Hachi-Ko (VCD)
The classic 1987 film Hachi-Ko is a real story about a dog who is a legend in Japan. It is now available on VCD.
The film, directed by Seijro Kohyama, portrays the touching relationship between Professor Ueno, a famous academic at Tokyo University in the 1920s, and an Akita dog, which was sent to him as a gift.
Despite complaints from his wife, Professor Ueno decides to keep the beautiful dog. Loyal to his master, Hachi walks with the professor to the railway station every morning, and greets him at the station every evening.
The first half of the film is filled with vivid details of the friendship between Professor Ueno and Hachi. It will tug at the heartstrings of every dog-lover. It also makes the second half of the film, which tells of the sudden death of Professor Ueno and Hachi's remarkable loyalty, even more powerful.
The starving dog waits at the railway station for years in the cold for his master to return. These scenes will move even the most cynical person to tears. The film does not over-dramatise these moments, allowing powerful emotions to seep through the solemn images.