My reflections on "The Castle of Sand" / "Suna no utsuwa" (1974), directed by Yoshitarō Nomura - a timeless piece in the mystery genre

I watched this movie not too long ago, and when I looked for discussions about it online, I found almost nothing. So, I wanted to use this post to bring this film to the attention of those who might not have seen it yet.

I became aware of this movie when I saw the novel it’s inspired by being highlighted by mangaka Gosho Aoyama in a volume of his famous series, "Detective Conan". Being curious about this story, I found out it was originally serialized in a newspaper in 1960. I know there are at least 4 adaptations for film and TV of this work, and the 1974 film is particularly celebrated as a classic in its home country. I haven't read the book, so I can't really say how closely the film follows it or if there were any changes to the screenplay since the film was made 14 years after the book.

The movie is a police procedural that showcases the careful and slow nature of detective work, akin to some of my favourite investigative films like "Zodiac", "Memories of Murder", and even "All the President's Men" and "Spotlight." It starts with the discovery of an old man, found bludgeoned to death in a Tokyo rail yard. The story then follows two detectives as they attempt to figure out who the old man is, using just a scrap of conversation that was overheard by witnesses in a bar, between the old man and a younger man. What unfolds next is a sprawling investigation that traverses Japan.

Presented in a travelogue style, this film captures the expansive geography and stunning landscapes of 1970s Japan. The cinematography and editing, characterized by wide shots and a slow pace, reflect the nature of the thorough investigative work depicted on screen, rather than the quick cuts that are more common in today’s crime thrillers. The storyline weaves in another character alongside the investigation scenes, making viewers suspect a potential suspect early on. We get a sense of the "who?" regarding the murder, but like the detectives, we are still in the dark about the "why?".

In the last third of the film, as the investigation's findings come to light, it becomes a classic cinematic experience. The various intertwined story-lines begin to unravel. One thread shows the detectives sharing their case findings. In another, we get a montage of the killer's backstory. This montage is set to a classical music piece that another character is conducting in a different thread. As the music builds to a climax, we are swept away by an emotional and heartbreaking conclusion. I really liked this part, but I can see how modern viewers might think it's a bit too melodramatic and sentimental. Also, the final message shown on screen feels a bit overstated by today's standards, though it might have resonated better back in 1974.

In my view, the narrative, visuals, and music certainly contribute to this film's status as a classic in the mystery genre. I am sure I will be watching it more often in the future. I hope this post encourages a wider audience to appreciate this film, which features a cool and meticulous police investigation in the first two-thirds, leading to a sweeping emotional payoff in the last third, with an extensive flashback that evokes the storytelling style of the silent film era.