score for Dotanba?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Dotanba was composed by Kozaburo Hirai.