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Mountain Views News Saturday, November 8, 2025


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

 

[Nyerges is an educator and author. His many books can be seen at www.
SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.]

 

THE BURMESE HARP - A Movie Review


MEET OLLIE--A LITTLE 
COUGAR CUB!

Handsome Ollie, age 12 
months, is a young, sleek 
boy who looks just like a 
little cougar! He’s playful, 
curious, and confident, with 
a soft spot for snuggles—
especially with his kitty 
siblings. Ollie enjoys being 
around other cats and does 
best with calm companions who match his easygoing energy.

He’s a social boy who loves attention—always happy to 
be petted, brushed, or admired for his good looks! While 
Ollie has a confident personality, he also has a sweet and 
affectionate side that shines through when he’s spending time 
with his humans.

When he’s not lounging on the highest perch of the cat tree (his 
favorite throne), you’ll find him chasing toys, watching “Cat TV,” 
or simply soaking up love. With his big-cat looks and loving heart, 
Ollie is sure to bring beauty, fun, and affection to his forever home. 

Don’t miss your chance to bring this purr-monster home! See 
more of him and his siblings and apply to meet Ollie today at 
https://www.lifelineforpets.org/mindys-kittens.html or use the qr 
code. 


I recently sat spell-bound for nearly two hours, watching the emotionally-riveting 
film, The Burmese Harp, produced in 1956 in black and white.

The movie follows a company of Japanese soldiers, stationed in Burma, following the surrender of 
Japan. The captain of this company, Inouye, had been drafted out of music school, and regularly led 
the soldiers in song. This group of singing soldiers is depicted as different, healthier, and happier 
because they sing so frequently. One soldier, Mizushima Yasuhiko, often plays his harp to accompany 
the singing.

When news of the surrender is received, the soldiers are exuberant, and begin preparations to depart 
within a few weeks or so. 

Mizushima is also the company scout, because he could be mistaken for Burmese. Another group 
of soldiers is hiding out in a cave, refusing to surrender, and so Mizushima is sent to convince them 
to surrender. They angrily tell Mizushima that they will never surrender, that they would rather die 
than surrender. [Historical fact: The last two Japanese soldier holdouts from WWII were captured 
in 1978!].

Mizushima fails in his task, and the cave is bombed by the British, apparently killing every-one. 
Mizushima’s company assume that Mizushima is dead, and they make plans to move along to an 
eventual camp where they will be taken back to Japan.

The story then tracks Mizushima, who although wounded, was not killed. He was healed and 
brought back to health by a Buddhist monk. Though Mizushima could have returned to his company, 
he was overcome with grief for all the dead soldiers still in Burma. He set about burning and 
burying the dead, the anguish and terror of war having changed him permanently. At some point, 
he becomes a monk.

When I watched the unfolding plot of this story, told through two different perspectives, I wondered 
why so few people have heard of this masterpiece. It was actually the 27th film by 41-year-old Japanese 
film-maker Ichikawa, and apparently his most famous. It is a hauntingly compelling movie 
that draws you along in its story and vistas, very much as you’d expect in a classic Kurasawa movie.

Filmed in 1956, there were still Japanese at that time who believed that Japan should not have surrendered, 
and that it had been wrong for their government to surrender. And though the movie has 
been described as an “anti-war” movie, that description seems to miss the point.

War seems inevitable in human life. Yet, when everyone is drawn up into various conflicts, there 
are endless choices that can be made, for better or worse. Inouye led his soldiers in song, that lifted 
their spirits. And Mizushima, after his near-death experience, decided he would no longer be a 
soldier, but remained in Burma as a monk, burying the dead, and per-haps contemplating returning 
to Japan one day.

The movie was based on a novel by Takeyama, written in 1946, and the movie largely sticks to the 
book. One early critic of the Burmese Harp movie suggested that the movie white-washed the 
atrocities of Japan in Burma in WWII. This is probably an unwarranted criticism, since the movie 
accurately depicts the appalling cost of human life in war, and more importantly, that there is always 
an alternative to the militaristic spirit. The fact that Mizushima could change from a Japanese soldier 
to a monk under such dire conditions is where the movie gives us all hope.

The Burmese Harp is strongly recommended, and I give it my highest rating.


Pet of the Week

 
Campion is a big, gray pittie at Pasadena 
Humane with an unforgettable smile. This 
handsome boy came to the shelter after the 
Eaton Fire unfortunately displaced his family. 
While his beginning days under our care 
were a bit stressful, he’s shown himself to be a 
playful, affectionate companion.

 Out in the shelter’s training yard, Campion 
lights up — happily chasing squeaky toys and 
balls, leaning in for pets, and rolling over for 
belly rubs from everyone he knows. He’s a 
sweet, goofy guy who just wants to be near 
those he trusts.

 That being said, Campion’s perfect home is 
a calm one with no other pets or young kids, 
where he can relax and feel secure. He may 
need a little patience with new people, but he is so worth it.

After all he’s been through, Campion’s ready to share that huge smile with a family of 
his own. Come meet Campion — and see why he’s impossible not to love!

 The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, 
and age-appropriate vaccines. 

 Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable 
pets at pasadenahumane.org.

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care 
for your pet. 

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by 
phone calls or email.


PASADENA PETS

Pasadena Waiving Adoption Fees for Older Pets

 

PASADENA (CNS) - The Pasadena Humane Society is waiving all adoption

fees for pets aged 5 and older in November in honor of National Adopt a Senior

Pet Month, officials said today.

 The fee waiver is being offered thanks to the sponsorship of the Mericos Foundation, 
and aims to highlight the benefits of adopting older pets.

 ``Senior pets tend to be calmer, often house-trained, and ready to settle in right 
away -- but what really sets them apart is their capacity for love,'' Pasadena Humane 
President and CEO Chris Ramon said. ``They may be older, but they have just as 
much love to give. In return, you'll gain an affectionate, devoted companion.''

 All dogs and cats available for adoption are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and 
have received age-appropriate vaccinations. 

New adopters will also receive a complimentary wellness exam with a partner veterinarian, 
along with a packet of information on pet care.

 Throughout November anyone interested in meeting adoptable senior pets is encouraged 
to visit pasadenahumane.org or visit the shelter during adoptions hours 
daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com