Based on Toson Shimazaki’s novel, Keisuke Kinoshita’s film follows the difficulties of a young schoolteacher who tries to conceal the fact that his ancestors belonged to Japan’s pariah class, and who loses his job when the truth comes out. Made during the American occupation (1948), the film makes expressive use of natural locations. Not to be confused with Kon Ichikawa’s 1961 remake, which used the same title. (JR)