Lt. Col. Senda resists the idea of sending Japanese fighter pilots on suicide missions. He believes that what is really necessary for Japan to regain momentum in the war is for the air force to gather its most brilliant pilots into an elite squadron and use the unit to pinpoint attacks on the Americans. Disrespected by the kamikaze pilots who think the "non-suicidal" pilots are afraid, the unit redeems itself by stunning victories. But success leads the military leaders to expect too much of the unit, and new orders portend disaster.
Toshirō Mifune
Yūzō Kayama
Takashi Shimura
Yōsuke Natsuki
Makoto Satō
Susumu Fujita
Jun Tazaki
Akihiko Hirata
Yoshifumi Tajima
Yoshio Kosugi
Senkichi Ōmura
Seizaburō Kawazu
Kiyoshi Atsumi