The first revelation of Morimoto's film is how many of these suicide pilots actually survived, either due to the breakdown of their decrepit planes or to the war simply ending before those fateful orders were received. Now well into retirement, what emerges is huge regret at the wasted lives of their contemporaries, under orders that were a vain attempt to recover from a war effort that was doomed. The Tokkotai were elevated to the state of Gods, so they would relinquish all human desires other than to complete their mission and sink the US ships at all costs. In the tale end of 1945, low on natural resources, equipment and weapons, they were seen as a last hope. Forceful propaganda messages in the final stages of the war even suggested the whole population should see themselves as kamikaze in the face of American attacks.

Wings of Defeat follows a fairly conventional documentary path as American-born Japanese, Morimoto, travels to Japan to discover more about her uncle, a Tokkotai himself. Some fascinating talking head interviews are interspersed with poignant and astonishing archive footage of kamikaze attacks. In a post 9/11 environment, these are spookily reminiscent of a much more recent period of American (and indeed, global) history. A Manga-inspired animated section recounts one failed kamikaze mission, and provides a nice departure from the standard format, though how it fits with the material may not be to everyone's tastes.

Most surprising perhaps is the reaction of the US naval crew who were at the angry end of the Tokkotai nose dives. Challenged on what they thought of the Japanese pilots, one matter of factly states he would have done the same had his country asked it of him. And that seems to be the heart of what's recounted here – these were just scared young men who wanted to do the best for their country and the greater good, however misguided this was. And although it remains a shocking and difficult thing to comprehend, as with so many wartime decisions, when the top powers ask something of their troops the patriotic impulse takes hold. Of course that's not to say that given a different leader the US airforce would have become Tokkotai - there are obviously a wealth of complex social, spiritual and cultural influences – but it does imply some common ground.

Given extra resonance through comparison between the aged interviewees and footage of the early violent deaths they so narrowly avoided, Wings of Defeat is insightful and moving without resorting to crass sentimentality.