is a 1975 Japanese drama film directed by Kirio Urayama from a story by Hiroyuki Itsuki. A direct sequel titled Seishun no mon: Jiritsu hen (éÂÂæÂ¥ã®éÂÂ: èªç«Âç¯Â, transl. The Gate of Youth: Part 2), also directed by Urayama, was released in 1977.
Mainly the story of Shinsuke and his stepmother, ranging from Shinsuke's infancy to his mid-teens. Coal workers and the Chikuo mines dominate nearly every aspect of the life of the characters. Shinsuke's father dies while bravely using dynamite to rescue a group of trapped Korean miners. Shinsuke must then grow up without a father in a world of poverty.
Author Itsuki and director Urayama had disagreements over the casting and plot of the first adaptation of Itsuki's series. For instance, Itsuki originally opposed the casting of Keiko Takahashi as Azusa, though he changed his mind after meeting her.
Despite these creative differences, The Gate of Youth made ÃÂ¥548 million, making it the fifth highest-grossing film at the Japanese box office in 1975.
A sequel titled Seishun no mon: Jiritsu hen (lit. The Gate of Youth: Part 2) was released in 1977. Though that installment was also a success, the disagreements between director and author grew too big to overcome, and a planned third installment was scrapped. Itsuki then took the series to Toei, where it was remade in 1981.