Takashi Shimura is utterly convincing as the reserved local government functionary who’s stayed in the same job for decades by keeping his head down, yet when stomach cancer strikes he resolves to bring some meaning to an otherwise fruitless life. Scrupulously avoiding slushy sentiment, the film’s narrative structure then cleverly moves the focus to the old man’s perplexed colleagues, pertinently prompting every viewer to ponder their own contribution to the common good.
Recently remade as Living with Bill Nighy, this powerful, compassionate reflection on mortality and making the most of the time we have (the translated title of ‘to live’ poetically conveys the film’s transformative outlook) is an absolute masterpiece – and is reportedly Steven Spielberg’s favourite film.