Akatsuki no Dassō
# Akatsuki no Dassō

Escape at Dawn (暁の脱走, Akatsuki no Dassō) is a 1950 Japanese anti-war film directed by Senkichi Taniguchi. Co-written by Taniguchi and Akira Kurosawa, the film is based on Story of a Prostitute by Taijiro Tamura. The film revolves around a tragic affair between a soldier involved in the Manchurian campaign and a prostitute.

The film received two awards at the Mainichi Film Concours and was later remade by Seijun Suzuki at Nikkatsu.

## Plot

Mikami, a Japanese soldier serving in China, is captured by Chinese forces. Although he is able to escape, he is treated with contempt by his peers. After falling in love with a prostitute named Harumi, she convinces him to desert the army and live with her.

## Cast

* Ryō Ikebe as Mikami
* Yoshiko Yamaguchi as Harumi
* Eitaro Ozawa as Adjutant
* Hajime Izu as Oda
* Haruo Tanaka as Noro
* Setsuko Wakayama as Kaoru

## Release

Escape at Dawn was released in Japan on 8 January 1950 where it was distributed by Shintoho.

## Reception

Escape at Dawn was ranked as the third-best Japanese film of 1950 by Kinema Junpo critics. The film received two awards at the Mainichi Film Concours: Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

