山田日後承認在開拍此片之前，已心諳渥美清的肺病步入末期，決定此章為最後一章，並安排由淺丘瑠璃子演的莉莉送寅次郎踏上人生的最後一程。分別15年後，兩人於如詩如畫的奄美大島重逢，感情依舊，鬥氣繼續，沒完沒了似的。正如山田所想，雖然系列必須完結，但始終不想為寅次郎的故事／人生劃上句號。結局如常開放，代表寅一直繼續他的旅程，日本人依然有夢。
公映後翌年，渥美清病逝，享年68歲，本片亦成為他的遺作。
Yamada knew before production began that Atsumi"s health has deteriorated to such an extent that Tora-san to the Rescue would be the last film in the series. He decided to let Lily accompany Tora on his last trip. The lovers reunite after fifteen years in the picturesque Amami O Shima, and the affections as well as the bickering remain. Although the series must come to its conclusion, Yamada has deliberately left the film"s ending open, so as not to let the curtain fall on "Tora-san". Atsumi Kiyosh passed away at the age of 68 in the year following the film"s release, making this film his last.
