MovieChat Forums > Kakushi-toride no san-akunin (1960) Discussion > I didn't like the music in this!!!

I didn't like the music in this!!!

posted 19 years ago by BadWebDiver
5 replies | jump to latest

I'm probably going to be lynched by fans of Oriental music for this comment; but I thought the music was the worst aspect of this movie. Yeah it was "different" and some scenes worked - particularly the heroic reaction shots towards the end.

But most of the time it was totally distracting from the story. It didn't blend in tothe action likemostgood film music is supposed to do. The bangs and crashes and little tiddly bits were **extremely** annoying as the movie progressed. It mihght have worked as an instrumental piece of it's own, but it certainly didn't work as a film score.

To me, it totally spoiled what was otherwise a rather great story. I wouldhave rated this film a lot higher otherwise.

I told you over a hundred million times - STOP EXAGGERATING!!!

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] thestand61 11 years ago

wow just watched this movie and the only thing i kept thinking about the music was that it reminded me of the original planet of the apes music!

[–] pfr_77 9 years ago

That was actually Kurosawa's intention. I might be slightly off with this explanation, but from my understanding, the gist of it is instead of "underscoring" which is what most film scores are like (being "felt" in the scene but never heard or bringing attention to itself) Kurosawa wanted it to accent what was happening on screen, specific gestures or lines of dialogue. He gave the film the same sort of instrumentation as if it were a Noh play, and the score was period appropriate, like, if The Hidden Fortress had been a play in the time that the film actually takes place, that is how it would have been done. Stephen Prince explains this a bit more succinctly in his Criterion commentary. Next time I watch it I'll try to clean this post up, or maybe someone more knowledgeable can clarify.

[–] PreachCaleb 7 years ago

Very interesting. I'll definitely have to listen to that commentary.

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Very good points. I look forward to reading your additional observations after the next time you watch this.