Early Japanese history?
 

Are there any movies or documentaries about early Japanese history (Yamato Period or earlier)?
Or even any kind of anime or manga?

hmmm...i wonder what should you do...
well this could help
click the link

• Phoenix(by Osamu Teduka)

  that story is fiction but Dawn(黎明編) is based on mythical age, Yamato(ヤマト編) is based on Yayoi period, Sun(太陽編) is based on Asuka period.
  

• ナムジ, 神武, 蚤の王(sorry, I don't know that English title:( )

  these are Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's manga.
  many personages are based on Japanese mythology.

I don't remember that movies or documentaries.
only manga, hahaha. If you can read some Japanese, please check this out.
歴史漫画(historical fiction manga?) Japanese Wikipedia

In Japan they have quite a few 時代劇 or era dramas on TV, but most take place about 1000 years after when you are looking for..usually in the edo period (because a lot involve samurais etc), but maybe there could be some from earlier. To be honest the yamato period is not so common as a basis for pop. culture, but is very popular as a basis for research and historical discussion (because of immigration from Korea, introduction of Buddhism, etc.) so you should find a whole lot of academic stuff on it if you search for it.

I am currently reading a book "Embracing Defeat" about Japan after the war. It is really interesting. I would like to read Japanese accounts of that time also. I recently saw a DVD "THE Sun"-- a russian film about Emperor Hirohito before the surrender. whether He was depicted in a true fashion I do not know-=- but it was quite compelling nevertheless. His speech was not on this film. According to the film-- true or not? --The Emperor denied his divinity. I wonder how many Japanese truly believed in his divinity prior to this?

On Britains Pathe Plus site-- I saw the Emperor when he visited this country before the war.

Also I am reading accounts of the Sarin attacks--compiled by HARUKI Murakami. It is fascinating to read-- one thing that comes through is the way that many of those who were affected by the sarin-- still tried to make their way to work.

It was a dreadful thing. It seemed strange how so many of those who were affected were not helped by passers- by or other travellers.

I wonder if something similar happened on the London Underground-- the non-reaction would be similar.