Red Angel

Red Angel

Year: 1966

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Yasuzō Masumura

DramaWarRomance

In 1939, young army nurse Sakura Nishi is dispatched to field hospitals in China during the Sino‑Japanese War, assisting surgeon Dr. Okabe with countless amputations. Amid crowded wards she consoles soldiers, even providing sexual comfort to an armless veteran. She falls for Okabe and follows him to the front despite his morphine‑induced impotence.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Red Angel yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Red Angel (1966)

Trace every key event in Red Angel (1966) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Nishi begins nursing in wartime China

Sakura Nishi works as a nurse in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, tending to chronically ill men in a crowded ward. She faces the harsh realities of war, with limited supplies and constant patient influx.

China (ward)
2

Hospital overwhelmed and under-resourced

The hospital is overwhelmed, with too few doctors and not enough medicine to treat the wounded. Nishi and her colleagues push through long shifts, keeping patients alive under exhausting conditions.

Field hospital, China
3

Nishi is raped and reports the assault

Nishi is raped by a patient, Sakamoto, an event that shatters her sense of safety. She reports the assault, and Sakamoto is sent away to the front lines.

Ward, hospital, China
4

Nishi is reassigned to a field hospital

Following the assault, Nishi is reassigned to a field hospital closer to the front. She joins Doctor Okabe and faces the mounting chaos of war surgery with scarce resources.

Field hospital, China
5

Sakamoto arrives wounded; transfusion dilemma

Sakamoto is brought in shot in the belly and dying, testing the hospital's limits. Doctor Okabe refuses a blood transfusion, arguing Sakamoto is beyond saving, while Nishi pleads for another approach.

Field hospital, China
6

Okabe's room and the morphine moment

Okabe tries to save Sakamoto on the condition that Nishi visits his room that night. After Sakamoto dies, Nishi goes to Okabe's room where he talks, drinks wine, and sleeps, hinting at a complicated dynamic between them. He asks her to inject him with morphine before he sleeps.

Okabe's room, field hospital, China
7

Nishi forms a bond with an amputee man

Shortly thereafter, Nishi grows close to a man who has lost his arms and begins a sexual relationship with him. When she ends the relationship, the man, feeling abandoned, commits suicide.

Field hospital, China
8

Deployment to a front-line village

Okabe, Nishi, and two other nurses are sent to a village on the front line to tend to soldiers and civilians. They face the dangers and moral strain of war in a tight, exposed community.

Front-line village, China
9

Cholera outbreak and predatory behavior

A comfort woman in the village is infected with cholera, and the disease spreads to soldiers. Okabe attempts to establish hygiene measures, but the troops behave like wild animals, trying to rape the nurses and spreading illness.

Front-line village, China
10

Morphine withdrawal and renewed love

On the eve of an anticipated attack, Nishi helps Okabe withdraw from morphine, which had left him impotent. The two then have sex and reaffirm their love for one another.

Okabe's quarters, front-line village, China
11

Attack on the village

The Chinese Army attacks the village, and the defense begins to crumble under the assault. The fighting heightens the threat to every survivor, including Nishi and the remaining nurses.

Front-line village, China
12

Nishi survives and finds Okabe beyond the chaos

Nishi wakes to find she is the only survivor; Japanese soldiers arrive and claim they've fought back, but she tells them to stay away to avoid infection. She searches the battlefield and finds Okabe's corpse, embracing him in sorrow.

Battlefield outskirts near village, China

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:18

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Red Angel

Don't stop at just watching — explore Red Angel in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Red Angel is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Red Angel Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Red Angel, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Red Angel Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Red Angel

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Red Angel. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Red Angel

More About Red Angel

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Red Angel: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Red Angel

Similar Movies to Red Angel

Discover movies like Red Angel that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.