The Human Condition (film trilogy)
The Human Condition is a film trilogy by Japanese film director Masaki Kobayashi. The trilogy follows the life of the Japanese, pacifist, socialist Kaji as he tries to survive in the fascist and oppresive world of WWII Japan. The character development of Kaji is considered by many to be inpsirational. The total story is regarded by some viewers as an epic.
The first film in the trilogy is No Greater Love; the film was released in 1959. IMDB Link.
The second film in the trilogy is The Road to Eternity; the film was also released in 1959. IMDB link.
The final film in the trilogy is A Soldier's Prayer and was released two years later, in 1961. IMDB link.
All together, the trilogy is over nine hours long.