What the War Meant
2008, Japanese. Directed by Shin'ichi Kamoshita.
The drama stars Beat Takeshi as General Hideki Tojo, who served as Prime Minister of Japan during World War II and was later executed as a war criminal. The story's theme is said to be a look at how the Pacific War began, focusing mostly on the three month period between the Imperial Conference (Gozen Kaigi) on September 6, 1941, and the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
- Runtime
- 4h 37m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch What the War Meant
What the War Meant isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 24 December 2008.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Shin'ichi KamoshitaDirector
- Katsunori TakahashiMasaichi Yoshiwara
- Takeshi KitanoHideki Tojo
- Yuichiro YamaguchiHumimaro Konoe
- Masatô IbuShigetaro Shimada
- Tadahiko HiranoHajime Mazuyama
- Ren OsugiTeichi Suzuki
- Kazunori MimuraCast
- Hiroshi AbeAkiho Ishii
- Isao HashizumeShigenori Togo
- Morio KazamaKoichi Kito
- Katsumi TakahashiAkira Muto
- Toru MasuokaOkinori Kaya
Details
- Released
- 24 December 2008
- Original title
- あの戦争は何だったのか 日米開戦と東条英機
- Country
- Japan
- Written by
- Shunsaku Ikehata
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked What the War Meant
The Scarlet and the Black
1983 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Tora! Tora! Tora!
1970 · 7.2/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Field of Lost Shoes
2015 · 6.1/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Emperor
2012 · 6.2/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Walking with the Enemy
2014 · 6.3/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
MacArthur
1977 · 6.2/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Last Rifleman
2023 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Cruel Sea
1953 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Flags of Our Fathers
2006 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Thin Red Line
1998 · 7.4/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
What the War Meant: quick answers
Is What the War Meant worth watching?
What the War Meant doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is What the War Meant?
What the War Meant runs 277 minutes (4h 37m).
Does What the War Meant have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for What the War Meant. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
What the War Meant parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for What the War Meant yet.
Which OTT platform is What the War Meant on?
What the War Meant isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 24 December 2008. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like What the War Meant?
If you liked What the War Meant, try The Scarlet and the Black, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Field of Lost Shoes.
Who directed What the War Meant?
What the War Meant (2008) was directed by Shin'ichi Kamoshita and stars Katsunori Takahashi, Takeshi Kitano, Yuichiro Yamaguchi.