Akatsuki no Dassō

Escape at Dawn (暁の脱走) 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.