The Tide Does Not Return

Reiji and Takashi, although they are brothers, differ from each other like fire and water - Reiji is an empath, and Takashi will use anybody, to get as far up the social ladder as possible. Soon, Takashi dumps his girlfriend Mie to marry the daughter of a certain businessman. Disgusted with this fact, Reiji starts helping the girl. He's even more indignant when he discovers that Mie is terminally ill. From now on, he does everything to make Mie's last days as good as possible, and repay the family, which humiliated woman so much.

Directed by Kōichi Saitō, The Tide Does Not Return leans on a strong ensemble — Teruhiko Saigō, Nana Ozaki, Kohji Moritsugu — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1969.