The Fossil
1975, Japanese. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi.
An industrialist is diagnosed with terminal cancer. He is abroad in Europe at the time, and a glimpse of a Japanese woman in that setting causes him to imagine her as the personification of his impending fate. As his dialogue with his imagined mortality continues, he meets the living woman, the template for his fantasy, and together, they tour rural churches. Gradually, he comes to some kind of peace about the diagnosis. When he returns to Japan, he is met with a series of challenges that profoundly test the lessons he has learned.
- Runtime
- 3h 21m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- NR
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Where to watch The Fossil
The Fossil isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 4 October 1975.
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Cast & crew
- Masaki KobayashiDirector
- Shin SaburiTajihei Itsuki
- Keiko KishiMadame Marcelin
- Hisashi IgawaFunazu
- Mayumi OgawaAkiko Itsuki
- Komaki KuriharaKiyoko Itsuki
- Kei YamamotoAkihiko Kishi
- Orie SatōKishi's wife
- Seiji MiyaguchiSunami
- Haruko SugimuraItsuki's stepmother
- Ichirō NakataniTaisuke (Itskuki's brother)
- Yoshio InabaToyoshima
- Sue MitobeItsuki family's maid
Details
- Released
- 4 October 1975
- Original title
- 化石
- Country
- Japan
- Written by
- Takeshi Yoshida, Shun Inagaki
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The Fossil: quick answers
Is The Fossil worth watching?
The Fossil doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Fossil?
The Fossil runs 201 minutes (3h 21m).
Does The Fossil have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Fossil. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Fossil parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
The Fossil is rated NR in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is The Fossil on?
The Fossil isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 4 October 1975. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Fossil?
If you liked The Fossil, try If Cats Disappeared from the World, How Sarah Got Her Wings, Donovan's Echo.
Who directed The Fossil?
The Fossil (1975) was directed by Masaki Kobayashi and stars Shin Saburi, Keiko Kishi, Hisashi Igawa.