Fullmetal Alchemist (2017) is a live-action adaptation of one of the most beloved manga and anime series of all time. Directed by Fumihiko Sori, the film attempts to condense a dense, philosophical, and action-heavy story into a single cinematic experience. The result is a visually ambitious, occasionally uneven, but undeniably passionate adaptation.
Detailed Summary
The World of Alchemy and the Law of Equivalent Exchange
The story takes place in the fictional country of Amestris, where alchemy is a respected science governed by the unbreakable rule of Equivalent Exchange: to gain something, something of equal value must be lost. This principle is not just scientific but moral, shaping the lives of everyone who practices alchemy.
The Elric Brothers’ Forbidden Experiment
Edward and Alphonse Elric grow up under the care of their mother Trisha after their father mysteriously disappears. When Trisha dies from illness, the brothers attempt the ultimate taboo: human transmutation. The experiment catastrophically fails. Edward loses his left leg, then sacrifices his right arm to bind Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor.
This moment establishes the emotional core of the film: guilt, responsibility, and the price of defying nature.
Becoming the Fullmetal Alchemist
Edward receives mechanical prosthetics known as automail and joins the military as the youngest ever State Alchemist, earning the title “Fullmetal Alchemist.” His goal is clear: find the Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary object that could restore their bodies without Equivalent Exchange.
Encounters with Allies and Enemies
As Edward and Alphonse investigate the Stone, they encounter key figures:
- Roy Mustang, the ambitious Flame Alchemist
- Winry Rockbell, Edward’s automail mechanic and emotional anchor
- Lust, a seductive and deadly homunculus
- Envy, a cruel shapeshifter with a personal connection to the Elrics
The tone shifts between military intrigue, moral dilemmas, and intense action as the brothers learn the Philosopher’s Stone is far darker than legends suggest.
The Truth About the Philosopher’s Stone
Edward discovers that the Stone is created using human lives as fuel, making its power morally abhorrent. This revelation forces Edward to confront whether achieving his goal is worth sacrificing others, reinforcing one of the franchise’s strongest themes: power gained through cruelty is never true salvation.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Edward confronts Father Cornello, whose false miracles are powered by a corrupted Philosopher’s Stone. As the truth unfolds, Cornello is exposed as a fraud manipulated by the homunculi.
The climactic battle pits Edward against Lust, whose regenerative abilities nearly overwhelm him. Edward ultimately defeats her by exploiting the Stone’s limitations, symbolizing his refusal to rely on stolen lives.
Meanwhile, Envy reveals himself as the one responsible for the Elric family tragedy, deepening Edward’s emotional scars. Although Envy escapes, the confrontation confirms that the brothers’ suffering was part of a larger conspiracy.
The film ends with:
- Cornello’s downfall
- The Philosopher’s Stone exposed as an immoral weapon
- Edward and Alphonse choosing to continue their journey without shortcuts
The brothers accept that restoring their bodies will require patience, sacrifice, and integrity. The ending deliberately avoids closure, positioning the film as the first chapter of a longer saga rather than a self-contained story.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes. There is a post-credits scene that teases the continuation of the story. It hints at deeper conspiracies within the military and foreshadows future confrontations with the homunculi, clearly setting up sequels.
Type of Movie
Fullmetal Alchemist is a live-action fantasy-action film with strong science fiction and philosophical elements. It balances large-scale combat with ethical questions about power, sacrifice, and humanity.
Cast
- Ryosuke Yamada as Edward Elric
- Atomu Mizuishi as Alphonse Elric
- Tsubasa Honda as Winry Rockbell
- Dean Fujioka as Roy Mustang
- Fumiyo Kohinata as Father Cornello
- Kanata Hongō as Envy
- Yasuko Matsuyuki as Lust
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Kenji Kawai, known for his work on Ghost in the Shell. His music blends orchestral intensity with somber undertones, reinforcing the film’s tragic themes and epic scale.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily in Italy, including locations such as:
- Cremona
- Milan
- Piacenza
These European settings were chosen to replicate the early 20th-century industrial aesthetic of Amestris, grounding the fantasy world in a realistic architectural style that enhances immersion.
Awards and Nominations
While the film did not win major international awards, it received recognition for:
- Visual effects
- Production design
- Faithful recreation of iconic characters in Japanese film circles
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The production used over 500 visual effects shots, unusually high for a Japanese live-action film.
- Edward’s automail arm was a mix of CGI and practical props.
- The cast trained extensively in physical movement to replicate anime-style combat realistically.
- The director openly acknowledged the difficulty of condensing a long-running manga into one film.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on the manga Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa. Influences include:
- European military history
- Philosophical concepts from alchemy and metaphysics
- Classic war dramas and tragic fantasy literature
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several scenes exploring:
- Roy Mustang’s political ambitions
- Additional homunculus interactions
were removed to maintain pacing. No fully alternate ending has been officially released, but extended character moments exist in promotional materials.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Compared to the manga:
- The movie heavily compresses early story arcs
- Several characters are introduced earlier than in the source material
- Themes remain intact, but character development is simplified
- The film focuses more on Edward than the ensemble storytelling of the manga
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The failed human transmutation sequence
- Edward’s first State Alchemist battle
- The confrontation with Lust
- The revelation of the Philosopher’s Stone’s true nature
Iconic Quotes
- “A lesson without pain is meaningless.”
- “We don’t need a stone built on human lives.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Transmutation circles mirror exact manga panel designs
- Background military uniforms reference later story arcs
- Cornello’s sermons subtly quote future antagonists
- Envy’s expressions closely mimic anime facial frames
Trivia
- This was one of the most expensive Japanese live-action films at the time.
- Ryosuke Yamada dyed his hair repeatedly to maintain Edward’s look.
- The armor worn by Alphonse weighed over 40 kilograms.
- The film was always planned as a multi-part adaptation.
Why Watch?
If you appreciate moral complexity, tragic heroes, and richly built fantasy worlds, this film offers a solid gateway into the Fullmetal Alchemist universe. While not perfect, it treats its source material with sincerity and ambition.
Director’s Other Works (Movies)
- Ping Pong (2002)
- Ichi (2008)
- Assassination Classroom (2015)
- Assassination Classroom: Graduation (2016)
