戦後50年記念作品として作られた名作の再映画化。神山征二郎が原作『ひめゆりの塔をめぐる人々の手記』をもとに実在の人々をモデルとし、各エピソードも慎重に検証を重ねた上で再現、“真実に忠実“な「ひめゆりの塔」となっている。従軍前の少女たちの日常や半ば強制的に従軍させられていく過程から描き、“なぜ彼女たちが戦場へ向かったのか“を克明に記している。少女たちの死に至る数々のエピソードを積み重ねる一方、勇気を持って投降し“生きること“を選んだ者や、戦場に取り残されたものの、のちに米軍によって命を助けられた者のエピソードを加え、生きることの尊さをうたい上げている。

Naoto Ogata plays Sadajiro, a young farmer fighting out the battle of the riot through to the end. Sadajiro's wife is played by Hiromi Iwasaki, his father is played by Go Kato and Ryuzo Hayashi plays a leader of the Riot. The Riot in Gujo is called one of the biggest three riots in the Edo Period as it took almost 5 years to settle and also involved the Edo government. This movie is a period film about the riot and Gujo farmers fighting for their tenacity of purpose. The farmers had suffered enough from heavy taxes and decided to rise up in riot when the domain lord, Yorikane, issued a new act, which practically forced tax increases. Asking the lord to retract the act, they pour down to the Hachiman Castle. For once they attain the repeal deed signed by the chief retainer. However the promise is broken. Now the farmers decide to make a direct plea to the Edo Residence…This film is full tension and breathless moments.