It’s 1974 and Lieutenant Onoda leaps out of his ambush position. Norio Suzuki is told to get on his knees as Onoda points his rifle at Suzuki’s chest. Suzuki is trembling but thrilled he has finally found the famous Hiroo Onoda.
Back to 1944 and the Japanese are retreating from the Philippines. On the Philippino island of Lubang, Lieutenant Onoda is instructed by his superior to remain as the Japanese force retreats. He is to go into the jungle, use guerrilla tactics to thwart the Philippino and US forces, until Japan can regroup and return. This he will continue to do with total dedication for 30 years, unaware that the war had ended, refusing to stand down.
Until 1974, when the young student, Norio Suzuki, is confronted by Onoda in the jungle.
Werner Herzog is a writer and filmmaker. This novelisation of Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda’s story was written after Herzog met him. They immediately struck up a relationship as they had common ground. Herzog also had experience of the jungle.
This is a small hardback but very well crafted. Onoda’s story is truly amazing. Herzog does not permit Onoda emotion so we do not get to feel how he feels. This is left for us to imagine. The stoic Japanese soldier is as impervious as the jungle in which he is camouflaged by. A fascinating tale.
Reviewed by Rowena Morcom
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Director. Writer. Producer. Actor. Poet. Werner Herzog studied history, literature and theatre for some time, but didn’t finish it and founded instead his own film production company in 1963. Later in his life, Herzog also staged several operas in Bayreuth, Germany, and at the Milan Scala in Italy. Herzog has won numerous national and international awards for his poetic feature and documentary films.
Werner Herzog was born in Munich on September 5, 1942. He grew up in a remote mountain village in Bavaria and studied History and German Literature in Munich and Pittsburgh. He made his first film in 1961 at the age of 19. Since then he has produced, written, and directed more than 60 feature- and documentary films, such as Aguirre der Zorn Gottes (AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD, 1972), Nosferatu Phantom der Nacht (NOSFERATU, 1978), FITZCARRALDO (1982), Lektionen in Finsternis (LESSONS OF DARKNESS, 1992), LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO FLY (1997), Mein liebster Feind (MY BEST FIEND, 1999), INVINCIBLE (2000), GRIZZLY MAN (2005), ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD (2007), Die Höhle der vergessenen Träume (Cave of Forgotten Dreams, 2010). Werner Herzog has published more than a dozen books of prose, and directed as many operas. Werner Herzog lives in Munich and Los Angeles.
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