The unexpected connection between "Roman Holiday" and the atomic bomb: The movie's "model" conveyed the story of a Nagasaki nuclear bomb victim (August 7, 2022)
//Summary - Level-C2//
The connection between Roman Holiday and the atomic bomb lies in journalist Peter Townsend, the inspiration for the movie’s male protagonist. Townsend, who once shared a controversial romance with Princess Margaret, later devoted his life to advocating for peace after grappling with guilt as a WWII pilot. He interviewed Nagasaki atomic bomb survivor Ryohei Taniguchi, amplifying his story of resilience and anti-nuclear advocacy. Their shared commitment to abolishing nuclear weapons forged a bond, with Townsend inspired by Taniguchi’s courage and Taniguchi moved by Townsend’s dedication. Their legacy endures in the call for a nuclear-free, peaceful world.
1)
It's been 77 years since the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.
There is a connection between the "Nagasaki Atomic Bomb" and the timeless classic "Roman Holiday."
The person who connects the two is journalist Peter Townsend.
2)
What is the relationship?
The Atomic Bomb as depicted by the "Roman Holiday " model."
"Roman Holiday" is a timeless classic that remains in film history. It depicts the love between a princess of a particular country and a newspaper reporter.
3)
A person is said to have been the model for this story. That person is...
Princess Margaret of England and Peter Townsend, who was a chamberlain to the royal family.
The princess's love for an ordinary man who was neither an aristocrat nor the son of a wealthy family caused a stir at the time. However, the two broke up.
4)
After that, Peter began working as a journalist. He devoted his life to the story of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb.
Peter passed away 27 years ago. This is his daughter, Isabel.
5)
(Announcer Morikawa)
Q. Why did your father become interested in the atomic bomb?
(Peter's daughter, Isabel Townsend)
"He was interviewing children who were victims of war. Bombing children in war is the most horrific crime against humanity. My father met Taniguchi through an interpreter."
6)
(Ryohei Taniguchi, who was exposed to the atomic bomb in Nagasaki)
"We must not leave even one nuclear weapon on the planet."
"Taniguchi" refers to Ryohei Taniguchi, who was exposed to the atomic bomb while delivering mail at 16 and was known as the "boy with the red back."
7)
Taniguchi continued to advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons until he died in 2017. Peter diligently interviewed Taniguchi and conveyed his story to the world. Why was Peter interested in Taniguchi? He recorded the reason in his voice.
8)
(Peter Townsend)
"I killed people in the war. That's why I have to convey my story as a writer."
Peter was an ace pilot during World War II. He continued to feel guilty about taking so many lives in the war.
9)
(Isabel) "After the war, it was his memories that tormented him. He was troubled by scenes, sounds and nightmares of people dying.
(Morikawa Announcer) "My father was an Air Force pilot, and Taniguchi was a victim. Why were they drawn to each other like magnets?"
10)
(Isabel) "(My father) was sent to war by government orders. He had to do it. He had to kill people. It was unbearable. I can't even imagine. Having to kill people for your country.
So, I think my father's need for peace came from the pain of going to war and fighting. He wished for a peaceful world, and that's what connected him with Taniguchi, a victim of war and the atomic bomb.
11)
Today was Taniguchi's monthly Memorial Day. His daughter Sumie showed us something that Taniguchi treasured while he was alive.
(Taniguchi Ryotei's daughter Sumie)
"Townsend wrote it as a thank you (for the interview). There are pin marks, so I guess he kept it up on the wall where they ate."
12)
"I was deeply moved by your 'willpower' and 'story of courage' and want to convey my heartfelt gratitude."
The two continued to keep in contact until just before he passed away.
13)
(Sumie, daughter of Taniguchi Ryohei)
"I think they had a wonderful relationship. I don't think there was anyone who would visit for that long. I'm sure they were touched by it, and they were like, 'Please pass it on.'"
14)
(Isabel) "(Taniguchi) was trying to share his experience so that the tragedy would never be repeated. My father was thinking the same thing."
(Morikawa) "The two of you had the same goal."
(Isabel) "You both had similar goals."
(Morikawa) "The abolition of nuclear weapons, right?"
(Isabel) "A deep desire for peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons."
15)
Isabel walked around Nagasaki to learn about her father, Peter, and Taniguchi's relationship. The trip was made into a film, which is now available.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine. President Putin has repeatedly made statements suggesting the use of nuclear weapons.
16)
(Sumie, daughter of Taniguchi Ryohei)
"My father would be angry if he heard about this. Especially if we were to use it... he would be angry."
17)
(Isabelle) "If my father were alive, he would be very worried. Citizens and children are left in the hands of politicians, and the government has no responsibility. They are victims. It's completely unfair. I feel that I understand my father now."
18)
Peter and Taniguchi have continued to appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons. When will their voices be heard?
(Taniguchi Ryohei)
"No more Naghasaki, no more Hibaku-sha, no more war"
The unexpected connection between "Roman Holiday" and the atomic bomb: The movie's "model" conveyed the story of a Nagasaki atomic bomb victim (August 7, 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HROp94XRQF8
Colonel Townsend, the tragic love story of the movie "Roman Holiday," was in Kyoto!
https://conex-eco.co.jp/pickup/cinema/89021/#goog_rewarded
The story of how Colonel Townsend, who is said to have been the motif for "Roman Holiday," met a boy from Nagasaki and was born
https://longride.jp/nagasaki-postman/
Movie "Roman Holiday" (1953) IMDb - 8.0/10
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046250/
Former British Air Force Colonel Peter Townsend is said to have inspired the film "Roman Holiday." Later, as a journalist, he interviewed Sumiteru Taniguchi, who was exposed to radiation while delivering mail at the age of 16 and spent his life calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. In 1984, he published a non-fiction novel, "The Postman of Nagasaki." This film is a documentary in which Townsend's daughter, actress Isabel Townsend, follows in her father's footsteps in Nagasaki, relying on her father's books, and unravels her father's and Taniguchi's thoughts. In this age when the word "nuclear weapon" resonates, we need someone to "deliver" our hopes for peace. The message from father to daughter can now be delivered to you.
Trailer for the movie "The Postman of Nagasaki."
https://eiga.com/movie/97222/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nAV892ncPo
It is a documentary about the interaction between Colonel Townsend, a British man who is said to be the model for the classic movie "Roman Holiday," and a boy who was exposed to radiation in Nagasaki.
Colonel Peter Townsend became a hero of the Royal Air Force during the war and served the British royal family after retiring. In the 1950s, his love affair with Princess Margaret was reported, attracting attention worldwide. He later became a journalist and interviewed Ryohei Taniguchi, a man exposed to radiation in Nagasaki, and published the non-fiction novel "THE POSTMAN OF NAGASAKI" in 1984. Taniguchi was exposed to radiation while delivering mail at the age of 16 and has continued to appeal to the world for the abolition of nuclear weapons for the rest of his life. The film follows Colonel Townsend's daughter, actress Isabel Townsend, as she visits Nagasaki in 2018. She unravels her father's and Taniguchi's thoughts using his book and voice memos.
[Grandson confronts "A-bombing"] Interacting with A-bomb victims, working towards "peace" Hiroshima N Selection [A-bomber soldier grandson visits A-bomb victims]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2csHfin10
[Documentary] American soldiers killed in the atomic bomb "American soldiers killed by the bomb" [Full version]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feSdac4OBrI
