Hidari Sachiko delivers a strong performance as Yae, portraying the young geisha who offers shelter to Rentarô Mikuni’s character, Inukai, during a storm. The following morning, he departs, leaving her with a substantial sum of money that allows her to resolve her financial difficulties and alter her circumstances, though he vanishes afterward. Unbeknownst to them, the storm was actually a tornado which resulted in the sinking of a nearby ferryboat. As authorities investigate this event, two unidentified bodies are discovered, subsequently linked to a fire that devastated a local village where a robbery had occurred. The central question becomes: what happened to the money? Who was responsible for the deaths of those men? Years later, Yae recognizes a photograph in a newspaper and believes it may depict her former benefactor, prompting her to seek him out to express gratitude—an action with devastating repercussions. The film’s considerable length, exceeding three hours, is justified by the skillful blending of past and present narratives; the police work and development of characters are detailed and well-considered, creating a layered crime thriller. However, what initially contributes to the thriller's effectiveness ultimately detracts from the conclusion. The ending feels deeply unsatisfactory due to numerous issues. It’s not that the resolution itself is inappropriate, but rather the investigative methods—keeping in mind the limited forensic science available at the time—feel overly convenient and unrealistic. Despite this significant flaw, it remains a well-paced film with striking visuals and a cohesive approach to storytelling.

Source on TMDB